The Field Visit Report of the CSIAP in Northern Province

1.    INTRODUCTION

This report outlines the findings and observations from the field visit to Northern Province as part of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The primary objective of the visit was to monitor ongoing activities related to climate resilience, assess the implementation challenges faced by the project, and engage with local stakeholders to improve project outcomes. Key observations and findings regarding the implementation of environmental and social safeguards for sub-projects in Northern Province, as identified by the Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist, are detailed in this document. The report serves as a guiding resource for the contractor, partner agencies, and provincial CSIAP staff, outlining necessary follow-up actions to address identified issues. The field visit took place on December 19, 20, & 21, 2024, and was attended by Mr. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director of CSIAP, along with other specialists in relevant subject areas. Mr. George Babu, Deputy Project Director of the CSIAP in Northern Province and his team organized and facilitated the field observations.  

2.   OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD VISIT

·       To monitor the status of ongoing activities and their alignment with climate resilience objectives.

·       To assess environmental management practices and compliance with the Environmental Management Plans (EMP).

·       To engage with local stakeholders, including the Hon. Governor, the Provincial Steering Committee, Provincial CSIAP staff and beneficiary communities.  

3.   KEY OBSERVATIONS

·       Environmental Management: Close monitoring of the EMP was conducted, ensuring that rehabilitation works did not adversely impact surrounding ecosystems, particularly forest areas, tank ecosystems and paddy fields. It was emphasized that for every tree removed during sub-project implementations, five trees must be planted as compensation, thereby aiming to restore the lost ecosystems.

·       Safeguard Procedures: During discussions with the Honorable Governor and the Provincial Steering Committee, the Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist clearly outlined the environmental and social safeguard procedures necessary for project implementation. It was highlighted that the tank rehabilitation works could potentially impact the livelihoods of farmers in downstream areas. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the affected farming communities and provide them with livelihood enhancement activities, such as the provision of seeds and other compensatory measures.

·       Support of the Hon. Governor, Northern Province: 

A productive meeting was held with the Governor of the Northern Province, who expressed a willingness to support ongoing project initiatives and future actions. During this meeting, the Honorable Governor was informed about the project's commitment to conducting environmental and social screenings for every sub-project. This process is essential for identifying potential environmental and social risks associated with the sub-projects during the design and planning stages under the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP). The importance of complying with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies was emphasized, alongside adherence to the national environmental regulatory framework. The Honorable Governor was provided with practical examples from this project to illustrate the significance of these screenings.  

·       Chance Found Landmines: The team was made aware of the potential presence of chance-found landmines, remnants from the civil period. The Environment Specialist explained the established procedures for addressing such findings, ensuring safety compliance during project implementation.  

 The procedure for addressing chance-found landmines was explained as follows. The Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist requested that CSIAP project staff incorporate the mitigation measures outlined below into the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for future sub-projects implemented under the CSIAP.  

Chance Find Antipersonnel Landmines

1.     Immediately stop construction activities if antipersonnel landmine fields discovered

2.    With the approval of the resident engineer delineate the discovered landmine engulfed area. Red and white marking signs shall be used as provided below to mark mined or potential risk areas. Signs and hazard markers should be clearly visible in daylight at a distance of 30m. Mine marking tape should also be used to indicate the boundary between safe and hazardous areas.

3.    Ensure to prevent any risk to the nearby residents and the workers in the construction site, for this the Contractor shall station a night guard until the responsible authority takes over.

4.    Through the Resident Engineer, the Contractor shall notify the responsible authorities i.e. the Police or Regional Mine Action Office (RMAO) immediately within 24 hours.

5.     It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to mark the mine area on temporary basis as a strategy to make the general public aware on the impending danger/risk, and this activity has to be carried out until the RMAO or police arrives at the site.

6.    Where marking points have been done adjoined to residential areas, it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to communicate the message of marking for the danger/risk to the residents. 

7.     Signs and hazard markers should not be made out of munitions casings, materials that may have contained explosives, or discarded weapon systems.

8.     Once land mine survey is completed by the RMAO, the Contractor under the supervision of the DPD Office shall obtain a completion survey report which contains the mine clearance certificate meeting the recommendations/guidelines of the National Mine Action Programme.

Contractor Work Monitoring: The team observed that the contractor involved in the rehabilitation of tank bunds was generally adhering to project guidelines. However, challenges related to the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), particularly regarding tree removal practices, were noted in a very few sites. It was specifically observed that a fewer number of felled trees were scattered across few project sites during the rehabilitation process. The need to ensure that these felled trees are properly handed over to the State Timber Corporation was emphasized during the field visit.  

·       Community Engagement: Discussions with beneficiary communities revealed a positive reception of the CSIAP efforts.  

Solar-powered Electric System: 

The community has been provided with a solar-powered electric system under the CSIAP to efficiently irrigate their field crops while conserving energy. This initiative serves as an exemplary model of how a climate-resilient irrigation system can enhance agricultural practices.  

By utilizing solar energy, farmers can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. This mechanism not only decreases operational costs associated with traditional irrigation methods but also ensures a reliable water supply even during dry seasons. Additionally, it enables farmers to cultivate crops more effectively, increasing yields and improving food security. Overall, this sustainable approach helps mitigate the impacts of climate change while promoting economic resilience within the farming community.  

Agro -wells: 

CSIAP team witnessed the successful implementation of climate resilience agricultural practices by the farming community. One such mechanism is the implementation of agro-wells. Agro-wells provided to the farmer community via CSIAP proved to be more efficient and targeted irrigation practices, such as drip irrigation, which minimizes water wastage and ensures that crops receive the optimal amount of water necessary for growth. This efficiency is crucial in water-scarce regions such as northern province in Sri Lanka increasingly affected by climate change.  

By tapping into underground water resources, agro wells reduce farmers' reliance on surface water sources that may be affected by climate change, such as rivers and lakes that can dry up. This diversification helps mitigate risks associated with climate impacts.  

Steering Committee Engagement: Engagement with the Provincial Steering Committee highlighted the need for focused efforts on future compensatory tree planting programs, underscoring their importance for environmental sustainability.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

·       Conduct Environmental Screenings: Implement mandatory environmental screenings for all sub-projects under the CSIAP, ensuring compliance with World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies. This is in addition to adhering to the compliance with national laws.

·       Enhanced Environmental Monitoring: The Provincial CSIAP staff is required to regularly engage with contractors and field supervision staff to ensure strict adherence to the EMP, particularly regarding tree removal and ecosystem preservation.

As part of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the following mitigation measures must be implemented by the contractor:

1.     Tree Compensation: For each tree removed, five new trees will be planted to compensate for the loss and support ecosystem restoration.

2.    Protection of Remaining Flora: Ensure that all remaining vegetation is protected during construction activities.

3.    Erosion Control: Implement measures to prevent soil erosion in areas where vegetation has been cleared.

4.    Monitoring and Reporting: Establish a monitoring framework to ensure that tree planting efforts are executed effectively and report progress to the project management unit regularly.  

·       Chance Found Landmines Protocol: Ensure that all personnel involved in project implementation are trained on procedures for identifying and managing chance-found landmines to guarantee safety and compliance with relevant guidelines.

·       Compensatory Tree Planting Programs: Develop a detailed plan for the compensatory tree planting program, involving the Provincial Steering Committee to identify suitable locations and species for planting.

·       Community Awareness Campaigns: Initiate campaigns to educate local communities about the benefits of environmental conservation and sustainable practices, particularly concerning tree removal and land use.

·       Stakeholder Engagement Continuity: Establish regular follow-up meetings with  the Provincial Steering Committee to maintain support and proactively address any emerging challenges.

·       Monitoring and Reporting Framework: To ensure effective ongoing monitoring and evaluation of environmental impacts, as well as community feedback, a robust framework must be developed to inform adaptive management strategies. To facilitate this, a geo-based environmental monitoring system, such as KOBO ToolBox, should be introduced. Additionally, the contractor must receive training on this system to enhance its outputs and effectiveness.

5. CONCLUSION

The field visit to the Northern Province proved to be a critical engagement opportunity for the CSIAP team. The insights gained will be invaluable in addressing the challenges faced, promoting compliance with environmental standards, and ensuring the success of the project's climate resilience objectives. Continued collaboration with local stakeholders will be essential in navigating the path forward for the project’s success.

By Gamini Subasinghe, Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist, PMU, CSIAP