Suspensioning decision of hydropower dam in the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage registered forest
Authors
Abstract
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is regarded as a guidance document to attain and measure compliance with the mitigation requirements and environmental protection of projects, which are normally requirements for project approvals. The study mainly aims to present an Environmental Management Plan for dams whose construction was suspended by opposing stakeholders for the harmful impacts on the environment in forested areas. As a case study, the Hyrcanian forests (Caspian forests) are located in western Asia and were inscribed on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 2019. The construction of the hydropower Shafarood dam began in these forests in 1990. Because of budget deficits and the suspensions incurred by opposing activists in 2013, dam construction has only advanced by 23% ever since. To meet that aim, the research data was collected through analysis of documents, letters, articles, field visits to the construction site, and interviews. The semi-structured interviewing method was employed in holding interviews with governmental and environmental NGOs, local people, specialists, and academics because of their good cooperation. The results indicate that the most negative effects in the construction phase have been produced by deforestation and degradation of vegetation, source of material supply, settlement and livelihood of migrants impacted by dam impoundment, water, air and sound quality. Ultimately, an Environmental Management Plan was proposed for this dam and those under construction or suspended in forested areas to minimize the negative environmental effects of the Hydropower Shafarood dam, which technically concentrates on mitigating measures.
