The project triggers Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 as it might cause minor potential environmental impacts arising from implementation of Components A and C. To address this, the borrower has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), which identifies multiple enhancement opportunities in the project and proposes ways of mitigating small negative impacts.

Component A that will set up monitoring stations, data centers, and associated facilities and infrastructure, may have minor construction-related environmental impacts. Construction-related impacts will be managed by application of National Building Codes in designing and construction of the small buildings and careful in situ disposal of all construction wastes. The EA highlighted the seriousness of water quality issues and the risk that water quality may be marginalized by a typical focus on quantitative measurement. As a result, Component A has mainstreamed substantial investment in augmenting water quality monitoring in the country. Monitoring of water quality and incorporation of good environmental principles in the process of preparation of basin plans have been mainstreamed in the project. The IAs have some of the requisite capacities for undertaking water quality monitoring, as well as preparing basin/sub-basin plans. Capacity gaps, with respect to analyses of water quality information and undertaking special purpose water quality studies, where relevant, have been identified, and the necessary capacity building plans are an essential component of the project.

Component A that will set up monitoring stations, data centers, and associated facilities and infrastructure, may have minor construction-related environmental impacts. Construction-related impacts will be managed by application of National Building Codes in designing and construction of the small buildings and careful in situ disposal of all construction wastes. The EA highlighted the seriousness of water quality issues and the risk that water quality may be marginalized by a typical focus on quantitative measurement. As a result, Component A has mainstreamed substantial investment in augmenting water quality monitoring in the country. Monitoring of water quality and incorporation of good environmental principles in the process of preparation of basin plans have been mainstreamed in the project. The IAs have some of the requisite capacities for undertaking water quality monitoring, as well as preparing basin/sub-basin plans. Capacity gaps, with respect to analyses of water quality information and undertaking special purpose water quality studies, where relevant, have been identified, and the necessary capacity building plans are an essential component of the project.

The EA, including its Executive Summary, was disclosed in-country on June 16, 2016 and in the World Bank InfoShop on June 29, 2016, and can be accessed from the website of the ministry (www.mowr.gov.in) and http://www.nhp.mowr.gov.in.

Overall, the project will contribute to sustainable environmental management in India and will build capacity in environmental management. Greater use of hydrological models and analytical tools based on improved data will help incorporate mainstream environmental concerns into water resources planning and management. Project investments will make it easier to collect information on environmental impacts, identify issues, and implement measures aimed at diminishing adverse effects and enhancing positive ones.