XE BANG FAI POLICY

NTPC has established a proactive policy for managing the likely impacts on the livelihoods that would result from the change in the flow pattern of the Xe Bang Fai River. The Xe Bang Fai policy framework consists in anticipating as much as possible the likely impacts of the Project on this downstream area, while eliminating as much as possible assumed impacts before they could possibly occur thanks to the reasonable adaptation of the Project design. The policy also consists in the implementation of pre-emptive mitigation measures before commercial operations, and the continuous compensation for unforeseen impacts during the entire Project operation period.

In the framework of the consultation and disclosure process, the villagers define, in coordination with Project’s experts, the sort of programs that are the most appropriate to their situation. Also, a comprehensive socio-economic baseline survey has been completed, and detailed surveys of fish catches, river bank gardens, and domestic water use have commenced, and will continue through construction and Project operation period in order to:
Assess the current livelihoods,
Monitor the fall or rise in fish catches, the loss of riverbanks assets and garden, the water quality, and thus,
Provide a clear basis on which to estimate any possible mitigation shortfall and fine tune compensation requirements.

Riverside Gardens and Assets

In order to mitigate the impact of the likely erosion that could occur during the first years of operations, bank protections will be constructed at the downstream channel / Nam Phit confluence with the Xe Bang Fai. Furthermore, a comprehensive monitoring program is being undertaken to monitor, measure and assess relevant aspects of livelihoods and incomes in villages along the Xe Bang Fai, including for riverbank garden systems and assets. In light of the results of these surveys, NTPC will consider either bank protection and/or houses and assets relocation in close coordination with the villagers to protect existing assets. In terms of gardens, higher water levels (+ 4 m in dry season / + 1.5 m in wet season at Mahaxai) and erosion of the riverbanks in the upper reaches will lead to some losses that have been anticipated between 30% and 70% of existing riverbanks gardens. A riverbank gardens replacement program funded by the Project and aimed at helping people to redevelop new gardens higher on the river banks will be implemented one year before the beginning of commercial operations.

Fisheries

It is recognised that the existing conditions in downstream fisheries may undergo some modifications mainly due to the change of water flow. In the long run, the increased flows will likely have a positive effect on fisheries. Aquatic biodiversity studies have found no fish species endemic to the Xe Bang Fai River, and while some species may deplete, others might flourish. However, there may be a decrease of fish catch during the first years of operation due to, (a) the modification of fish habitats, (b) the possible negative effects of water quality in the early years, and (c) the need for the villagers to modify fishing techniques adapted to higher and faster waters. Anticipating the likely impacts and in order to prepare the villagers, NTPC has prepared a budget for a fisheries replacement program aimed at digging fishponds. The programme will start implementation three years before the beginning of commercial operations.

Domestic water
It is anticipated that the water in the reservoir and the downstream water releases will be of good quality and will improve further with time. Nevertheless, to avoid any risk with water quality for domestic uses during the first years of operations, NTPC has committed to dig domestic water wells one year before the beginning of commercial operations in potentially affected villages along the Xe Bang Fai.

Irrigation

Though NTPC will not be in charge nor will directly promote dry season irrigation for rice double cropping in the Xe Bang Fai region, it is clear that the release of more water in the Xe Bang Fai thanks to the Project will provide opportunity for increased dry season cropping, which is fully consistent with the Government policy. Also, though modified water flow may require that modification be made (with financial support to be provided by the Project) to the flexible pump-to-supply connections, the overwhelming positive benefit will be the considerably more water during dry season, allowing more reliable dry season irrigation with cheaper pumping cost.

Transportation

Higher water will improve boat navigation along the river all year long. Because of the river widening in some areas, the Project has committed to purchase additional boats to villages for the purpose of river crossing.

In general, the support that will be provided by the Project is aimed at assisting the population to smoothly adapt to the modification of the river morphology and resources, while learning to take advantage of the extra waters for dry season irrigated agriculture. In the long run, people along the Xe Bang Fai and downstream areas will take up the economic opportunities generated by the Project, with livelihood models more focused on irrigated agriculture, fish and livestock raising, trading and services.