Nepal - Power Development Project : resettlement plan (Vol. 2 of 6) : Resettlement and rehabilitation policy framework entitlement policy

 q v2 RP1477,, Annex 2 Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy Framework Entitlement Policy A. Eligibility Criteria Persons in the following two groupfare entitled to compensation for loss of land or water resources tal>~ for project purposes: a) those who have formal legal rights to land or water resources (including customary and traditional rights recognized under the la\\'s of Nepal): and b) those who do .~ot have formal legal rights to !and or \\·ater resources at the time the census begins but. have a claim to such legal rights - e.g. rights derived from adverse possession. from continued possl.!ssion of public lands without official action for eviction or from customary and traditional law and usage - provided that such claims become recognized undl.!r the laws of !'\epa! through an appropriate process. Displaced persons in tht:se two groups are also entitled to compensation for loss of other assets. in particular structures and crops. The absence ,~f legal title to land or water resources is not. in itself. a bar to compensation for lost assets or other resettlement assistance. A third group of displaced persons - those who are occupying land in violation of the laws of Nepal and who do not fall within the category described abo\'e - is not entitled to compensation for loss of land under this poliey. However. if such' persons have uninterrupted pussession of the land for :~tlca:;t one year prior to the census. they arc entitled to resettlement assistance in lieu of compens:~tion for land. All displaced persons occupying the land on the date the census begins are entitled to compensation for loss of assets other than land. in particular. structures and crops. B. Resettlement Entitlements I. The entitlement policy is designed to enable PAFs to replace the assets they have lost on account of the project, to recover and to improve upon their pre-project living standards within the shortest possible time. In general. the R&R package would consist of (a) provision for replacement assets or its cnsh equivalent, where replacement is not feasible; (b) rehabilitation grants to compensate for temporary disruption in life and economic activities; (c) either employment or training, capital and enterprise support for income restoration in case of loss of livelihoods; and (d) provision for replacement of community facilities and services for affected communities. I 2. The entitlement policy described here is of a general nature. The entitlements / described below cover only broad categories and common situations. Sub-project 25  RAPs will be required to translate these into sub-project specific entitlement packages according to the nature of R&R issues at the sub-project location. The unit of entitlements for compensation of assets acquired sh;1IJ be the project affected family (PAF), consisting of the 0\mer/occupicr of the property being affected and his/her immediate family (spouse, minor children and aged dependents without independent means of livelihood). Adult children shall not be paid separate compensation for joint property holdings if the property has not been transferred to the ch~l";~: ' 3. The specific entitlements for R&R shall be laid out in an Entitlement Matrix for each sub project which accommodates pro\'isions of this policy framework and is operable within existing laws and regulations ofNepal.As pl'r Nepali law, HMGN will establish a CFR!\1 Commiit~e with the participation of th..: PAFs for each project where property is "to be acquired. The CFR.l'l1 Committ~e will determine market cost and values for the property and assets to bi! acquir.:d. 4. As a general rule. PAFs losing agricultural land will be comp..:nsated through "land for land'" arrangements of equal productive capacity. ~~Itisfactory to them. If such land is not avai!Jble in the vicinity or if the land a\·ailab!c is unacceptable to PAFs. compens::Jtion in cash. at full replacement value. will be proYided to farmers. In addition. PAFs who are forced to relocate or k1~l" agricultural land \\ill be compensated for the loss of standing crops. fruit trees or uthcr trl!es at full market \'alue. as prO\·idcd in the sub-project Entitlement :-.1:!\rix. 5. Rehabilitation measures for SPAFs losing agricultural land ''iII. at a minimum, consist of preferential employment on construction work in the sub-project. provision of agricultural inputs and/or livestock to help restor..: production levels, and additional measures as may be appropriate depending Pn the severity of adverse impact on the SP:\Fs. 6. PAFs whose houses are affected by the Project will be pro\·id..:d with (a) replacement of residential land of equiYalent size (minimum :200 sq m in rural areas) as close to the original location as possible. (b) cash cpmpensation reflecting the full replacement value of the structure without depreciation. and (c) Dislocation Allowance equivalent to two months average agricultural income in the sub-project area. If the residential land and/or structure is cmly partially affected by the Project. the promoter may, if it is acceptable to the PAF, acquire the entire structure with full compensation, as stated above. or provide cash compensation for the portion affected as mutually agreed between the PAF and the promoter. 7. Lessees/tenants and squatters who have built their 0\\11 house but do not 0\\11 the residential land \',ill be assisted in finding an alternate living site, compensated in full for their house structure, provided assistance to rebuild their home, and p:tid the Dislocation Allowance. Those who do not o·wn the residential premises will be provided with cash compensation at the replacement value for any structure they have erected and a cash grant of six months' rental fee and \\ill be assisted in finding alternative accommodations. PAPs will also be provided compensation at 26  full replacement cost, without anr deduction for depreciation, for any other fixed assets affected in part or in full by the Project. 8. Project affected persons nmning a small business establishment on property to be acquired are entitled for an alternative location in vicinity with equivalent land area to reestablish business; compensation for Joss of income during transition . months period (but not less than two , income); and replacement value for lost structures an d transp~!ton costs. 9. Fanners or workers (all affected persons, including adult children over 18 years) losing his/ her previous occupation are eligible for rehabilitation and support to ensure restoration of income; trNning; income restoration gr:.mt; job placement or institutional suppo.~ f~r s~lf employment; and micro enterprise establishment. 10. In accordance with current practice in Nepal, tenants and lcs~ccs will be paid 50 percent of the land compensation as their share for the Joss orlivelihood due to land acquisition. 11. In cases where community infrastructure such as schools. EH:tMies. water sources, roads. sewage systems. electrical supply, or other communit: resources such as a woodlot or pasture is lost. their replacement will be at no w:;t to the community. 12. For transmission and distribution lines, the land within the buffer zone prescribed in Electricity Regulations (1993) \\ill be acquired and affectt.:J persons will be provided compensation at replacement costs. C. People's Participation I. The PAFs will panicipate throughout the various stages ofth.: resettlement activities and in the land acquisition process. They will be c0nsu!ted by the competent authorities and will be invited to participate in public meetings held by the respective promoter and'or by the consultants carrying 0ut the SIA. These meetings will be an occasion to discuss project impacts and development needs and potentials and \\ill provide a forum for the PAFs to express opinions and offer their suggestions. · 2. The PAF's ''ill be publicly informed by the relevent authorities about the detruls of resettlement and SD activities for the respective sub-projects. So as to enhance the transparency of operations the information made public and accessible to each household \\ill include cut-off dates for each sub-projects, entitlements, eligibility criteria, modes of compensation, complaints and grievances redress procedures. C.\T£Ml'\PDF_novanba99 doc 27  Annex3 Outline of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) 1. Project Description • Physical, so~!al, and econorr6c characteristics of the project area, witb maps; il· • • Major features of the proposed project; • Summary description of the extent of land acquisition needed for the project. and its expecte.d, adverse social impact; • Analysi.s of major social groups likely to be adversely affected, and their special characieristics i11 relation to the project; • Impact on archaeological sites and cultural property: • Identification of the principal stakeholders in the project; • Over\'iew of the resettlement steps envisaged within the project. 2. The RAP Preparation Process • The preparatory process for the RAP: • Principal agencies and personnel responsible for the r:cparation and appraisal of the components ofthe R/1.P: • Consultation process with different stakeholders e.g .. goverrunent agencies. potential user groups. PAFs and NGOs. during the preparatory process. 3. Census Data and Socio-Economic Assessment Socio-economic data of project area and expected social impact of the proposed project based on the census and socio-economic survey: • Details of land and other assets to be acquired by project on a temporary or pennanent basis: • Occupation and income levels of PAFs: • Access to benefits, and negative consequences on different social groups-- landowners vs. tenants/landless laborers, large fanners \'S. small O\'.ner- operators. 0\\ners \"S. squatters. males vs. females, IC1C:J.I vs. regional/national beneficiaries-- equity issues; • Changes in tenure and patterns of resource use by different groups as a result of the project; • Extent of relocation of PAFs under the sub-project; . • Data on the proposed resettlement site(s) and host population(s), including existing pattern of land use, existing infrastructure and services, and economic opportunities for the additional population at the resettlement site(s) (applicable only for cases where relocation to a new site is involved); • Access to social services prior to, and after, completion of the project; 28  4. Policy of Entitlements • National, state, and local Laws and Rules on land acquisition and resettlement applicable and relevant to this project; • Eligibility policy for PAFs, criteria for different categories of PAFs, cut- ofT dates for eligibility; . , • Development*Entitlement Matrix from Policy Framework, retaining the different types of loss/impacts applicable to the sub-project (see the following format ) ENTITLEMEl'.'T MATRIX (Applicable to Sub-Project) Type of loss Definition of Definition of Application Organization(s) I impacts entitlement entitled guidelines responsible person/unit : 5. Participation • Identification of sub-project stakeholders; • Pre\'ious experience of the local population (particularly negative experiences) v.ith development projects and resettlement; • Role of stakeholders at different stages of the resettlement project cycle -- consultations, implementation, and monitoring: • Institutional mechanisms to facilitate participation; • Expected outputs of participation by stage of project cycle. 6. Consultation and GrieYance Procedures • Major resettlement issues to be discussed with PAFs and other stakeholders; • Process and time table proposed for consultation \\ith PAFs; • Public information, and information dissemination program on project implementation and resettlement issues, on a continuing basis; I • Mechanisms established for redress of grievances. / 29 7. Implementation Mechanisms and Due Process Implementation procedures proposed for delivery of key entitlcm~nts and the process for establishment of adequate replacement value: • Land-for-land provisions, including the location, quality, and present economic use of the land to be provided as replacem~nt for acquired land; • Additional incentives to be provided to supplement land-for-land provisions. including cost of1elocation, subsidy for inputs, service network: :1)/;, • Determinatio~ of replacement \'alue, and modalities of payment; • Provisions to compensate tenants/share-croppers. squ:nters and others v.ith temporary tenure or lien on property being acquired: • Process of relocation. in~Juding development of resL·ttkment sites, transitiona_harrang~ments, housing. etc.: • Acquisition ofresources.managed as common property (CPRs): • replacement Yalue of CPRs • compensation for CPRs among its multiple 011 ners-'uscrs • access to CPRs after project completion or ;:tltcrnJ.tive arrangements to access equiYalent resources: • Measures proposed to provide additional n:habilit:~:it•n to SP:\Fs (e.g .. access to project rdatcd ser•ices. employment oppont:nitics. or public social scn·ices) in lieu of the personal loss they arc in,urring for a public good. 8. Analysis of Alternatives and Assessment of Resettlement ~itcs • Alternatives to project design identified during R.--\P preparation. panicularly those altcmati\·cs where minor modificJtiL)Jl to the project ma.x reduce adHrse effects. resulting in signific:~nt rescttkrncnt benefits: · • Assessment of proposed rural resettlement sites or urhan housing schemes in terms of existing sen·iccs. capacity to absorb addition:~] popul:ltion, prospects for assi'milation within. or conflicts with th.: host population; • Assessment of measures proposed to improve infrastructure and services at the resettlement sites to ensure that the qu:~lity of lik of the resettled population is at least as good at the resettlement loc::nion as in their original habitat: • Prodsion of improved sen·ices to the host population (to aYoid future conflicts with the resettled population). 9. Income Restoration (IR) Programs • Existing skills and employment pattern ofPAFs: • Adverse impacts on employment pattern due to acquisition of land or other assets, or due. to relocation; • Feasibility analysis of income generation programs at the resettlement site(s) or at the existing location during the life of the project, and in the post-project period; • Training for employment promotion; • Access to credit and micro-enterprise support for affected persons; 30 C:\TE.\11'\PDf _,.,._...,,doc  • Institutional arrangements to manage IR programs on a sustained basis-- initiation, implementation, handing over, sustainability. 10. Institutional Capacity and Responsibility • Agency responsible for implementation of resettlement activities; • Previous experience of the agency in undertaking resettlement (the previous experience should b,; described and evaluated); • Organizationa).J.t~cture to mannge resettlement acti \'itics for the project; • Resources aYailable for resettlement, including stafting. financial resources and other facilities; • Budget for resettlement agency. including extent of lin:mcial authority; • Capacity. experience, art'd resources of community org:miz.1tions within the project are~'\ · • Capacity. experience. nnd resources ofNGOs active within the project area; • Coordination mechanisms between resettlement agcn..:y. locnl administration. line administration. PAFs. and 1'\GOs: • Technical Assistance needs and plans for staff cnp::u:it~ building. 11. Budget for Resettlement Operations • Assumptions underlying the budget and Total Estimated Cost of resettlement: • estimated cost of acquisition of bnd and other <JSScts and resettlement under the project: • initial capital investment for rehabilitation acti\ ities: • recurring costs for continued pro\·ision ofn:h:rbilitation service's and mitigation mcnsurcs: • cost of administr::nive o\'Crheads'implcment:llion management; • allocation for contingencies: • Detailed costs with identification of all major cost items for expenditure dwing the first phase of implementation (minimum two years): • Sources of funding, and financing responsibility by component; • Budgetary process and timing of expenditure; • Authorization process regarding spending, and de\·olution of financial powers for resettlement to the field level; • Financial accountability process-- the audit mechanism. 12. Monitoring & Evaluation (l\1&E) • Procedures and organizational set-up for internal monitoring of progress in resettlement operations -- M&E structure within implementing agency; • Monitoring and reporting procedures and formats to be followed for reporting progress with resettlement; ) • Participatory monitoring-- monitoring responsibilities ofNGO and conununity representatives; 31  • Provision for external, independent monitoring mechanism of resettlement; • Funding sources for M&E. 13. Action Plan for Implementation Prepare an Action Plan with a time line for resettlement implementation, coordinated with the proposed time table for project activities, beginning with a start date well enough in advance to make the land ava,.j.lable for project construction when it is needed: :1)11,. • Summarize coverage ofthe plan (time period, location of sites); • Draw up a list of key tasks to be perfom1cd to deliver the entitlements provided in the RAP (use the Entitlement Matrix as a checklist for activity list); ensure that all activities related to the following arc included: • acq1::lisitio'n of land and other assets • .. relocation • compensation • rehabilitation • IR programs • consultation processes • monitoring of resettlement imp:Jcts. • Incorporate critical acti\'ities 1cwnts rcbtcd to project construction/implementation which will ha\'e a bearing on the time frame;.: • Prepare a Plan of Operations for rcsettlcmcnt acth·itics. for the first phase (minimum 24 months) using the following format: Activities Responsibility Monitoring Ti !ill' frame Indicator 32  Annex 4 Outline of VULNERABLE COMMU!'i'ITIES DE\'ELOPi\IE:'\T PLAN Executive summary Part 1. The Backgroun'cf Chapter I. INTRODUCTION 1. Overall descripti.bn of the project :.~ffected an: a with map, indicating all i1abila.tlons . 2.· VulnerableCommunities and Land use prior In the project Chapter 2. VULNERABLE C0\1!\1U~ITIES r\~D THE PROJECT I. The area and the locntion of the sub-project. 2. Vulnerable communities (~thnic minorities anJ trib::~l groups) in the project affected area. their ccon0my and bnd tenure. 3. The effects of the sub-pwjcct on \'ulncrable wmmunities: • influx of outsiders: Officers 'skillc labor/contractors.'busincsscs • employment crc::~tion for loc::ll population • the break-up of social tics: communities/joint families • the change in gender roles (mcn'womcn) • the changing economy (from subsist~nce to money economy) • from agriculture to \\'age bbor • Change in nutrition 'health and the role of education • Other social groupings present in the project affected area (stakeholders). their economy and land tenure. • Pre\'ious community assistance by the Project in the area Chapter 3. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EI\VIR0::\\1ENT 1. The environment and community ,,-eJfare (quality of life) 2. Resettlement based on material losses of individuals/households, 3. Community based groups with a common development purpose (CBOs) C:IIDU'IPOF,IIOVallbcffl.dcc 33 Part 2. The Vulnerable Communities Dc\'clopmcnt Plan Chapter 4. THE PRESENT SITUATION- BASELINE II\ FORMATION (VILLAGE WISE) 1. Based on secondary sources, observations, key informants,and . ., fiOCUS ~IjlUP dISCUSSJOn 2. Charaete'ristics of communities in the village (population) 3. Map of each village with physical infrastructure and communities living area 4. A list of Community facilities (infrastructure) 5. Assessment of l~;titutions.'organizations/clubs/groups and Social Ser\\ce's i~ the localitv 6:. Status of Health and Literacy 7. Occupational structure and Poverty level Chapter 5. FELT NEEDS- C0:\1PO~E?\TS OF COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL DE\'ELOP/\1E:\T 1. Based on focus group discussions :md independent assessment .., Infrastructure support 3. Economic support 4. Social support 5. Cultural support Chapter 6. INSTITUTlO?\AL ARR..-\?\GD!E\TS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPME?\T 1. Existing institutional capacity: • in the communities • in the promoting agency • in the Government • in NGOs 2. Strengthening institutional capacity for desirable role in the project: • local government • the promoting agency • Non Governmental Organizations • Community Based Organizations • Village Level Voluntary Working Groups/village meetings Chapter 7. PARTICIPATORY PLAl\TNING AND IMPLEMENTATION 1. Strategy for community participation in planning and implementation 34  2. Community participntion in fom1ulation of this plan (focus group discussions) 3. Contribution of the communities via voluntary village working· groups (Operation and maintenance) 4. Contribution of the promoting agency (financial/services) Chapter 8. ISSUES IN IMPLEMEN'rATION 0' l; f!'f·' I ' I. Flow of funds 2. Criteria and process for selection of Facilitating NGO 3. Criteria and process for selection of specific Social Dc,·elopment ••f actiYities . •I Chapter 9. MONITORlNG AND EVALUATIO~ l. Reporting and internal monitoring by promoting agency 2. Participatory Monitoring and E\'alu:llion 3. External super>ision and e\·aluation Chapter 10. COSTS ESTIMATES. FU\:Dl\:G :\\:0 FINANCI~G AI'\'NEXES: a) Map of area b) Map of the Yillages c) Tribal Rights and Legal framework d) Methodological issues in the preparation of the VCDP: Experiences from field work and listening to. and planning "·ith communities 35  Annex 5 TOOLS FOR PUBLIC INFORJ\lA TION AND CONSULTATION Rationale The menu of tools for information disse,rin:llion and consultation offered below should be seen as a rang~J options. From which, the most appropriate tools can be chosen best reflecting the' needs of the facility and the locality at hand. It is recommended that. in all instances, the consultation process start with the stakeholder analysis; to identify key stakeholders who will need to be involved in order to assure project success; and to plan the ti!T)~g and level of intensity of their involvement. . ·'I . .. The tools rue based on the understanding that i!l[ormwion disseminalion \\·ill take place first followed by consultation~ Infonn:nion dissemination refers to one way communication; consultation is understood to go further. and invoh·cs t\\·o way communication/listening. This would ensure that information of the project attributes and issues rue shared with the community and project affected people. and their opinions and feedback are received and considered in project design. The out! ine of this d0cumcnt is as follo\\'s: I) Section A discusses S1akeholder Analysis as a preliminary neccssJ!")' first step to executing a consultation process: 2) Section B describes tools to be used for public information dissemination, and . approaches recommended: 3) Section C deals with tools for social impacl appraisal to surn:y the potential social impact of the power facility siting for communities in the enYirorunent of the site; and 4) Section D suggests tools for dircc/ consultation ofpotentially a.f(cctcd communities. Section A Stakeholder Analysis: a preliminar:r necessary step for any consultation strategy As a basic step for initiating a consultation process, it is essential to undertake a stakeholder analysis of groups to be targeted by the public information and consultation strategy. This implies undertaking a systematic analysis of interests of each key stakeholder in the proposed project, the likely effect of the project on those interests (positive, negative, neutral), the potential influence that stakeholders can have on the success of the project, and planning of timing and level of involvement/consultation of key stakeholders. 36 CoiTE!o!Yoi'DF _,.,...,,.,.,doc  Sec/ion B Tools for public information dissemination The following tools for public infonnation dissemination are suggested as ways to ensure full community awareness: a. use of public meetings, town meetings and hearing (which serve both the purpose of info~a~on dissemir6tion, as well as consultation of affected groups - see beloW) ' b. use of media: radio, local newspapers and local television: .. ( • aim for newspaper articles and media programs on the technic:.tl and socio- political -iss~es· in the project; and -· • establish intensive interpersonal rdations \\'ith the press. c. use of non-technical \\Titten materials. folders. posters and lcaOcts in the local language(s ): • to be displayed at public locations. such as market places. c0mmunity or to\\TI halls. police stations. public transport places. mosques. temples. etc. d. use of visual representations. videos. scak motkls (e.g., at public meetings) e. explore the option of organizing a study tour-- for the Proponent. local government officials. and possibly community leaders to projects of a similar. nature in other localities/states. highlighting the consultation str:Jtcgies used, invol\'ement of media. ~GOs and community organizations. Approaches suggested when using the tools In using the public information tools abo,·c. the follo\\"ing approach is suggested: collaborate with environmental NGOs. press, community organiz.1tions, medical professionals and the school system, whenever possible. on the public information campaign work through local traditional decision making bodies and leaders, whenever possible the topics to be addressed in the public information campaign may include: (a) how·power projects are an integral part of the development process; (b) how a power facility, transmission and distribution system works, what ,) local impacts can be expected and which can not; C,\TE.\Il'J'Df_.....,.ba9!1.doc 37  (c) the benefits that should accrue to the locul population associated with the project; (d) the role of the proponent in providing the benefits and mitigating negative impacts; (c) the role of the proponent,gon~mmcnt and \\'B respccti\'cly in the preparatio~d ~mplcmcntation of the project; (f) the process of site selection and EA (EIA). who arc im·oln:d and how the findings will be disscminntcd and fecdbnck; and (g) the ran~c of f~~ibl~·~itig:Hion alternati\'cs. if relc\'ant (including . when and tiow tmplementcd) . Section C Tools for social impact appraisal The social impact appraisal consists of t\I'O 1n:1jor wmpun~nts. both of \I hich are essential for social dc\'elopment planning. The major tools and mcthodolugics associated with the two components arc: a) Social Baseline: these tools and mcthCl•k,Jogics hdp to develop a community profile and to understand the social cont~:-.:t in the pr0jcct affected nrcJ so as to be · able to de\'clop realistic. sustainable m::magcmcnt pl:1ns which are acceptable to the local community. It is recommcnd~d that whcrc\·cr possible. social baseline studies employ participatory techniques to im·o]YC the affected community. and utilize local ~GOs for data collection and analysis. Thl:' basic tools consist of: • socio-economic sun·cy of san1ple housdll'lds to determine li,·clihood systems and current li\'ing standards • land use suncy. including formal and infom1al tenure systems, ov.nership and use-rights. and management of common property resources. to determine access of different social strata to bnd and other productive resources • community studies describing social structure and socinl relations in project affected area, including inherent pO\I·cr relations, caste and class structures, and the status of women, ethnic minorities/tribals, and other \ulnerable groups • institutional analysis of formal and infornJal conummity organizations for resource management, conflict resolution and maintenance of social norms; and of local government institutions or other local organizations established by other agencies for resource management or development j activities 38  • beneficiary consultations and focus group meetings to determine local perceptions about the project and to ascertain local development needs and potentials · • rapid assessment of project impacts to determine the extent and types of positive and negative impacts the sub-project is likely to have in the project affected area; this in~rmation will provide the basis for , determining tp.V,/~eed for resettlement action plan (RAP) and Vulnerable Communities De\;elopment Plan (VCDP) b) Social Impact Studies: the objective is to assemble detailed site specific information of project impacts ,quilding on the inform<ltion pro\'idcd by the Social Baseline for SO planning. The tools consist of: ' ·• . • Sitc-'spccific Entitlement matrix prepared hy applying the generic policy of entitlements to the specific conditions of the sub-proj~:ct cleJily identifying expected impacts. cl igibility crit<:ria and entitlements • Detailed census of affected persons and li\'cl ilwods affected pro\'iding demographic d::1ta of all persons who will be ~:ligible for some form of compensation or rehabilitation • Inventory of land and other assets being acquired under eminent domain for the sub-project In practice. the census and inYentory are usually carried Clllt simultaneously. In sub- projects where the number of PAPs is less than 200. or the number of SPAFs is less than 25. the census and inventory may en:n be combined with the collection of household socio-economic data for the social baseline. SO plans should be deri\·ed from the social baseline and the social impact studies and should include the participation strategies proposed for project implementation. For sub-projects where the number ofSPAFs exceed 25, the promoter will prepare an operational Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documenting the implementation arrangements for resettlement, including asset acquisition. compensation, relocation and rehabilitation in detail. The presence of ethnic minorities or tribals in the project affected area for any sub-project would require the preparation of a separate Vulnerable Communities Development Pla.n (VCDP) to ensure that the etlmic minorities/tribals are protected and provided development assistance in accordance v-.ith their O\\TI priorities. Even when affected persons are not deemed to be ethnic minorities or tribals, if their support is critical to project success, preparation of a regional development plan in consultation with them to ma.ximize their benefits from the sub-project is considered best practice. Alternatively, SO measures relevant to project success can be integrated v-.ithin the design of the sub-project itself. .) C \TE.\tJ'\I'DF _nov!ftlbetW.doc 39  Section D Tools for direct consultation with potentially affected communities The main vehicle for consultation with potentially affected communities and other stakeholders in the EIA process and beyond will be a group meeting with the major · stakeholders. Other means through whi~ communities can be directly consulted include: .. J1 J?'f•l I • a. organizing workshops involving go\'emmcnt officials, NGO and community representatives, local academics and professional interest group representatives: e.g., on a ~oping work . ;\ . b. holding pub/it meetings and,. hearings. at which local government officials and the proponent explain the objecti\'Cs of the project. listen to and document community concerns, unswer questions und request feedback from affected groups during the study-- public meetings generally require a strong but accommodating chair. somebody seen as more or less neutral, und able to deal with strong opinions. It is also recommended to us:: visual tools, such as video, photographs. slides and maps: c. establishing a ciii:en liaison or ach-isory committee. proYiding a two way communication between the Proponent und the c0mmunity. Membership would represent a cross-section of community int~n:sts: the committee would have a certain le\'el of access to the facility and members \\·ould be 'educated' by receiYing tours around the facility as wdl as cxp:;rt ad\·ice. The citizen committee may also be inYited. among others. to pl:1y an important role in monitoring the operation of the facility once it has b.:en constructed: and d. participatory monitoring by community members. pmicularly for those components of the project which directly affect them. ) C ITDIPII'DF_......,.bu99.doc 40