Environmental Monitoring
Group Members Tutor:
Bibek Khadka 077BCE032 Asst. Prof. Sukra Raj Poudel
Bipana Thapa 077BCE039 Department of Civil Engineering
Debendra Uparkoti 077BCE048 IOE, Pulchowk Campus
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Environmental Monitoring
Environmental monitoring is a critical component of an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. It ensures that
the predicted impacts of a project are accurately assessed, and
mitigation measures are effectively implemented.
In the context of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),
environmental monitoring refers to the systematic and ongoing
collection of data to track environmental changes that may
result from a project or activity.
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Purpose of Environmental Monitoring in EIA
•To track environmental changes due to project activities.
•To verify compliance with environmental regulations and
standards.
•To assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
•To provide data for adaptive management and decision-
making.
•Acts as an early warning system for any environmental
Damage
•Verify accuracy of impact predictions.
•Provide input for auditing
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Objectives of the Environment Monitoring
Protecting Human Health:
•Monitoring air and water quality to identify pollutants that can cause
health issues.
•Ensuring food safety by monitoring for pathogens and contaminants in
production environments.
Safeguarding the Environment:
•Tracking changes in ecosystems, such as deforestation, biodiversity loss,
and habitat degradation.
•Monitoring pollution levels in soil, water, and air to prevent long-term
environmental damage.
•Assessing the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather
events.
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Objectives of the Environment Monitoring
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Meeting legal requirements
and standards set by government agencies for pollution control
and environmental protection.
Stakeholder Information: Monitoring data can provide information
to stakeholders and the public about the environmental
performance of the project.
Providing Data for Research and Decision-Making: Collecting
data to understand environmental trends and patterns.
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Implementation:
Monitoring is a key component of the EMP, and it helps to ensure
that the EMP is being properly implemented.
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Environment Monitoring Process
Define objectives
Review data and information
Locate monitoring site with reference
Identify monitoring types & techniques
Characterize monitoring parameters
Define frequency
Define roles & responsibility
Define analysis & evaluation methodology
Allocate budget, staff & equipment
Define report format
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Key Environmental Parameters Monitored
Air Quality: Particulate matter (PM), NOx, SOx, CO, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs).
Water Quality: pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), heavy
metals, biological oxygen demand (BOD),
chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Soil Quality: Erosion rates, contamination levels, nutrient content.
Noise Levels: Decibel (dB) measurements to assess noise
pollution.
Biodiversity: Flora and fauna monitoring, habitat loss, species
population trends.
Socio-Economic Factors: Impact on local communities, health,
and livelihoods.
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Monitoring Parameters and Methods
Environmental Monitoring
Methods
Aspect Parameters
PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SOx, Air samplers, sensors,
Air Quality CO real-time monitoring
Water Quality pH, turbidity, BOD, Lab analysis, field
COD, heavy metals sensors, sampling
Soil Quality Nutrient levels, Soil sampling, lab tests
contamination, erosion
Noise Levels dB(A) levels, peak Noise meters, field
noise, continuous assessments
exposure
Biodiversity Species count, habitat Surveys, camera traps,
conditions satellite imagery
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Types of Environment Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Impact Monitoring
Compliance Monitoring
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Baseline Monitoring
Baseline monitoring in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
report refers to the process of collecting and analyzing environmental
data before a project begins
Purpose
•Identifies existing environmental conditions.
•Provides data for impact prediction and mitigation planning.
•Helps in setting up an environmental management and
monitoring plan.
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Components of Baseline Monitoring
•Physical Environment: Air quality, water quality, soil characteristics,
noise levels, climate conditions.
•Biological Environment: Flora, fauna, biodiversity, ecosystem
health.
•Socioeconomic & Cultural Aspects: Population demographics,
livelihoods, land use, cultural heritage sites.
Methods of Data Collection
•Field surveys, remote sensing, GIS mapping.
•Laboratory analysis of soil, air, and water samples.
•Socioeconomic studies through stakeholder consultations .
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Impact Monitoring
• This involves monitoring environmental parameters
during the construction and operation phases of the
project to detect any changes caused by the project.
• To ensure that the actual impacts in the field are well
within the manageable limit of the designed mitigation
measures and set standards
• Measurement of biophysical and socio-economic
parameters during the project construction and operation
phases
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Impact Monitoring
• Detection of environmental changes
• Result of project implementation
• Ensures sustainable development.
• Helps in adaptive environmental management
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Impact Monitoring Parameters
Physical Parameters: Levels of TSP, PM 10 SO2, NOx, noise
& health, no of accidents etc.
Biological parameters: Loss of trees, forest area, disturbance
to the movement of wild animals, fish species and population
etc.
Socio-economic: employment & living standard, health &
sanitation, type & no of occurrence of diseases etc.
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Compliance Monitoring
The compliance monitoring will be conducted to monitor compliance of the
proposed mitigation measures and monitoring activities. The compliance
monitoring will mainly focus on;
• compliance of the tender clause;
• compliance of the mitigation measures;
• timely and adequately implementation of Environmental Management Plan
• overall environmental and social performance of the project.
It is done by governmental agency, proponent of third party organization.
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Methods of Monitoring
1. Observation and Inspection
•Observation and inspection involve visually examining project activities,
surrounding environments, and compliance with regulations. It is a direct,
real-time method to detect environmental impacts.
•Involves visually assessing the site conditions and activities.
•Helps identify non-compliance, environmental degradation, or safety
issues.
•Example: Inspecting if construction sites have applied dust control
measures.
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Methods of Monitoring
2. Interview/Enquiry
This method involves collecting information from stakeholders, local
communities, and project personnel through structured or semi-structured
interviews.
•Involves discussions with stakeholders, workers, and community members.
•Helps gather qualitative data on environmental and social impacts.
•Identify issues that may not be immediately visible through physical monitoring.
•Example: Interviewing local farmers about changes in soil fertility after a
highway construction project
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Methods of Monitoring
3. Counting/Measuring
This method involves quantifying specific environmental parameters to assess
impacts. It includes physical, chemical, and biological measurements.
•Quantitative method to record environmental changes.
•Collect objective, numerical data on environmental condition.
•Can involve monitoring air quality, noise levels, biodiversity count, etc.
•Example: Measuring the number of fish in a river before and after the
construction of a hydropower dam.
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Methods of Monitoring
4. Sampling and Analysis
This method involves collecting environmental samples (air, water, soil, etc.)
and analyzing them in a laboratory to detect pollutants or other changes.
•Collecting environmental samples (air, water, soil) and analyzing them in a lab.
•Ensures compliance with environmental standards.
•Example: Testing river water for heavy metal contamination from mining
activities.
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Methods of Monitoring
5. Record Inspection
This involves reviewing official documents, reports, logs, and records maintained
by industries, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
•Reviewing official documents, permits, logs, and reports to verify compliance.
•Helps assess trends over time and detect irregularities.
•Cross-check data obtained from field monitoring with reported figures
•Example: Checking environmental audit reports submitted by a hydropower
company
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Location of Monitoring
Criteria for selecting monitoring locations:
• Proximity to Pollution Sources: Monitoring sites should be close to the
project site.
• Enviromentally sensitive area: Area rich in biodiversity should be monitored
for any impact on ecology.
• Community exposure and human health risk: Monitoring location should
include area where pollution can affect public health.
• Geographical and climatic factors: Geographic location and climatic pattern
determine how pollutants dispersed.
• Baseline and Control site comparison: Monitoring location should include
both impact and monitoring sites.
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Intensity of Monitoring
Intensity of monitoring refers to the frequency, depth, and scale of
environmental monitoring activities.
Intensity of monitoring varies according to project based on project size,
location, and environmental sensitivity. Also, it depends on the effect of specific
parameter on environment.
EPR 2077 suggest to at least conduct monitoring every 6-month by the
proponent and submit the monitoring report within 2 months from the end of
fiscal year.
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Environmental Parameter for Monitoring
Criteria for selecting parameters for monitoring:
Selecting environmental parameters for monitoring should be
• impact-specific
• scientifically valid
• legally compliant
• cost-effective
• Able to account small change in variable
The parameters need not to be same for every monitoring. And its scope change
according to the phase of the project.
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Environmental Monitoring Report
According to EPR 2077, the proponent should submit environmental monitoring
report annually.
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Environmental Monitoring Report
The prepared report should be submitted to respective ministry.
The monitoring report should be
prepared according to format given in
schedule-21 of EPR 2077.
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Environmen
tal
Monitoring
Legal Provision
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Environmen
tal
Monitoring
Legal Provision
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Environmen
tal
Monitoring
Plan
in EIA Report
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Environmental Monitoring Plan
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Environmental Monitoring Plan
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Water Quality Sampling
Maximum Concentration
Group Parameter Unit Limits
Turbidity NTU 5 (10)**
pH 6.5-8.5*
Color TCU 5 (15)**
Would not be
Taste & Odor
objectionable
Total Dissolved Solids mg/l 1000
Electrical Conductivity μc/cm 1500
Nepal’s Physical
Iron
Manganese
mg/l
mg/l
0.3 (3)**
0.2
Arsenic mg/l 0.05
Drinking Cadmium
Chromium
mg/l
mg/l
0.003
0.05
Water Cyanide
Fluoride
Lead
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
0.07
0.5-1.5*
0.01
Quality Ammonia
Chloride
mg/l
mg/l
1.5
250
Standard Sulphate
Nitrate
Copper
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
250
50
1
s Chemical Total Hardness
Calcium
mg/l
mg/l
500
200
Zinc mg/l 3
Mercury mg/l 0.001
Aluminum mg/l 0.2
Residual Chlorine mg/l 0.1-0.2*
Micro Germs E-Coli MPN/100ml 0
Total Coli form MPN/100ml 95 % in sample
Water Quality parameters
Air Quality parameters
• Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5)
• Total Suspended Particles (TSP)
• Sulpher dioxide (SOX)
• Nitrogen oxides (NOX)
• Carbon monoxides (CO)
• Ozone
• Benzene
Parameters Units Averaging WHO Concentration in Ambient Air, Test Method
Time Guideline maximum
National
TSP (Total Suspended μg/m3 Annual 120-230 - HVS 24 hour sampling( one weak sample
Particulates) on 2 road side station
24-hours* 230
PM10 μg/m3
Annual 70 - Light Volume Sampling
Sulphur Dioxide μg/m3
24-hours*
Annual 125
120
50 Diffusive sampling based on weekly
Ambient Air
Quality
average
24-hours** 70
Nitrogen Dioxide μg/m3
Annual 150 40 Diffusive sampling based on weekly
average
Standard,
24-hours** 80
Carbon Monoxide μg/m3 8 hours** 100000 10,000 To be determined before 2005
2069
15 minute 100,000 Indicative sampler
Lead μg/m3
Annual 0.5-1.0* 0.5 Atomic absorption spectrometry analysis
of PM10 samples
24-hours -
Benzene μg/m3 Annual - 5 Diffusive sampling based on weekly
average
24-hours -
PM2.5 μg/m3
24-hours 40
Ozone μg/m3 24-hours 157
Air Quality
parameters
National Noise Quality Standard, 2069
Environmental Setting Typical Range of Noise Leq (dB)
Day Night
Industrial area 75 70
Commercial area 65 55
Rural residential area 45 40
Urban residential area 55 50
mixed residential area 63 55
Quiet Places 50 40
Noise level
Analysis
Challenges in Environmental Monitoring in Nepal
Out of 237 approved projects EIAs, the Department of Environment
(DoE) has inspected only 12 projects (Joshi, 2017, p.7).
Key Challenges are;
Lack of Capacity and Expertise
Weak Enforcement of Regulations
Political and Institutional Challenges
Inadequate Data and Resources
Lack of Public Awareness
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