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Initial Environmental Examination
Supplemental Report – Critical Habitat Assessment Document:
Initial Environmental Examination (Draft)
Date: December 2020
Loan 3285-UZB: Northwest Region Power Transmission Line
Project:
Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation
220kV Transmission Line Project
Prepared by the Joint-Stock Company National Electric Grid of
Uzbekistan (NEGU) for the Asian
Development Bank (ADB).
The Initial Environmental Examination is a document of the
borrower. The views expressed herein do not
necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors,
Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in
nature.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any
project, or by making any designation of or
reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this
document, the Asian Development Bank does
not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status
of any territory or area.
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Preparing Sustainable Energy
Investment Projects, Regional Energy
Transmission and Dispatch
Enhancement, Uzbekistan
Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation
220kV Transmission Line Project
Critical Habitat Assessment
Date: December 2020
Prepared by the Joint-Stock Company National Electrical Networks
of Uzbekistan (NENU) for Asian Development Bank (ADB), Uzbekistan.
The Critical Habitat Assessment is a document of the borrower. The
views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's
Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in
nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any
project, or by making any designation of or reference to a
particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian
Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the
legal or other status of any territory or area.
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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
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3
2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
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3
3. CRITICAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS
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4
4. BIODIVERSITY CONTEXT
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4
5. CRITICAL HABITAT
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5
6. CONCLUSIONS
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18
APPENDIX A – CRITERIA 1 DETAILED ASSESSMENTS
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19
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1. Introduction 1. This report provides the findings of the
Critical Habitat Screening and scoping process for the proposed
Syrdarya TPP, Zafarabad Substation 220kV Transmission Line. It
identifies triggers for potential Critical Habitat in the Project
Area of Impact (AOI). The assessment has been desk-based and
involved a review of data from the Integrated Biodiversity
Assessment tool (IBAT) the Project Draft Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE) and other reliable data sources 2. The report is
compliant with the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009. The
IFC Guidance Note 6 (GN6) thresholds have also been adopted and
build on the ADB SPS. The first stage is Screening during which all
protected areas, habitats and species known or likely to be present
within 50km of the proposed project alignment are identified,
categorized by their nature conservation status and assessed on
whether they are or likely to be present in the AoI. The second
Scoping stage assesses each relevant ecological receptor against
the seven Critical Habitat criteria in accordance with the ADB
requirements and supporting IFC thresholds.
2. Project Description 3. The project alignment is illustrated
in Figure 1 and comprises 3 components:
Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation 220kV Transmission Line.
Construction of a new substation in Zafarabad.
Minor upgrades to the existing switchyard in Syrdarya TPP.
4. The Area of Impact for this project is 1km buffer around all
project activities.
Figure 1: Project transmission line alignment and substation
locations
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3. Critical Habitat Requirements 5. Critical Habitat (CH) is
defined in the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) (2009) as a
subset of both natural and modified habitat that has high
biodiversity value and deserves particular attention. Critical
Habitat is based on the following seven criteria: 1) habitat
required for the survival of critically endangered or endangered
species 2) areas having special significance for endemic or
restricted-range species 3) sites that are critical for the
survival of migratory species 4) areas supporting globally
significant concentrations or numbers of individuals of
congregatory species 5) areas with unique assemblages of species
or that are associated with key evolutionary
processes or provide key ecosystem services 6) areas having
biodiversity of significant social, economic, or cultural
importance to local
communities 6. The SPS also states that CH includes: 7) areas
either legally protected or officially proposed for protection,
such as areas that meet
the criteria of the World Conservation Union classification, the
Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, and the United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s world
natural heritage sites.
7. To help determine if Critical Habitat is present the
International Finance Corporation (IFC) Guidance Note (GN) 6 has
been adopted throughout this process. IFC GN6 gives specific
numerical thresholds that can be applied to the Critical Habitat
Requirements set by the ADB SPS. These thresholds are broadly based
upon globally standardised numerical thresholds published in IUCN’s
A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas
and Red List Categories and Criteria. The thresholds are indicative
and serve as a guideline for decision-making only. There is no
universally accepted or automatic formula for making determinations
on critical habitat. 8. The first stage of the assessment
researches and screens sensitive biodiversity features that may
regularly occur in the Project area of influence (AoI). Screening
is conducted using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool
(IBAT) which provides data of the biodiversity features present or
potentially present within 50km of the Project AoI. The IBAT
findings are supplemented with recent and reliable field data,
further desk-based study, f0r example, species present in local
designated sites, and data gathered for the IEE.
9. An assessment is made into whether each screened species
regularly occurs (as per IFC GN6) in the Project AoI and has the
potential to meet the ADB SPS criteria. The likelihood of regular
occurrence in the AoI is informed by the species’ ecological
characteristics including range size, habitat requirements,
movement, migratory routes, breeding sites and population
distribution.
10. All species that are likely to regularly occur in the AoI,
and that have the potential to meet ADB SPS critical habitat
criteria, are subject to more detailed analysis to confirm if they
trigger Critical Habitat. For certain species an ecologically
appropriate area of analysis (AoA) may be required to quantify the
importance of the local population.
4. Biodiversity Context
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11. The project is located to the east of Uzbekistan south of
Aydar Lake and north Zaamin National park near the Tajikistan
boarder. The landscape through which the alignment passes is mostly
flat and dominated by agricultural land. Cotton, wheat, rice, corn,
vegetables and fodder crops cover 86% of the Area of Influence (See
Figure 2). Landscaped planting including gardens comprises 4% of
the AoI. The remaining 10% comprises semi-arid sage-ephemeroid and
saltwort-ephemeroid pastures, and sedge saltwort and meadow-marsh
areas along the collectors and canals of the Syrdarya river
basin.
Figure 2: General environmental conditions of project area
12. The results of the initial screening assessment are
presented in Table 1. 461 species that have the potential to be
present within 50km of the project.
Table 1: Species present or potentially present within 50km of
the proposed route alignment.
Group Critically Endangered
Endangered Vulnerable Near Threatened,
Least Concern, Data Deficient
Total
Birds
1 5 9 263 278
Mammals
0 0 2 63 65
Reptiles
0 0 1 18 19
Amphibians
0 0 0 0 0
Fish
0 0 2 9 11
Invertebrates
0 0 0 34 34
Plants
0 0 0 52 52
Fungi
0 0 1 1 2
Total
1 5 15 440 461
5. Critical Habitat
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13. Of the total 461 species recorded within the 50km buffer
around the Project alignment 21 may meet the ADB SPS critical
habitat criterion. Each of the 21 was analysed in greater detail to
determine the likelihood of them regularly occurring in the AoI and
meeting the IFC GN6 critical habitat thresholds. Where relevant
AoA’s were developed to quantify the importance of the local
population.
14. Several species were found to meet more than one ADB SPS
critical habitat criterion and have been assessed against each
relevant criterion. Sensitive ecological receptors were identified
as regularly occurring for the following ADB SPS criterion:
Criterion 1 – Critically Endangered and Endangered Species
Criterion 2 – Endemic and Restricted Range Species
Criterion 3 – Migratory and Congregatory Species
15. Results of the analysis for each species are provided and
conclusions whether they trigger Critical Habitat are given. No
ecological receptors relevant to Criterion 4, 5, 6 or 7 were found
to regularly occur in the AoI.
5.1. Critical Habitat Requirement 1 – Critically Endangered and
Endangered Species
16. ADB Requirement one for critical habitat is areas required
for the survival of critically endangered or endangered species.
The corresponding IFC GN(6) guidance for this requirement adds
further detail to allow more accurate assessment, and is as
follows: a. Areas that support globally important concentrations of
an IUCN Red-listed EN or CR
species (≥0.5% of the global population AND ≥ 5 reproductive
units GN16 of a CR or EN species).
b. Areas that support globally important concentrations of an
IUCN Red-listed Vulnerable (VU) species, the loss of which would
result in the change of the IUCN Red List status to EN or CR and
meet the thresholds in GN72(a).
c. As appropriate, areas containing important concentrations of
a nationally or regionally listed EN or CR species.
5.1.1. Screening
Criterion 1(a) - Globally Endangered and Critically Endangered
Species 17. The following 6 globally endangered and critically
endangered species were identified as being potentially present
within 50km of the route, see Table 2.
Table 2: Endangered and Critically Endangered Species
potentially present.
Species name
Common name IUCN Category Taxonomic Class
1. Vanellus gregarius Sociable lapwing CR Aves
2. Aquila nipalensis Steppe eagle EN Aves
3. Falco cherrug Saker falcon EN Aves
4. Haliaeetus leucoryphus Pallas's Fish-eagle EN Aves
5. Neophron percnopterus Egyptian vulture EN Aves
6. Oxyura leucocephala White-headed duck EN Aves
Criterion1(b) – Globally Vulnerable Species
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The following 15 globally vulnerable species were identified as
being potentially present within 50km of the route, see Table
3.
Table 3: Vulnerable Species potentially present.
Species name Common name IUCN Category
Taxonomic Class
1. Cyprinus carpio Wild Common Carp VU Actinopterygii
2. Luciobarbus brachycephalus
Aral Barbel VU Actinopterygii
3. Gazella subgutturosa Goitered Gazelle VU Mammalia
4. Vormela peregusna Marbled Polecat VU Mammalia
5. Anser erythropus Lesser White-fronted Goose VU Aves
6. Marmaronetta angustirostris
Marbled Teal VU Aves
7. Aythya ferina Common Pochard VU Aves
8. Columba eversmanni Yellow-eyed Pigeon VU Aves
9. Streptopelia turtur European Turtle-dove VU Aves
10. Otis tarda Great Bustard VU Aves
11. Clanga Greater Spotted Eagle VU Aves
12. Aquila heliaca Eastern Imperial Eagle VU Aves
13. Chlamydotis macqueenii
Asian Houbara VU Aves
14. Picipes rhizophilus none VU Fungi
15. Testudo Horsfieldii Central Asian Tortoise VU Reptilia
Criterion 1(c) – Nationally endangered species 18. IFC guidance
states that as appropriate, areas containing important
concentrations of a nationally or regionally listed EN or CR
species should be considered for Critical Habitat. These are
summarised in National Red Lists. However, in order for a
national/regional red list to be relevant to the Critical Habitat
criteria it must have adhered to IUCN guidance. Although Uzbekistan
has a national red list, it is not considered to be compliant with
IUCN guidelines. Criterion 1(c) is thus not applicable for this
Critical Habitat Assessment. However, key threatened should be
adequately assessed under Criteria 1 (a) and (b).
5.1.2. Screening Results
19. The initial assessment concluded that 2 of the 21 species
are not likely to regularly occur in the Project Area of influence
and were screened out - Picipes rhizophilus and Gazella
subgutturosa. The remaining 19 species have the potential to meet
the ADB SPS CH criteria and either regularly occur in the Project
Area or, in accordance with the precautionary approach, were
assumed to regularly occur. Further details on all 19 species are
present in Table 4.
Table 4: Results of the Criteria 1 Screening Critical Habitat
Assessment Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
Vanellus gregarius
Sociable lapwing
CR
Potentially in passage only. Although Migratory data suggests
their main migration route passes to the west of the project
alignment, they could migrate through the area (although this is
likely to be rare). No stopover
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
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Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
locations for this species have been identified in the region,
the last local sighting was from Aydar lake around 20 years ago.
The region does not support this species but instead individuals
may pass over in passage during each migratory season. It is thus
more appropriately assessed under criterion 3 (areas critical for
the survival of migratory species).
Aquila nipalensis
Steppe eagle
EN
This species breeds to the north in Russia, Mongolia and
Kazakhstan and migrates through Uzbekistan to overwintering sites
in India, Pakistan, Africa or the Middle East. It is present only
in passage in the project area. Steppe Eagle are more appropriately
assessed under criterion 3, since a population is not concentrated
in the area at any one point in time, but individuals may pass over
during each whole migratory season.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Falco cherrug
Saker falcon
EN
Estimated 100-150 breeding pairs in Uzbekistan. Saker falcon are
known to breed in the nearby Nuratau range to the west as well as
the Turkestan range to the south and have been sighted close to the
project AoI. Further Assessments is required.
Potential Critical Habitat Requires Further Analysis/
Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Pallas's Fish-eagle
EN
Usually restricted to wetland when not on migration. 6 adults
were reported to overwinter in Tuskan Lake IBA, around 20km north
of the AoI, in 2004. The proximity of this site and it’s seeming
importance for this very rare species means further assessment is
required.
Potential Critical Habitat Requires Further Analysis
Neophron percnopterus
Egyptian vulture
EN
The estimated breeding population in in Uzbekistan rangers
between 143 and 140. Egyptian Vulture are known to breed in the
nearby Nuratau range to the west as well as the Turkestan range to
the south and have been sighted close to the project AoI. Further
Assessments is required.
Potential Critical Habitat Requires Further Analysis
Oxyura leucocephala
White-headed duck
EN
Known to overwinter in the Northern Shores of the Aydarkul Lake’
IBA, around 50km from the AoI (8 individuals in 2004). Restricted
to wetland when not on migration, and therefore potentially found
in the AoI only in passage. Because of this white-headed duck are
more appropriately assessed under Criteria 3.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
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Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
Cyprinus carpio
Wild Common Carp
VU
The native population is widely distributed across the Black,
Caspian and Aral Sea basins. This species has also been introduced
across the world for food and sport fishing. The project AoI
contains just one river, and thus even if it contains a population
of common carp it is infeasible that the loss of this single
population would result in a change of this species’ IUCN threat
status from VU to EN.
Not considered Critical Habitat
Luciobarbus brachycephalus
Aral Barbel
VU
The native population is distributed across the Caspian and Aral
Sea basins. The project AoI contains just one river, and thus even
if it contains a population of Aral Barbel, it is infeasible that
the loss of this single population from one river would result in a
change of this species’ IUCN threat status from VU to EN.
Not considered Critical Habitat
Vormela peregusna
Marbled polecat
VU
Primarily associated with steppe habitat but is known to live in
cultivated areas, and therefore could be present. Very widespread
species across much of Asia and the Middle East. As such, it is
infeasible that the loss of a local population would result in a
change of this species’ IUCN threat status from VU to EN.
Not considered Critical Habitat
Anser erythropus
Lesser White-fronted Goose
VU
This species is closely associated with waterbodies. It breeds
much further north in Arctic Russia and Scandinavia. It is known to
winter in Uzbekistan in small numbers as well as migrating through
the country. Winter roosting colonies are also formed on large
lakes and rivers, or in reedbeds and rushes. 5-15 individuals were
recorded to winter in Dalverzin State Forestry and Hunting
Management Area IBA on the banks of the Syr Darya river around 20km
from the AoI (2006). However, there is an absence of suitable
habitat closer than this to the AoI, and thus overwintering birds
are very unlikely to regularly occur in the AoI. Therefore, as they
are likely only present in passage in the AoI they are more
appropriately assessed under Criterion 3.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Marmaronetta angustirostris
Marbled teal
VU
Closely associated with wetlands when breeding and
overwintering. Not thought to be present in large local
waterbodies, which would provide the best habitat locally,
(e.g.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under
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Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
Aydar lake) and so regular presence in the AoI is very unlikely.
It may pass through the region on migration and so, as this species
is likely only present in passage in the AoI, it is more
appropriately assessed under Criterion 3.
another Criterion
Aythya ferina
Common pochard
VU
Closely associated with wetlands when breeding and
overwintering. Not thought to be present in large local
waterbodies, which would provide the best habitat locally, (e.g.
Aydar lake) and so regular presence in the AoI is very unlikely. It
may pass through the region on migration and so, as this species is
likely only present in passage in the AoI, it is more appropriately
assessed under Criterion 3.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Streptopelia turtur
European turtle-dove
VU
Potentially present and breeding in the area but very widespread
species, minimum population 12 million. As such, it is infeasible
that the loss of a local population would result in a change of
this species’ IUCN threat status from VU to EN.
Not considered Critical Habitat
Columba eversmanni
Yellow-Eyed Pigeon
VU
Potentially breeds in the area. Uses steppe/semi-desert habitat
as well as agricultural areas for feeding. Very little information
on this species’ distribution in Uzbekistan, although it has not
been recorded in local Important Bird Areas so a large regional
population seems unlikely. This species occurs across much of
Central Asia and so it is infeasible that the loss of the local
population, which is unlikely to be significant, would result in a
change of this species IUCN threat status from VU to EN.
Not considered Critical Habitat
Otis tarda Great bustard
VU
Although formerly breeding in Uzbekistan, this species no longer
breeds in the country, and is rarely sighted in passage or
overwintering1. There are observations of lone females with
clutches in the Jizzak region, but there are more than 50 years
old. Birds overwintering in the Karatau foothills of Kazakhstan
sometimes move into nearby regions including the Jizzak region, but
this is thought to be to the northwest of the project AoI. It is
very unlikely that this species is regularly found in the
Not considered Critical Habitat
1 Kessler and Smith (2014), The Status of the Great Bustard
(Otis tarda tarda) in Central Asia: from the Caspian
Sea to the Altai, Aquila (2014), Vol. 121, p. 115–132
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Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
project AoI, and if it is ever present it will be in very low
numbers.
Clanga Greater spotted eagle
VU
This species breeds in Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and some of
Eastern Europe. Birds are mainly found in passage in Uzbekistan on
migration overwintering sites in India, Pakistan or the Middle
East. However, they are known to overwinter in the project region,
with 3-9 individuals recorded to winter in Dalverzin State Forestry
and Hunting Management Area IBA on the banks of the Syr Darya river
around 20km from the AoI (2006). Although these individuals might
regularly occur in the AoI, the local population is far too small
for its loss to result in a change in the IUCN threat rating of
this species to EN. Therefore, it is not CH under criterion 1.
Nevertheless, Greater spotted eagles are known to migrate through
the area and thus this species will also be assessed under
criterion 3.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Aquila heliaca
Eastern imperial eagle
VU
This species breeds in Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and some of
Eastern Europe. Birds may migrate through Uzbekistan to
overwintering sites in India, Pakistan or the Middle East. It is
present only in passage in the project area. The Eastern imperial
eagle is more appropriately assessed under criterion 3, since a
population is not concentrated in the area at any one point in
time, but individuals may pass over during each whole migratory
season.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Chlamydotis macqueenii
Asian houbara
VU
Breeds in Uzbekistan but not thought to breed in the project
area. Tends to breed in steppe or semi-desert habitat rather than
agricultural land. Key breeding sites in Uzbekistan are the
Kyzyl-Kum desert to the north (which also is an important stop-off
on migration) and the Bukhara region to the south-west. The project
area does form part of the migratory route for birds migrating to
overwintering sites further south, although the major migratory
flyway seems to pass to the west of the region.
Not CH under Criterion 1. To be assessed again under another
Criterion
Testudo Horsfieldii
Central Asian Tortoise
VU
There are records of this species from the region, but they are
to the south and to the west of the Project AoI, where the habitat
is less modified by agriculture and thus more suitable for this
species (Bondarenko and Peregontsev
Not considered Critical Habitat
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Latin name
Common name
IUCN Category
Comments CH Likelihood
2017). It is unlikely that this species regularly occurs in the
AoI, and if it does it is likely in low numbers, as the region
seems of lesser importance than other areas of Uzbekistan.
Therefore, it is infeasible that the loss of a local population
would result in a change of this species IUCN threat status from VU
to EN.
20. Of the 19 species that have the potential to regularly occur
in the project AoI 3 have the potential to trigger critical habitat
and require further Scoping analysis, 9 do not trigger critical
habitat under Criterion 1 but should be assessed again under
another Criterion and 7 were confirmed as unlikely to meet the
thresholds and have been screen out.
5.1.3. Scoping
21. Critical Habitat thresholds are not met for any of these
species. The local population sizes are not deemed large enough to
meet the criteria set out in IFC GN6. Full justification of this
for each species is detailed in Appendix A. Thus, the project does
not trigger Critical Habitat for Criterion 1, see Table 5.
Table 5: Results of the Criteria 1 scoping assessment
Latin name Common name IUCN Category Critical Habitat?
Falco cherrug Saker falcon EN No
Haliaeetus leucoryphus Pallas's Fish-eagle EN No
Neophron percnopterus Egyptian vulture EN No
22. Despite these species not meeting Critical Habitat
requirements it is recognised that they are globally threatened,
and the Project must ensure the protection of their conservation
status at least and no deterioration of it. Mitigation may be
needed to prevent net loss for these globally threatened species,
particularly the Endangered Saker Falcon and Egyptian Vulture.
5.2. Critical Habitat Requirement 2 – Restricted - range
Species
23. ADB Requirement two for critical habitat is areas having
special significance for endemic or restricted-range species. The
IFC GN(6) defines a terrestrial restricted range species as that
with an EOO (Extent of Occurrence) of less than 50,000km2. The
Critical habitat threshold this requirement is as follows:
a) Areas that regularly hold ≥10% of the global population size
AND ≥10 reproductive units of a species.
24. The IBAT tool was used to identify any species potentially
present within 50km of the alignment that was listed by the IUCN as
having an EOO of less than 50,000km2. None were found to be
present. This is not surprising as Uzbekistan, and central Asia as
a whole, does not have high rates of endemism compared to other
geographic locations, with the majority of species widely
distributed but rare across their range. Therefore, the project
area does not contain Critical Habitat under Criterion 2.
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5.3. Critical Habitat Requirements 3 and 4 – Migratory and
Congregatory species
25. ADB requirements 3 and 4 sites that are critical for the
survival of migratory species and areas supporting globally
significant concentrations or numbers of individuals of
congregatory species. 26. The relevant IFC thresholds are:
a) Areas known to sustain, on a cyclical or otherwise regular
basis, ≥ 1 percent of the global population of a migratory or
congregatory species at any point of the species’ lifecycle.
b) Areas that predictably support ≥10 percent of the global
population of a species during periods of environmental stress.
27. Uzbekistan is an important part of the Central Asian Flyway,
with a large number of bird species migrating from breeding grounds
further North to overwintering sites in Africa, the Middle East
Pakistan and India. The flyway in Uzbekistan is broad (hundreds of
kilometres wide) and is predominantly situated to the west of the
project area as birds avoid the mountains to the east and south
(see Figure 3). However, satellite data does show that a number of
bird species, including IUCN threatened ones, do migrate through
the AoI. In order to assess whether the project area falls within
Critical Habitat for Migratory species, the criteria IUCN use to
assess Key Biodiversity Areas is referred to. For Migratory
corridors the IUCN standard states that ‘along migratory corridors,
KBAs should be identified for stop-over or bottleneck sites rather
than for the entire corridor’. In the same way, it would be
inappropriate to designate the entirety of the broad Central Asian
Flyway as Critical Habitat. Instead, areas that represent
bottleneck sites or important stopovers should be designated as
Critical habitat for Migratory species.
Figure 3: Altitude map and detailed route alignment (units are m
above sea level)
5.3.1. Bottleneck sites 28. There is no evidence from either
satellite tagging data or topographic/geographic features that the
AoI or its broad surrounding is a bottleneck within the broader
flyway. Satellite tagging data has been analysed where available,
and Figures 4 – 7 show the migration routes of satellite tagged
birds for four relevant endangered species. In addition to these
selected species satellite data from European cranes and bird
ringing data from a range of ducks and geese was also consulted,
particularly given the proximity of the Aydar lake, which is
known
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to support large numbers of waterfowl. Taken together they
illustrate that the AoI is part of a wider but it is not a key
bottleneck for migrating birds. 29. Figure 4 shows the routes taken
by 14 migrating steppe eagles (EN). It demonstrates that this
species has a broad migratory corridor in the region, with birds
mainly skirting the Nuratua range and avoiding the project AoI. It
is noted that 4 birds migrated across the proposed Project
alignment, as they seem to fly through the pass close to Jizzak
between the foothills of the Nuratua and Turkestan ranges.
Figure 4: Steppe Eagle migratory routes. Source: Russian Raptor
Research
30. Figure 5 shows the migratory routes of the Asian Houbara a
species that both passes through and breeds in Uzbekistan. The key
flyways are clearly a hundred kilometres or more further east.
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Figure 5: Migratory routes of Asian Houbara from breeding sites
in Kazakhstan
31. The eastern imperial eagle and greater spotted eagle (Figure
6) use the wider flyway with 4 out of 6 individuals crossing the
AoI in at least one year of the satellite study.
Figure 6: Eastern Imperial and Greater spotted Eagle migratory
routes, white line (left)
32. Sociable lapwing has a clearly defined migratory route that
bottlenecks close to the Turkmenistan and Afghanistan boarder,
several hundred kilometres south-east of the Project aera.
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Figure 7: Sociable Lapwing migratory routes. Red line shows
approximate location of the project.
33. For all species researched the migration routes pass over a
wide corridor, with different individuals taking different routes,
some over the mountains to the east, without any evidence that they
pass through a bottleneck site. This is also supported by the
general topography, which is fairly uniform and flat, with a few
areas of higher relief but no steep valleys or rivers likely to
bottleneck species (see Figure 3). There is therefore no indication
that the area meets the criteria for KBA designation. Given this,
and that it is part of a more extensive flyway of similar
importance for a substantial distance, it is not appropriate to
consider the Project area to be Critical Habitat for criteria 3
migratory birds.
5.3.2. Stopover sites/ sites supporting congregations 34. The
landscape is almost entirely modified agricultural land. Lake Aydar
and the associated wetlands are important standing water bodies
used as stopovers for migratory waterbirds, but these are all well
outside the project AoI. No other standing waterbodies have been
identified in the AoI, apart from small artificial ponds, which are
surrounded by heavily modified cropland and unlikely to be suitable
waterbird habitat. There is no evidence that these are of
importance as stop over locations for migratory birds. 35. Some
species such as the Houbara bustard are known to stop-off in desert
and semi-desert habitat, but this habitat type is not present in or
near the AoI. Raptor species may also stopover in the area, but
there is no reason to imply this region has a greater abundance of
prey than the rest of the broad migration corridor and so it is
very unlikely they stop over in significant concentrations. This is
supported by the available data, including that from satellite
tracking, which includes nothing to suggest that the area is a
significant stop-off for any species researched. This is further
supported by the fact that the project area does not contain any
KBAs or IBAs designated for migratory or congregatory species. The
IBA criteria A4 is equivalent to CH Criterion 3a - ‘the site is
known or thought to hold congregations of ≥1% of the global
population of one or more species on a regular or predictable
basis’ and so key stopover locations are often already designated
as IBAs. 36. Therefore, the project area does not contain Critical
Habitat under Criteria 3 and 4. Nonetheless, the data suggests that
the wider area is of importance to migratory species. Transmission
line developments in this migratory corridor present a risk to
these species and
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the project should aim to mitigate potential impacts to at least
no net loss. They may otherwise have disproportionate effects on
the global population.
5.4. Critical Habitat Requirement 5 – Evolutionary processes and
Ecosystem services
37. ADB Critical Habitat Requirement 7 is that Critical habitat
includes areas with unique assemblages of species or that are
associated with key evolutionary processes or provide key ecosystem
services. The IFC Guidance note 6 gives some guidance on this,
stating that areas associated with key evolutionary processes tend
to have high spatial heterogeneity, which can lead to speciation
via isolation or divergent evolution or environmental gradients,
also known as ecotones, which produce transitional habitat and are
associated with the process of speciation. The study area does not
fit these criteria and the landscape is almost entirely modified
agricultural land. 38. The area is also not thought to provide key
ecosystem services. The AoI crosses a single waterway, however,
this runs through almost entirely agricultural land rather than
natural land and so the area does not act as a water catchment. The
project area does not contain Critical Habitat under Criterion
5.
5.5. Critical Habitat Requirement 6 – Community importance
39. ADB Critical Habitat Requirement 6 is that Critical habitat
includes areas having biodiversity of significant social, economic,
or cultural importance to local communities.
40. No species of significant social, economic or cultural
importance have been identified. Therefore, the project area does
not contain Critical Habitat under Criterion 6.
5.6. Critical Habitat Requirement 7 – Protected or designated
areas
41. ADB Critical Habitat Requirement 7 is that Critical habitat
includes areas either legally protected or officially proposed for
protection, such as areas that meet the criteria of the World
Conservation Union classification, the Ramsar List of Wetlands of
International Importance, and the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s world natural heritage
sites.
42. The Aydar-Arnasay Lakes system is a designated Ramsar site.
Its designation is due to both the large number of waterbirds that
is supports, during the 2003 international winter waterfowl count
some 96,600 birds of 37 species were recorded and due to the
presence of threatened species such as Pallas’ fish eagle (EN) and
the white-headed duck (EN). At its closest point the Ramsar site is
13km from the project AoI and therefore is not in the Project AoI.
However, the species for which the site was designated may move
outside. The relevant species have been assessed accordingly under
the relevant Criterion, for example any globally threatened species
present have been assessed appropriately under Criterion 1. 43.
There are 5 Important Bird Areas within 50km of the project, see
Figure 8. IBAs do not technically trigger Critical Habitat under
ADB guidelines. However, they have been assessed as part of the
precautionary approach as they are internationally recognised sites
which can support important bird concentrations and/or globally
threatened species. All of the IBAs are at least 20km from the
project Area of Impact. However, the species for which the sites
have been designated may move beyond the IBA boundaries. The
relevant species have also assessed under the appropriate
Criterion.
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44. No protected or designated areas occur within the Area of
Impact for this project, and thus the project area does not contain
Critical Habitat under Criterion 7.
Figure 8: IBAs within 50km of the project AoI
6. Conclusions 45. The proposed Syrdarya to Zafarabad 200kV
Transmission Line and Zafarabad Substation Project does not trigger
Critical Habitat under ADB requirements. However, internationally
endangered species are present and should inform the detailed
design of the Project to avoid, reduce, minimise and potentially
offset any potential adverse impacts.
46. Egyptian vulture, an endangered species that is in global
decline and susceptible to the risks associated with transmission
lines are present in numbers close to the IFC GN6 thresholds.
Should there be any material increases in local populations,
critical habitat may be triggered under ADB SPS Criterion 1. The
data used to inform this assessment is ten years old and should be
validated and under ADB Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS) the
Project is required to avoid a reduction in the population of any
recognised endangered or critically endangered species (no net
loss). Therefore, further data collection and monitoring is
recommended.
47. The recommended monitoring should focus on the Egyptian
vulture but in line with best practice it includes measures to help
ensure no net loss of other species that are of particular risk of
electrocution and collision, namely saker falcon, steppe eagle and
imperial eagle. Monitoring should include long-term research that
would allow an adaptive management approach to the species to be
adopted. A Biodiversity Action Plan / Species Management Plan
should be prepared to help manage and monitor the possible impacts
on this species during construction and operation.
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Appendix A – Criteria 1 detailed assessments
Saker Falcon
The saker falcon is globally categorised as Endangered (IUCN).
Its minimum global population is estimated at 12,000 individuals
(IUCN). It is relatively widely distributed, occurring across some
of Europe and much of Asia, with the key breeding populations
situated in China, Mongolia and Russia. It breeds in Uzbekistan and
may also be found in passage on migration. Breeding sites are
typically in the gorges of the lower and middle sections of
mountain ranges, in this case the Turkestan and Nuratau ranges.
During the breeding season Saker Falcon avoids settling close to
humans.
Resident saker falcon have range sizes of approximately 200km2
(a circle of 15km diameter) on average, based on studies from
Hungary (Promer et al. 2018) and Mongolia (Potapov et al. 2000). An
AoA was thus designated to include potential breeding locations in
the Nuratua range and it’s foothills, with a 15km buffer, taking
into account both the records of Saker Falcon in the area and the
distribution map (figure A1) provided by the National Action Plan
for this species (Kashkarov and Lavento 2011).The AoA does not
incorporate the Turkestan range and it’s foothills (thought to
contain 2 breeding pairs) because birds nesting in the Turkestan
range are thought to be of a separate population (Kashkarov and
Lavento 2011), and suitable nesting habitat is further than 15km
from the AoI, suggesting birds in this population do not regularly
occur in the project AoI. It is to be noted that there is one
record of a bird close to the eastern part of the alignment,
however it is most likely this was a sighting of a vagrant bird
that does not regularly occur there, since it is far from known or
optimum breeding habitat.
Figure A1 – Distribution of Saker Falcon in Uzbekistan showing
the Nuratua range population close to the project area (Kashkarov
and Lavento 2011)
Figure A2- Area of Analysis for the saker falcon, established by
incorporating all
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available information on its distribution and habitat
requirements.
The Nuratau range and therefore the AoA is thought to contain 5
Saker Falcon breeding pairs, or around 10 individuals, according to
RSPB birdfair surveys (2009-2010). Therefore, the population within
the AoA is not thought to represent 0.5% of the global population
(minimum 60 individuals) and thus the Project does not trigger
critical habitat requirements for the Saker Falcon. However, as the
species is present in the area and may interact with the Project at
the western end of the alignment, suitable mitigation will be
important to prevent net loss of this globally Endangered
species.
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Pallas’s Fish Eagle
Pallas’s fish eagle is closely associated with wetlands,
principally large lakes and rivers, where it hunts fish and
waterbirds. 6 individuals (more than 0.5% of the global population)
were estimated to overwinter in Tuzkan Lake IBA (part of the Aydar
lake) in 2004 (Birdlife international) and no more recent data is
available. Steele (2010) calculated that the average home range
size for overwintering birds was just under 40km2 (a circle of
diameter 7km). Therefore, the AoA was set up to incorporate the
Tuzkan Lake and a 7km buffer zone, on the basis that birds may
occupy home ranges extending out from roosting sites next to the
lake.
Figure A3- Area of Analysis for the Pallas’s fish eagle,
established by incorporating all available information on its
distribution and habitat requirements.
The Project AoI is 18km from the Tuzkan Lake IBA, and thus 11km
from the Area of Analysis for the Pallas’s fish eagle. This means
that the Pallas’s fish eagle is not thought to regularly occur in
the project area and it is unlikely to regularly occur 18km from
the Tuzkan lake. It does therefore not meet Critical Habitat
Requirements under Criterion 1. However, it is possible that this
species occurs irregularly in the project area whilst
overwintering, and it may also pass through the project area on its
migration to and from the Tuzkan lake IBA. Therefore, suitable
mitigation will be important to prevent net loss of this rare and
globally endangered species.
Egyptian Vulture The Egyptian Vulture is globally endangered
(IUCN). Its minimum global population is estimated at 12,000
individuals (IUCN). It is widely distributed, occurring across some
of Europe and much of Asia, but has seen drastic declines across
its range. It breeds in Uzbekistan and may also be found in passage
on migration. This species is known to scavenge near to human
settlements and in agricultural land and has very large home
ranges. A study found breeding Egyptian Vultures spend 50% of their
time in core home ranges of 900km2 (circle of 34 km diameter),
however if 99% of their time was accounted for, they used a much
larger range of up to 209,800 km2 (Buechley et al. 2018). An Area
of Analysis was set
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up for the Egyptian vulture incorporating all available
information on its distribution and habitat requirements. It
includes the two known local breeding sites for this species, the
Nuratua and Turkestan ranges, with a 30km buffer extending from the
suitable breeding habitat to represent potential travel within home
ranges. Unlike for the saker falcon, Egyptian vulture occupy larger
home ranges and can occupy habitat more modified by humans,
therefore the Nuratua and Turkestan populations are not being
treated as distinct. This is backed up by the records of Egyptian
Vulture from the area, which seem to show a single continuous
population between the two areas. The Area of Assessment includes
the project AoI at its western end. It is noted that a distinct
population is thought to exist in the Gissar Range (in and around
the Gissar State Nature Reserve), which can be seen in figure A3.
Records of Egyptian Vulture in the area show that these populations
are separated by approximately 60km, and this population is
referred to as a separate population in the studies by the Society
for the Protection of Birds (Kashkarov and Lavento 2011).
Figure A4 - Area of Analysis for the Egyptian vulture.
The studies conducted by the Society for the Protection of Birds
within the framework of the “Birdfair/RSPB” programme in 2009-2010
recorded 6 pairs in the Turkestan range and 12 pairs in the Nuratau
mountain, which together form the AoA. It is therefore assumed that
that AoA supports approximately 40 individuals (c.19 breeding
pairs), although it is acknowledged that the data is ten years old.
The population recorded in the Gissar, Turkestan and Zarafshan
mountain ranges is assumed to range between 30-50 pairs, although
this data is also ten years old and the population is not likely to
be regularly present in AoI. The Area of Assessment for the
Egyptian vulture is thought to contain 40 individuals. It is
therefore unlikely that the AoI supports 0.5% of the global
population (60 individuals) of Egyptian vulture, and thus it does
not meet Critical Habitat Requirements under Criterion 1. Whilst
the data available at the time of assessment concludes that
Critical Habitat is not triggered, it is possible that relatively
small increases in local populations would lead to a change in
classification. Given that the global population is declining, and
the species is
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susceptible to risks associated with transmission lines
additional work is required to ensure that the project does not
have an adverse impact on this species (no net loss). In accordance
with the precautionary approach a Biodiversity Action Plan /
Species Management Plan should be prepared to help manage and
monitor the possible impacts on this species during construction
and operation. As part of this commitment long term field surveys
are recommended to allow for an adaptive management approach to
adopted.