Final Report - Asian Development Bank

54
TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 7
f. In-situ infrastructure
i. Road and Mountain Pathway Improvements
309. The project will provide road and mountain path-way improvements for improving access of
QBCDA villages and households to markets, jobs and basic services – while limiting access for mass
tourism and recreation and thus protecting QBCDA bioresources and fragile eco-systems.
310. The original FS on the QBG dated January 2006 included a major program of QBCDA road
construction and improvements, with a total length of about 170 km. and a total capital budget of
CNY189 million ($24.9 million). The proposed road building program included 88.45 km of main roads
plus three smaller additional roads (1.5 m wide), which were not described in the FS.
311. Road access was planned to improve the central spine road running through the QBG Zone
A site from Tianyukou (site entrance) to Jinniuping. The reconstruction of the existing core road which
runs down the central valley would have widened this road to 6.5 m from the current width of about 2-
33 m. This reconstruction would have necessitated major earthworks. The construction of major
QBCDA roads was justified in part by the proposed investment in an QBCDA cableway, which has
since been dropped from the investment program because of its negative biodiversity and other
environmental and social impacts.
312. The QBG revised its road construction proposals to include improvements to the central
valley road from Tianyuku to Jinniuping, and improvements to mountain paths. The canyon road
covers a total length of 17.5 km at a total cost of CNY27.9 million, while the mountain path
improvements would involve a total length of 109 km at a total cost of CNY21.9 million. The seven
mountain paths would have the following routes: Jinniuping – Shouyangshan – 13.2 km; Jinniuping –
Dongniandao – 15.5 km; Jinniuping – Yeniuhe – 20.0 km; Xiagukou – Shangyangpo – 11.0; Tielucha
– Liangding – 14.2 km; Guanyinyan – Laojigou – 17.0 km; and Liziping – Yeyanghe – 18.5 km. This
total road building budget, including recurrent costs for maintenance during the implementation period,
therefore is CNY58.3 million ($7.7 million), covering a total length of 127 km. When the QBG provided
its information to the PPTA Team in March 2007, the QBG Team stressed that the canyon road would
follow the current route, would have its current length and width, and thus would involve minimal
earthwork and related construction and environmental effects. However, the capital cost for this
road was the same in March 2007 submission as in the January 2006 FS and was reduced by
the PPTA in the final costing however there remain questions as to the rationale for the road
investment given the relocation of the Panda Breeding center out of the QBCDA during Loan
Fact Finding. The design, cost and potential environmental impacts of this road need to be fully
reviewed and if the proposed cost is correct the road program will require a full EIA moving the Project
to Environmental Category A.
313. The design, location and costs of the proposed mountain path improvements need to be
reviewed with reference to the final QBCDA strategy as well as the village development planning to be
conducted. The VDP will define the need and demand for pathway improvements which will be
available for all villages in the QBCDA area. The road contracts will be awarded by the Shaanxi
Qinling Biodiversity Promotions Ltd and will be funded from loan funds.
314. The Project proposal is currently for a road improvement program totaling CNY 34 million.
a. Social Infrastructure
315. Social infrastructure for residents in the QBCDA zone in terms of water supplies and
alternative energy – biogas grants would provide a significant benefit to the poorest households in the
Project Area and reduce their demand for firewood. The extent of social infrastructure demanded will
be identified during the VDP process and once a plan is completed the village can apply for an
infrastructure grant from the Louguantai Forest Farm division in the QNBG through the PMO. The
Project is budgeting CNY12.4 million for these grants.
316. The QBCDA community have very little infrastructure and field work indicated that essential
infrastructure would provide a significant benefit to households and especially to women and children.
Apart from access infrastructure the most requested types of infrastructure were (i) energy supplies
and (ii) water supplies. The Project will identify these needs through the Village Development Planning
program above. Once plans are complete villages may apply to the PMO through the proposed new