Table 10 - 2 in Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project (ENREP) Update the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for LOT-I: Metu-Mesha 230 KV Single Circuit Transmission Line

Table 10-2. Significance of cumulative effects on the selected VECs VECsOther activitiesScenario: long-term (2040)Consequences (High, moderate and Low)Risk levelLikelihood (Certain <likely <possible <probable)Natural Habitats and BiodiversityAgricultural expansionLikely: the past trend shows that there is an increase in the expansion of agricultural fields triggered by an increase in population of the project area. With the currentHigh impact: the aerial extent and quality of the natural habitats will decline leading to depauperated biodiversity and compromisedHLikelihood (Certain <likely <possible <probable)trend of populationlong-termgrowth, it is likely thatpersistence ofmore forest areaspecies.covers will be bothsimplified to growcoffee and convertedto crop fields.Large-scaleLikely: Historical trendHigh impact:Hinvestmentshows that there is ansignificant parts ofincreased clearing ofthe forests will beforest areas for large-reduced in extentscale planation of cashand there is acrop (e.g. Tea). Theremajor decline inwill be more large-the quality ofscale investment thatnatural habitats.could simplify forestAll of these resultcover and lead to totalin local-levelclearing for forests forbiodiversity lossdevelopment of Estate.and inducedThe current 230 kVhabitatpower line and a newfragmentation.sub-station at Mashacould attract moreinvestors.Road ConstructionCertain: The current Masha – Gore Road Construction project has resulted in a permanent loss of certain tree species and their associated lower organisms living on them (e.g., epiphytes).Moderate impact: The activities of the Road project led to falling of selected trees along its Right-of-Way. The direct impact is a reduced number of individuals ofM20Likelihood (Certain <likely <possible <probable)these tree species in the forest.