ADB Aids Environmental Monitoring in Aceh
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is coordinating with Aceh’s provincial environment agency, BAPEDALDA NAD, to monitor environmental impacts of ADB-supported rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. A workshop to review progress in the monitoring of the environmental impacts was convened today in Banda Aceh by the agency. ADB's assistance to rehabilitate and reconstruct tsunami-affected areas in Aceh and Nias is channeled through a $291 million grant. The Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project covers agriculture, fisheries, micro and small enterprise development, irrigation, housing, water and sanitation, health, education, roads and bridges, power, spatial planning and environmental management, and fiduciary oversight. “We are working closely with the executing and implementing agencies and environmental authorities to monitor the reconstruction process. This way we ensure that unavoidable negative impacts resulting from ADB-supported projects are properly addressed,” said Pieter Smidt, Head of ADB’s Extended Mission for Sumatra. All ADB-supported projects with physical works undergo an environmental assessment process in compliance with standards set by ADB and the Government of Indonesia. “The environmental assessments prescribe the necessary mitigation measures to be put in place at each site during implementation,” said Ashley Bansgrove, the project’s Environmental Safeguards Advisor. Those who attended the workshop agreed that monitoring is necessary to ensure that the mitigation measures are functioning properly. “Monitoring has proven critical in identifying areas requiring improvement, such as the design and construction of septic systems for houses,” said Ismudi Muchsin, Environmental Assessment Advisor to Aceh’s provincial environment agency. ADB is working closely with the Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Aceh and Nias, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in implementing ADB’s housing program to address this problem. ADB is field testing a new system that uses modern septic tanks and solar power to get rid of waste effluent to minimize groundwater pollution. “All physical development programs in the post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction have to follow environmental regulations, starting from the design phase through to construction and post construction,” said Said Mustafa, Head of Aceh’s provincial environment agency. He said environmental impact analysis and environmental impact mitigation measures must be included as part of work contracts and environmental monitoring reports should be regularly submitted to the province and district levels. About ADB | 
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