The Social and Environment Circle is a new circle formed as put of an interim reorganisation in 2000. These functions were previously carried out as part of the Roads and Environment Circle.

The objective of the Social and Environment Circle is to contribute to the overall strategy of the Technical Services Wing by:

Ensuring all RHD works and projects are executed in accordance with appropriate environmental and social standards and practices.

a) To establish fair, effective, consistent re-settlement practices for RHD Road and Bridge Projects.

b) To minimise social impact of RHD projects and works.

c) To maintain the highest possible environmental standards on all RHD works and projects.

The Environment and Resettlement Circle is headed by a Superintending Engineer (SE) supported by 2 Executives Specialists (having the rank of Executive Engineer) who are each in charge of Division, namely:

a) Re-settlement Division

b) Environment Division

The numbers of personnel in the Circle are shown in the attached table which shows the total proposed number of personnel in the Circle to be 47 which is less than the current sanctioned strength. There are also some changes in the numbers of staff in individual posts. The proposed number of personnel of the Circle is 10 Class I, 4 Class II, 25 Class III and 8 Class IV staff.

Certain officers in the Social & Environment Circle are to be designated as specialists. Specialist posts for engineers with specialist training are hash marked thus, EE #. Specialist posts for engineers, or non-engineers, with specialist qualifications are shown together with the equivalent engineering grade thus, Exec. Transport Economist (EE*).

a) To establish appropriate Re-settlement Standards and guidelines for RHD.

b) To establish appropriate environmental standards and guidelines for RHD.

c) To monitor the Re-settlement, Social and Environmental issues of on-going and existing RHD projects and works.

d) To procure necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for RHD projects and works.

e) To monitor environmental mitigation measures throughout implementation of projects.

f) To monitor long-term environmental impact on selected projects.

g) To procure preparation and implementation of environmental management plans for RHD projects.

h) To disseminate the need for high social and environmental standards throughout RHD and to the general public through research, publicity, seminars and training.

i) To procure training of three Circle officers in environmental and social issues each year (through RHDTC).

The budget for the Environment and Resettlement Circle is shown on the attached table. The budget table shows both the annual operation and maintenance costs and the capital costs of purchasing new, and replacing old, equipment. As not all equipment will be purchased or replaced immediately the capital cost has been annualised depending on the average life of the various items of equipment. The costs shown exclude the cost of personnel who are paid from other sources.

On this basis the annual recurring cost for the Circle is Taka 127.71 lacs and the capital cost on an annualised basis is Taka 25.58 lacs. A total cost of Taka 153.29 lacs per annum. Of this total amount Taka 107 lacs is to cover the costs of activities carried out by local consultants.

As this is a new circle an additional Taka 60 lacs will be required to cover the cost of 2 vehicles and essential new equipment in the first year. Guidelines for Environmental standards and another one for resettlement will be prepared in the first year at a cost of Taka. 20 lacs each.

The Environment and Resettlement Circle requires resources for Head Quarters operations and to enable the Circle to undertake necessary surveys, investigations etc. using both the Circles’ own resources and local consultants.

The resources required are shown in the table below: