The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage ( ESRS Concept Stage) For Official Use Only Date Prepared/Updated: 11/07/2023 | Report No: ESRSC03904 May 13, 2024 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Operation Data Operation ID Product Operation Acronym Approval Fiscal Year P500380 Investment Project Financing (IPF) INDIA JSDF PVTG 2025 Operation Name India Supporting Socioeconomic Development and Livelihood Security among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Country/Region Code Beneficiary country/countries Region Practice Area (Lead) (borrower, recipient) India India SOUTH ASIA Social Sustainability and Inclusion Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Professional Professional Assistance for 01-Aug-2024 Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) Development Action For Official Use Only (PRADAN) Estimated Concept Total Project Cost Review Date 15-Nov-2023 2,730,000.00 Proposed Development Objective The project development objective is to improve livelihood opportunities and increase access to services for target PVTG communities through inclusive development planning in the selected districts. B. Is the operation being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project Activities [Description imported from the Concept Data Sheet in the Portal providing information about the key aspects and components/sub-components of the project] May 13, 2024 Page 2 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) This project will implement an integrated and community-based local development planning process with the objective of improving livelihoods and housing for PVTG households. The project will start with community mobilization and facilitation of an inclusive, multisectoral planning process in select villages that is anchored in the broader annual Gram Panchayat (GP) development planning approach to identify key gaps in areas of convergence and systematically include the voices of PVTG households. It will then deliver a set of coordinated investments in socio-economic infrastructure and livelihoods based on identified community needs and village plans and targeting specific PVTG clusters. The project will support replication, alongside awareness raising and peer-to-peer learning to generate interest and scalability for further such coordinated and context appropriate village investments. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1 Overview of Environmental and Social Project Settings [Description of key features relevant to the operation’s environmental and social risks and opportunities (e.g., whether the project is nationwide or regional in scope, urban/rural, in an FCV context, presence of Indigenous Peoples or other minorities, involves associated facilities, high-biodiversity settings, etc.) – Max. character limit 2,000] The proposed JSDF grant will be implemented in predominantly rural areas of Madhya Pradesh (Dindori District) and Chhattisgarh (Dhamtari ) with significant indigenous tribal population, including the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). The project focuses on improving the livelihoods, infrastructure and access to services for about 1000 PVTG households– Baiga in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Kamar in Chhattisgarh. PVTGs groups like Baiga and Kamars have high levels of income poverty, malnutrition and face significant challenges in accessing health, education and livelihood diversification services and opportunities. Both Dhamtari (CG) and Dindori (MP) are designated as Schedule V areas For Official Use Only which are subject to the provisions of the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution that aims to safeguard the rights and interests of tribal communities, protect them from exploitation and displacement, ensure tribal participation in planning and decision making and promote tribal development while preserving their distinct culture and identity. The state government and the district administration have been implementing various development schemes as well as security measures to address the legacy of Naxalite (Maoist) insurgency in the area. Out of a total area of 408400 hectares. of the Dhamtari district, more than 50% of the area is designated as Forest Land. These forests are in the southern part of the district are the important landscape between the Indravati National Park, Sitanadi and Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary. Similarly, in Dhindori District, approximately 45% of the area is Forest. The forest landscape is between Khana and Bandhavgarh National Parks, Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary. Sal forests are predominant, but apart from Sal and Teak trees, there are other similar varieties of trees. The National Parks and sanctuaries are part of the Central India Tiger Landscape and have several Tiger corridors passing through them. D.2 Overview of Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts [Description of Borrower’s capacity (i.e., prior performance under the Safeguard Policies or ESF, experience applying E&S policies of IFIs, Environmental and social unit/staff already in place) and willingness to manage risks and impacts and of provisions planned or required to have capabilities in place, along with the needs for enhanced support to the Borrower – Max. character limit 2,000] The proposed grant will be received and implemented by a national level NGO – PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action) – with 4 decades of institutional experience and expertise in designing and implementing community development, natural resource management, good agricultural practices, and sustainable livelihood May 13, 2024 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) interventions that are socially, economically, and culturally aligned with the tribal groups, including the PVTGs in Chhattisgarh and MP. PRADAN has ongoing engagement with the targeted PVTG groups in the project area as well as partnerships with the state and local administration in MP and CG. They also have a strong network of local NGOs, technical experts/resource persons, community facilitators on the ground with track record of community-driven development interventions with PVTG communities. Having partnered national and state governments, international donors and foundations on multiple development programs that focus on socioeconomic development of scheduled tribes, PRADAN has robust operational and fiduciary systems for implementing projects responsibly. While PRADAN lacks prior experience with the procedures and documentation related to World Bank’s ESF, it does have robust institutional experience and technical expertise in stakeholder engagement/communication mechanisms in the tribal context, good agricultural practices, forest conservation, community level infrastructure etc. PRADAN will be leveraging this experience to onboard required ES expertise for undertaking environment and social screening and preparing required ESMF/ESMPs. Bank’s ESF experts will be supporting PRADAN through training, TA and supervision support. II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate For Official Use Only A.1 Environmental Risk Rating Moderate [Summary of key factors contributing to risk rating, in accordance with the ES Directive and the Technical Note on Screening and Risk Classification under the ESF – Max. character limit 2,000] The Environmental risk has been assessed to be moderate. Component 1 considers participatory planning of village- level infrastructure, e.g. water supply, sanitation etc. It also intends to improve livelihoods, strengthen diversification, and enhance productivity. No major construction is being envisaged. However, the intervention will be in “scheduled areas” involving Primitive tribal groups. Thus, tangible and intangible cultural heritage (process, spaces, customs, etc) become important. It would require diligent handling of these aspects. Moreover, these communities rely heavily on ecosystem services, so planning and building infrastructure would need to consider these. Component 2 will involve the construction of village infrastructure and housing solutions, which will have environmental impacts due to construction, which would be low scale and can be managed through mitigation measures. However, the traditional building techniques and part of the intangible cultural heritage must be studied and carefully integrated into the planning and construction. Cultural heritage issues are significant but can be handled with culturally appropriate planning and capacity building of government agencies and contractors. The implementing partners who have experience working with PTG are aware of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage but are not acquainted with the ESF processes, and thus, it is considered Moderate. A.2 Social Risk Rating Moderate [Summary of key factors contributing to risk rating, in accordance with the ES Directive and the Technical Note on Screening and Risk Classification under the ESF – Max. character limit 2,000] May 13, 2024 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) The Social Risk Rating is Moderate. The key factors contributing to the risk rating are: i) the project is conceptualized exclusively for socioeconomic and livelihood benefits of the PVTG groups, and the detailed interventions will be based on participatory planning and community endorsement; ii) no land acquisition and involuntary resettlement impacts are not anticipated; iii) construction activities for housing and village infrastructure will be small scale, and ES risks related to construction as well as health and safety of communities and local workers will be minimal, and managed through conventional mitigation measures; iv) labor camps and labor influx is not anticipated; and v) the grant implementing agency has well established credibility and regular engagement with the PVTG communities and local administration, as well as technical expertise to adopt and mainstream ES risk mitigation in the project interventions. A.3 Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) Risk Rating Low [Summary of key factors contributing to risk rating. This attribute is only for the internal version of the download document and not a part of the disclosable version – Max. character limit 2,000] The SEA/SH risk is assessed low mainly because i) construction and civil work will be at household and hamlet levels, and scope of civil contractors, labor camps or labor influx is not envisaged; ii) construction of educational and other community facilities in remote locations away from the village settlements is not anticipated; iii) project implementation team enjoy credibility with target PVTG groups due to their longstanding presence and partnership in the project area, as well as transparent and participatory ways of working, especially with women’s groups; iv) tribal women leaders will play a key role in the project. SEA/SH risks will be revisited during ESMF preparation, community consultations and project preparation activities, and re-rated if needed. For Official Use Only B. Relevance of Standards and Policies at Concept Stage B.1 Relevance of Environmental and Social Standards ESS1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] ESS1 is relevant for assessing the environmental and social risks/impacts associated with the proposed project. Considering the small scale of the village-level infrastructure, the potential ES risks and impacts of the proposed interventions will be assessed through ES screening. The screening will cover potential ES risks and impacts related with i) housing, sanitation and village level infrastructure; ii) agriculture and forest based livelihoods; iii) natural habitats and biodiversity iv) local natural resources; vi) engagement with formal/informal leaders of PVTG groups; vii) tangible and intangible cultural heritage; and viii) positively as well as negatively affected stakeholders, including disadvantaged/vulnerable groups;. The project will prepare, adopt and implement a simplified and practical ESMF that will include exclusion list, screening procedure, ESMPs, implementation and monitoring arrangements. as well as mechanisms to meet the key requirements of the applicable ES ESS10 - Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] This standard is relevant given that proposed grant will be implemented in tribal dominated Schedule V areas and will involve close engagement with PVTG tribal leaders and communities. The stakeholder engagement process has May 13, 2024 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) commenced with PRADAN consulting targeted PVTGs in the project area, and will continue through appraisal and project implementation. The SEP will assess and leverage the existing stakeholder engagement mechanism that PRADAN has been implementing with the target communities including communication, information sharing, consultations, feedback and grievance redressal mechanisms. Key stakeholders will be consulted in local tribal language during the project preparation process, and elements of SEP will be included ESMF. ESS2 - Labor and Working Conditions Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] This standard is relevant since proposed grant will involve direct, contracted (local artisans) and community workers. Construction of small scale, village infrastructure, as well as houses and sanitation facilities will rely on training and engagement of local artisans and construction workers, such as existing brick makers, masons, carpenters. Labor camps, labor influx and child/bonded labor is not anticipated. Suitable labor management procedures will be included as part of the ESMF. ESS3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] Component 2 would look at local livelihoods and explore pathways to strengthen diversification, enhance productivity, and integrate (where possible) climate-smart technologies. To a large extent, the present systems and For Official Use Only traditional practices of the PVTG promote sustainable use of natural resources will be imbibed and reoriented. The effort is to leverage this traditional knowledge and, at the same time, make them resilient and sustainable. The project will institute a process in the ESMF that will ensure that this dovetailing happens while the livelihoods are diversified and the income opportunities increase; and at the same time natural resources are sustainably utilised. Thus, ESS 3 is considered relevant. ESS4 - Community Health and Safety Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] The project intervention does not include any large or medium scale infrastructure that will involve labor camps, construction machinery, waste dumping, increased vehicular movement or any other hazardous activity which could adversely affect the health and safety of project-affected communities. Neither is it likely that the community will be exposed to diseases and hazardous materials. However, PVTGs rely on a number of ecosystem services for their day- to-day living and livelihoods. Suitable measures will be incorporated in the ESMF to ensure that the ecosystem services critical for tribal lives and livelihoods are not disturbed. Given that project teams have longstanding partnership with the PVTG communities, the SEA/SH risks from community-based interventions such as well as training in agriculture, livelihoods and construction skills are expected to be low. ESS5 - Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Not Currently Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] May 13, 2024 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) Land acquisition and physical and/or economic displacement due to construction of housing, sanitation and other small scale village infrastructure is not anticipated. Any subprojects involving physical displacement and/or adverse impacts on customary lands, forests, water resources and cultural properties will be ineligible for grant support. Project interventions without broad community support and/or beneficiary willingness will also be ineligible for support. Use of panchayat or government land for village infrastructure will be assessed during project preparation and suitable guidelines on screening, risk mitigation and negative list will be included in the ESMF. ESS6 - Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Relevant Resources [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] The interventions proposed for improving livelihood should integrate conservation needs and development priorities. Scaling up the livelihood opportunities using natural resources can lead to over-exploitation and loss of biodiversity. An impact on biodiversity can adversely impact the ecosystem services on which the PVTGS are heavily dependent. It is thus important that risk and impacts on biodiversity are carefully assessed and the ecological resources are sustainably used for each of the interventions proposed. The ESMF will set out the procedure for sustainable use of the ecological resource. ESS7 - Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Relevant Local Communities For Official Use Only [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] ESS 7 is relevant because both Dhamtari (CG) and Dindori (MP) districts have Schedule V areas with significant tribal population, which includes PVTGs. Given that project interventions are planned exclusively for PVTGs, the entire grant will act like an IPDP, and a separate IPDP/IPPF will not be required. To meet the policy requirements of ESS7, the ESMF will lay down procedures on information sharing/disclosure and meaningful consultations in local tribal language, adaption of project interventions to specific social and and cultural needs of PVTGs, obtaining Gram Sabha’s consent for proposed interventions, complying with constitutional safeguards in Schedule V areas and mechanism for greivance redressal. Subprojects involving physical and economic displacement of PVTG households, adverse impacts on customary lands, forest and habitat rights, natural resources, ecosystem services as well as tribal cultural heritage will be prohibited. FPIC is not anticipated. ESS8 - Cultural Heritage Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] It is unlikely that the project interventions are not likely to impact any tangible cultural heritage. However, PVTGS have several intangible cultural heritage (customs, traditions and practices), including agricultural practices, practices for preparing dwelling units, and obtaining ecosystem services, e.g. provisioning and regulating services. These need to be respected and integrated into the project design and planning. Further, there may be spaces or artefacts to which the PVTGs attach significance; these need to be identified, understood, and appropriately handled in planning May 13, 2024 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) the village infrastructure, housing and livelihood promotion under the project. The ESMF will identify relevant practices and indicate methodology to integrate them into the project's design and implementation. ESS9 - Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant [Optional Explanation - Max. character limit 1,000] B.2 Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Operations on International Waterways No OP 7.60 Operations in Disputed Areas No B.3 Other Salient Features Use of Borrower Framework No [Optional explanation – Max. character limit 1,000] This proposed JSDF grant will be implemented by PRADAN, which is a leading NGO working on social and economic For Official Use Only development of indigenous tribal populations, including the PVTG in the project area. PRADAN has complied with national/state legislation applicable to schedule V and forest areas, however it has not worked with World Bank's safeguards or ESF. Hence, borrowers framework is not being proposed. Use of Common Approach No [Optional Explanation including list of possible financing partners – Max. character limit 1,000] No other Financing Partners B.4 Summary of Assessment of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts [Description provided will not be disclosed but will flow as a one time flow to the Concept Stage PID – Max. character limit 5,000] The Environmental risk rating is moderate. Construction of housing, sanitation and community infrastructure will be small-scale and no medium or major construction activity is anticipated. Potential construction linked impacts on local environment, natural resources and ecosystem services will be small in scale and scope, reversible and will be avoided or fully addressed through conventional mitigation actions. Adapting the project interventions to the specific customary needs, preferences and cultural heritage and practices will be important. Infrastructure planning and building will be factoring in potential impacts on ecosystem services that are critical for the target communities. Conservation and development of tangible and intangible cultural heritage will be fully integrated in planning, siting and construction of infrastructure and livelihood interventions. May 13, 2024 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) The social risk rating for this project is moderate. Several key factors contribute to this rating. The project is designed exclusively to provide socioeconomic and livelihood benefits to PVTGs with interventions based on strong community consultations, participatory planning, inclusive beneficiary targeting, and leveraging of local, indigenous expertise and resources. Construction activities for housing and village infrastructure will be small-scale with low risks/impacts for local communities and workers. Labor camps or labor influx is not envisaged. Land acquisition or physical and/or economic displacement is not envisaged. The implementing agency has a strong track record of working with PVTG communities and local administration, along with basic technical expertise and institutional willingness to mitigate any environmental and social risks effectively. The Grant Implementing Agency (PRADAN) lacks prior experience with the procedures and documentation related to World Bank’s ESF. However, it does have robust institutional experience and technical expertise in stakeholder engagement/communication mechanisms in the tribal context, good agricultural practices, forest conservation, tribal livelihood development, gender and inclusive approaches and planning and implementation of community infrastructure etc. PRADAN will be leveraging this experience to onboard required ES expertise for undertaking environment and social screening and preparing required ESMF/ESMPs. Bank’s ESF experts will be supporting PRADAN through training, TA and supervision support. C. Overview of Required Environmental and Social Risk Management Activities C.1 What Borrower environmental and social analyses, instruments, plans and/or frameworks are planned or required by Appraisal? For Official Use Only [Description of expectations in terms of documents to be prepared to assess and manage the project’s environmental and social risks and by when (i.e., prior to Effectiveness, or during implementation), highlighted features of ESA documents, other project documents where environmental and social measures are to be included, and the related due diligence process planned to be carried out by the World Bank, including sources of information for the due diligence - Max. character limit 3,000] A practical Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) will be prepared that would include a) description of E&S risks/impacts; b) Exclusion/Negative List; c) Safeguard Screening Criteria and Procedure for selected interventions; d) ESMPs with key risk mitigation measures, along with Environmental and Social Code of Practices (ESCoPs) to address typical construction-related risks and impacts;; e) Guidelines for community health and safety and chance find procedures for cultural heritage; f) guidelines to comply with ESS7 on indigenous peoples; g) ES arrangements for Implementation, capacity building, monitoring and reporting and budget. Key mechanisms of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Labor Management Procedures (LMP) will be included in dedicated sections of the ESMF. Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) will be prepared. ESMF and ESCP will be disclosed before appraisal. III. CONTACT POINT Contact Point Task Team Leader: Anna Charlotte O'Donnell Title: Lead Social Development Specialist May 13, 2024 Page 9 of 10 The World Bank India Supporting Socioeconomic Development And Livelihood Security Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (P500380) Email: aodonnell@worldbank.org TTL Contact: Varun Singh Job Title: Senior Social Development Specialist Email: vsingh1@worldbank.org IV. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects V. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Anna Charlotte O'Donnell, Varun Singh ADM Environmental Specialist: Avijit Ghosh ADM Social Specialist: Swati Dogra For Official Use Only May 13, 2024 Page 10 of 10