Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN (SEP) October 2024 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Table of Contents 1 Introduction and Product Description ............................................................... 8 1.1 Project Locations ........................................................................................... 9 2 Purpose of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) .......................................... 11 2.1 Objective/Description of SEP....................................................................... 11 2.2 Methodology ................................................................................................ 11 3 Stakeholder Engagement Program (SEP) ...................................................... 14 3.1 Summary of stakeholder engagement done during project preparation ...... 14 3.2 Proposed strategy to incorporate the views of vulnerable groups ............... 24 4 Resources and Responsibilities for implementing stakeholder engagement .. 25 5 Grievance Mechanism .................................................................................... 30 5.1 Description of Grievance Mechanism (GM) ................................................. 30 6 Monitoring and Reporting ............................................................................... 33 6.1 Reporting back to stakeholder groups ......................................................... 34 List of Tables Table 2.1 Mapping of Stakeholders under TN SHORE ............................................ 11 Table 3.1 List of locations and participants in community consultations .................. 14 Table 3.2 Community consultations output .............................................................. 15 Table 3.3 Proposed Strategy for Information Dissemination, Disclosure and Responsible Parties ................................................................................................. 18 Table 4.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff for Implementing SEP ....................... 28 Table 6.1 Monitoring Plan (not exhaustive) .............................................................. 33 List of Figures Figure 1.1 Project Location Map .............................................................................. 10 Figure 4.1 Tamil Nadu Project Organogram ............................................................. 26 Figure 4.2 Tamil Nadu SPMU Structure ................................................................... 26 Figure 4.3 Tamil Nadu SPMU Support ..................................................................... 27 Page |2 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan List of Abbreviations AP Affected Person CBO Community–Based Organization CMP Coastal Management Plan CPR Common Property Resources CVCA Critically Vulnerable Coastal Areas DFOs District Forest Officers DLC District Level Committee DPR Detailed Project Reports EbA Ecosystem-based Approach EDC Education Development Centre EHSG Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines EIA Environment Impact Assessment ESA Ecologically Sensitive Areas ESF Environmental and Social Framework ESIA Environment & Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental & Social Management Framework ESS Environmental and Social Standards FC Forest Conservation FGD Focus Group Discussion FI Financial Intermediaries GBV Gender-Based Violence GoI Government of India GoTN Government of Tamil Nadu GRC. Grievance Redressal Committees GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism GTNM Green Tamil Nadu Mission HH Households HPSC High Powered Steering Committee IA Implementing Agency ICC Internal Complaint Committee ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management ICZMP Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan IEC Information Education Communication IMP Integrated Management Plans LAP Livelihood Action Plan LMP Labour Management Procedure MoEF&CC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MRF Material Recycling Facility MSP Marine Spatial Planning NCSCM National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management NCZMA National Coastal Zone Management Authority NDMA National Disaster Management Authority NGO Non-governmental Organisation NP National Park O&M Operation and Maintenance OHS Occupational Health and Safety PA Protected Areas Page |3 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan PAP Project Affected Person PF Protected Forest PEA Project Executing Agency PVTGs Particularly Vulnerable Groups QPR Quarterly Progress Report RAP Resettlement Action Plan RF Reserved Forest RPF Resettlement Policy Framework SCZMA State Coastal Zone Management Authority SEA/SH Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment SEP Stakeholder Engagement Plan SES Socio-Economic Survey SH Sexual Harassment SHG Self -Help Groups SIA Social Impact Assessment SM Social Mapping SPMU Special Project Management Unit SPV Special Purpose Vehicle ST Scheduled Tribe STP Sewage Treatment Plant TCPO Town and Country Planning Organization TNBCA Tamil Nadu Blue Carbon Agency TNCCM Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission TNCRM Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission TNGCC Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company TNSCZMA Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority TN-SHORE Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Economy TNWM Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission ULB Urban Local Body WB World Bank WHH Women Headed Households Page |4 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Executive Summary Project Description The SHORE (Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy) Program aims to increase the resilience of targeted coastal communities and ecosystems in India. In the state of Tamil Nadu it is proposed to be implemented as TN-SHORE with the following project components: Component 1: Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management.; Component 2: Shoreline management, coastal protection and conservation; Component 3: Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities; Component 4: Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management and Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC). TN-SHORE program falls in 14 coastal districts viz., Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Thiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts. Although the project interventions are planned for fourteen coastal districts of the state, impetus on key activities are focussed in seven districts namely, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin. Purpose of Stakeholder Engagement Plan The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been developed to define a program for stakeholder engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation throughout the entire project cycle�. The SEP outlines the ways in which the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment (FEE), Government of Karnataka, will communicate with stakeholders and includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about the project and any activities related to the project. The SEP specifically emphasizes methods to engage groups considered most vulnerable and that are at risk of being left out of project benefits. Stakeholder Identification During project preparation, the public consultation meetings were conducted in different project locations covering three districts namely Chennai, Ramanthapuram and Cuddalore during the month of November and December 2023. The consultations were initiated about the concept of the TN-SHORE project and its aims and objectives and components. People expressed their opinions and concerns and gave feedback on prevailing socio economic and environmental issues in their areas. Community level consultations includes multiple stakeholders, like (i) Past/Current Elected Representatives, village residents, (ii) Women’s Village Organization, SHGs, (iii) Forest Department and staff /Fisheries Department representatives, (iv) Vulnerable Households, (vi) local vendors; existing road user groups/population and local representatives. A total number of 122 participants were addressed during the community level consultations. Generally, people welcomed the project which will improve the condition of the society. Common concerns that emerged included: high level of industrial pollution, climate change affecting fish landing, change in water quality, no awareness about Ecology/ Environmental sensitive areas and need for conservation; no proper house to safeguard their assets during extreme weather conditions. One of the prevailing problems is sea erosion and expectation was for the government to provide/create livelihood sources, while small scale skill development programme is the expectation of women. The stakeholders have been identified and analysed with respect to project components. The project information, potential environmental and social impacts of the project, role of the stakeholders, and challenges related to project were discussed with the participants. The following stakeholders have been identified and analysed per project component. Affected Page |5 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan parties include those likely to experience temporary disruptions due to construction works such as local communities in their access to livelihoods, the fishermen community, daily wage labours and migrant workers, boat operators, beach vendors, rag pickers and coastal community, rag consumers, shopkeepers/retailers/vendors, fisherfolk, coastal communities, small holder farmers, SHGs, community settlements near creak, labours, transporters, fishing community. Other interested parties include fishermen & local community settlements, tourists, visitors, beach vendors who operate in the vicinity as well as municipal bodies, manufacturers of alternatives, recyclers agencies, local community, researchers and NGO. The disadvantaged groups are daily wage labours, migrant workers, landless, labourers and women, waste pickers/collectors, Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and women headed families in the coastal communities. Stakeholder engagement program The preferred strategy for disclosure of information on project components and related interventions/activities. The participants suggested that community meetings and focus group discussion would be the most effective ways to interact with the project communities including vulnerable group and other affected groups. Representatives of different government agencies involved in the project should also be present in order to provide detailed understanding on the project interventions and clarity on all activities. In addition to this, future meetings and Information Education Communication (IEC) activities should be ensured and augmented with presentations, posters, banners, leaflets, pamphlets, wall paintings, notice boards for clear and easy understanding of the project related activities and the importance of people’s involvement in the project. Additionally, the project will seek the views of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups identified with such groups, though routine meetings and Focus group Discussion (FGDs) and deploy community cadre/blue cadre and provide them with information. Responsibilities and Budget for implementing stakeholder engagement The project will be implemented by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu through a two-tier implementation structure: (i) State Project Management Unit housed in the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) under the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu. The SPMU is headed by the Project Director and s/he shall be responsible for implementing SEP. District Climate Change Missions (DCCMs) have been established in coastal districts with representatives from other departments for coordinating the project implementation also part of SEP implementing agency. The Project Executing Agencies (PEAs) shall be responsible for the overall implementation of the activities pertaining to their respective coastal districts. The PEAs will prepare the annual plans and budgets requirements, which will be approved by the SPMU. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through a Progress Report annually. which will involve community engagement operations, collecting and processing of grievances, and maintaining a SEMS database developed and maintained by the PMU. The tentative budget estimate for the preparing and implementing SEP is INR 9.34 Crores (Nine Crore and Thirty Four Lakhs). Grievance Mechanism SPMU headed by the Project Director, TN SHORE will be responsible for all project related issues including grievance resolution. Each of the PEAs in 14 Districts will establish a Grievance Redressal Committee headed by the respective Head of District Offices viz. District Forest Officers (DFOs), District Collectors, District Environment Engineers etc., The PEA’s will keep records of grievances received, including contact details of the complainant, the date the complaint was received, the nature of the grievance, agreed corrective actions and the date these were affected and the final outcome. The project MIS will record and report on all complaints received from all the different mediums. The number of grievances recorded and resolved and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed in the PIU’s office, as well as reported Page |6 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan in monitoring reports submitted to World Bank on quarterly or semi-annual basis. All resolutions shall be communicated to the aggrieved party / complainant(s). In case of complaints relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, will be ethically received and confidentially managed. Complaints in this regard will be forwarded directly by the PEA to the SPMU, for appropriate investigation and resolution therein ensuring that survivor/victim identity and case details are known only to key persons. PEAs will also ensure the setting up of labor GRMs by the various contractors and monitor their functioning. They will ensure that the contractors submit information on grievance management as part of the monthly progress reporting. Monitoring and Reporting The SEP will be monitored based on both qualitative reporting (based on progress reports) and quantitative reporting linked to results indicators on stakeholder engagement and grievance performance. In particular, it will include cumulative qualitative reporting on the feedback received during SEP activities, capacity building actions, community level discussions on various actions, segregated by gender, functioning of grievance mechanism. Also, in terms of reporting back to stakeholder groups, Information on public engagement activities undertaken by the Project during the year would be conveyed to the stakeholders in various ways such as letters, media briefings, etc. Page |7 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Introduction and Product Description Coastal and maritime space of India are essential for achieving sustainable economic development. They provide inputs to India’s blue economy sectors such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, transport, mining, and services. India has embarked on a mission to capture the huge growth potential of the coastal and marine resources through their optimal utilization and protection. Endowed with abundant natural resources and biodiversity of global significance, India’s coastal and marine ecosystems provide multiple national, local, and global benefits. The coastline which stretches over 7500 km is home to 250 million people and 18,000 known species of flora and fauna. Mangroves, sand dunes, coastal wetlands, coral reefs, mudflats, and reserved forests provide important ecosystem services, support disaster risk reduction and mitigation functions, improve livelihoods and provide economic benefits. Despite ecological richness and contribution to the national economy, India’s coastal ecosystems continue to deteriorate. Many economic activities along the coast overlap and lead to competing demands between users and adversely impact coastal ecosystems and diminishing their value. Pollution, intensive commercial fishing, and development pressure, climate-induced weather extremes and coastal erosion make ecosystem-dependent communities particularly vulnerable. Coastal states continually experience human and natural pressures and the adverse impacts of climate change. They are highly exposed to climate hazards that include cyclones and rising sea- levels, bringing floods and erosion, which in turn, inflict a great loss of lives and livelihoods, especially among the mostly impoverished coastal communities. The SHORE (Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy) Program aims to increase the resilience of targeted coastal communities and ecosystems in India. The following components of the SHORE Program correspond to the specific challenges and opportunities and underlying concerns which the Program aims to address. (i) Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management. This component aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability performance of ICZM tools used by the national and state agencies by expanding the range of technical and management adaptation measures for reducing the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems and livelihoods, as identified in the NCM. This component will finance consulting services, goods, training, and project management costs. (ii) Shoreline management, coastal protection and conservation. This component aims to enhance the ecological sustainability and resilience of the coastal physical and natural assets. Project investments will support interventions for (a) preventing/reducing coastal erosion and its impacts; (b) maintaining the ecological functions of coastal ecosystems and landscapes that deliver protection services to coastal communities from environmental and climate hazards, and (c) strengthening the environmental and ecosystem monitoring systems. (iii) Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities. This component aims to promote climate-resilient and adaptable development in coastal communities. Community livelihood activities with potential to boost community incomes, promote sustainable use of natural resources, and to Page |8 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan enhance the resilience of marine and coastal resources to changing conditions, will be supported. (iv) Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management. This component aims to mitigate the threats to marine and coastal resources from plastic pollution and to reduce the risks of environmental degradation. It will finance location-specific watershed-based activities for reducing plastic leakage and pollution using a “source to sink� approach. (v) Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC). It will allow the recipient to request the World Bank to reallocate uncommitted project funds, following an eligible crisis or emergency Project Locations Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state of India. Located on the south-eastern coast of the Indian peninsula, Tamil Nadu is straddled by the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau in the west, the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Eastern Coastal Plains lining the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait to the south-east, the Laccadive Sea at the southern cape of the peninsula and the state is divided into 38 districts. Tamil Nadu possess the second longest coastline of 1076 km along the Bay of Bengal uniquely extending into the Arabian Sea, thereby covering east and west coast of India. The project falling in 14 coastal districts viz., Thiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Thiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts which are shown in Figure 1.1. Although the project interventions are planned for 14 coastal districts of the state, impetus on key activities are focussed in 7 districts namely, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin. Page |9 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Figure 0.1 Project Location Map P a g e | 10 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Purpose of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Objective/Description of SEP The overall objective of SEP is to define a program for stakeholder engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation throughout the entire project cycle. The SEP outlines the ways in which TNGCC and other Project Executing agencies (PEAs) will communicate with stakeholders and includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about the project and any activities related to the project. The SEP specifically emphasizes methods to engage groups considered most vulnerable and that are at risk of being left out of project benefits. Methodology For the TN-SHORE, the following stakeholders have been identified and analysed per project component. These stakeholders are presented by activity and category in the table below: Table 0.1 Mapping of Stakeholders under TN SHORE Disadvantaged Project Project Affected Other Interested & vulnerable Component Persons (AP) Parties groups Component 1: Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management 1. Biodiversity local community who Local community, Conservation Park might experience visitors, tourists, at Kadambur, temporary disruptions to construction Chengalpattu access/livelihoods during workers, local and District construction migrant workers 2. Sea Turtle Fishermen Community Fishermen Daily wage labor, Conservation who might experience Community, Local migrant workers Centre at temporary disruptions to community, Nagapattinam and access/livelihoods during tourists/visitors to Chennai construction the national park (at Guindy, Chennai), visitors, 3. International Fishermen Community, Fishermen Daily wage labor, Dugong Local community Community, Local migrant workers Conservation settlements, tourists, community Centre at Manora, visitors, beach vendors, settlements, Thanjavur District who might experience tourists, visitors, temporary disruptions to beach vendors, access/livelihoods during construction construction workers 4. Coastal Wetlands Local community local body, Landless (including settlements, tourists, Labourers, Pallikaranai) visitors who might women Conservation experience temporary disruptions to P a g e | 11 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Disadvantaged Project Project Affected Other Interested & vulnerable Component Persons (AP) Parties groups access/livelihoods during construction Component 2: Shoreline management, Coastal Protection and conservation 1. Enhancing Fishermen community, local body, Daily wage labor, Coastal Resilience: local community, migrant workers, Mangroves, Seagrass, and Blue Carbon solutions 2. Erosion control Fishermen community local bodies Daily wage labor, and Coral migrant restoration at Kariyachalli Islands, Gulf of Mannar ecosystems Component 3: Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities 1. Blue Flag Fishermen, boat Beach management rag pickers, Beaches operators, Beach committees (as per fishermen, boat Vendors, Rag Pickers Blue Flag beaches operators criteria), Water quality testing agencies/firms Coastal community, tourists, 2. Sustainable Fishermen community, Coastal community, fishermen, boat Tourism Beach Vendors, Rag tourists operators Pickers, 3. Diversified Fishermen, Beach SHGs/NGOs, local fishermen, boat livelihoods for a Vendors, Coastal authorities operators thriving Blue Community, Economy Component 4: Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management 1. Advancing Rag Consumers Municipal bodies, waste Meendum Shopkeepers/retailers/ manufacturers of pickers/collectors Manjappai1 - vendors alternatives Strengthening Recyclers agencies. Plastic Circularity. 2. Climate Smart Fisherfolk, Coastal Local community, Women headed Coastal Villages; Communities, small researchers, NGO, families holder farmers SHGs 1 “Meendum Manjappai� is a campaign launched by the Tamil Nadu government aimed at promoting the use of cloth bags and reducing the reliance on single-use plastic bags. The term “Manjappai� in Tamil refers to the traditional yellow cloth bag, which is being encouraged as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address environmental concerns related to plastic waste and to revive the use of sustainable, reusable bags. P a g e | 12 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Disadvantaged Project Project Affected Other Interested & vulnerable Component Persons (AP) Parties groups 3. Ennore Creek Community settlements Larger Community BPL households, Restoration. near creak, Labours, NGO, Contractor, Women headed transporters, fishing families of community. coastal community P a g e | 13 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Stakeholder Engagement Program (SEP) Summary of stakeholder engagement done during project preparation During project preparation, the following public consultation meetings will be/were conducted in different project locations covering the districts and included Self Help Groups (SHG), DFO, Fisheries Department, community people, etc. A detailed discussion guide was prepared to capture the socio-economic status, concerns, challenges and requirements of the people. The consultations were initiated with a detailed introduction and discussion about the concept of the TN-SHORE project and its aims and objectives and components. The project development objectives - to increase coastal protection and conservation, enhance livelihood benefits and reduce marine pollution in coastal communities of the State of Tamil Nadu - were also explained during stakeholder consultations. People expressed their opinions and concerns and gave feedback on prevailing socio economic and environmental issues in their areas. Sub-groups were formed for gender disaggregated discussions. SHG members, farmers, panchayat members, DFO, Fisheries Department and Political groups were also consulted. The main components of the TN-SHORE project were explained verbally to all the groups that were consulted. The feedback received from various levels and categories of consultations during the period of November and December 2023, is summarised and presented in this section. Community level consultations included multiple stakeholders, (i) Past/Current Elected Representatives, village residents, (ii) Women’s Village Organization, SHGs, ( iii) Forest Department and staff /Fisheries Department representatives, (iv) Vulnerable Households, (vi) local vendors; existing road user groups/population and local representatives. A total number of 47 participants were addressed during the community level consultations at various districts as provided in Table 3.1 below. Photographs of the consultation are provided in Annexure 1. Table 0.1 List of locations and participants in community consultations Sl. Date District Location Block/Taluk No. of Participants Male Female No Appar Street, 1 28.11.2023 North Chennai Beach Road, Tiruvottriyur 10 2 8 Tiruvottriyur 2 02.12.2023 Ramanathapuram Devipattinam Ramanathapuram 15 11 4 Vedhalai 3 02.12.2023 Ramanathapuram Mandapam 18 12 6 village Kinjampettai 4. 14.12.2023 Cuddalore Vadalur 30 10 20 Village T.S.Pettai 5. 15.12.2023 Cuddalore Parangipettai 49 40 9 Village, Total 122 75 47 P a g e | 14 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Table 0.2 Community consultations output Stakeholders No. of Location Consultation Outcomes Needs and suggestions Consulted Participants Appar Street, Residents of 10 • Women are involved in SHGs • Cyclone intimations need to be more effective and Beach Road, Tiruvottriyur; and run micro-finance for their robust. Tiruvottriyur, Fishermen tiny businesses. • Prior intimation is required on new govt. and North Chennai. groups, • Fishermen are supported with private projects and people need to be consulted. Women self- cash through schemes such as • Would Expect jobs from the project ensuing as help groups National Marine Fishermen also from the nearby industries (SHG), Saving cum Relief Scheme and • Need Proper house to safeguard their assets Peoples from during fishing ban period. during cyclone and other natural calamities. nearly • Common observations by the • Embankments should be constructed to prevent settlements, participants were – land erosion and soil salinity. Forest • High level of industrial pollution • Need more skill development programme to enrich department • Climate change affecting fish the women’s livelihood. officials. catch • drainage system should be providing to avoid • Water quality changed to being damages due to flooding. more saline • Need overhead water tanks for sweet water • Decrease in income due to (OHT). lessening of catch • Ice plant, cold storages, fish processing units, • No awareness about Ecology/ warehouses for fish storage, modern fishing Environmental sensitive areas equipment, net mending sheds, etc. are highly and need for conservation required. • After Tsunami in 2004, amount of • Playground, library facilities are necessary for fish catch reduced considerably children. • After Covid huge loss of income • GPS equipment of tracing the location of boats is and business necessary. • They would welcome projects • Cyclone awareness programme and emergency that will improve the condition of preparedness training is necessary. the society and improve of their livelihood and increase welfare. • Not interested for relocation P a g e | 15 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Stakeholders No. of Location Consultation Outcomes Needs and suggestions Consulted Participants • No proper house to safeguard their assets during cyclone and other abnormal weather conditions • Very much scare about Sea Erosion • Expecting Government to provide/create livelihood source • Expecting Women Small scale skill development programme Devipattina, People of 15 • There are 3 active SHGs, involved • More educational, vocational and training facilities Ramanathapur coastal area in savings and providing finance to are required. am Self-help members in need. • For any new project, prior intimation should be groups (SHG), • Fishermen are supported with given to the community so that positive impacts Fishermen cash through schemes such as can be garnered by the people and provide groups, National marine Fishermen support. by the government /private before doing Ward Saving cum Relief Scheme and any activities. members, during fishing ban period. • Need streetlights and regularity in electricity Forest • Observation by participants. supply. department • Climate change and resultant • Under-employment and un-employment are of big staffs. reduction in fish catch specifically concern. after Tsunami. • Livelihood opportunities need to be created • Covid also impacted their income through new projects. and business negatively. • Ice plants, fish processing units, warehouses for • Income has decreased over the fish storage, fishing equipment, net mending years. sheds, etc., are required. • Primary catch is prawn, fish, and • Playground, Library facilities are required for crabs (seasonal), the quantity has children. reduced now. • Fish processing areas, boat anchoring /parking • Good communication between (specifically during cyclones), market Forest Rangers and the people development, are necessary. P a g e | 16 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Stakeholders No. of Location Consultation Outcomes Needs and suggestions Consulted Participants and sharing of forestry related • Boat parking space required specifically for information. cyclone period. • Fishermen practice conservation • Construction of embankments is required to by not catching the small, reduce and mitigate soil erosion. embryonic and undeveloped fish. • Skill development programme • GPS equipment of tracking the location of boats is necessary. • Good fish auction hall is very important. The existing one needs to be renovated. • Boat repairs centres to be initiated by the government/provide subsidy. • People, especially, women look forward to small scale skill development programs like prawn processing, pickle making for value addition to fishing which would increase their income. P a g e | 17 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Table 0.3 Proposed Strategy for Information Dissemination, Disclosure and Responsible Parties Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency Component 1 - Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management Preparation and Partner/Project Information on the • Orientation/consultation PEA, SPMU, Periodic/need Implementation executing activity/initiatives including: inter-departmental TNGCC based agencies, local • purpose, benefits, meetings at various authorities/beach impacts (if any adverse) levels, authorities, • clearances/permits if • Guidelines/circulars Throughout project contractors, PMC any • Tender advertisements period (if applicable) • commencement and for vendors on completion; website/newspapers • project • Disclosure of E&S execution/timelines documents on the • support measures for website affected communities, if any • Preparation of ESDDs, ESMPs and their disclosure on the respective websites and also inclusion of ESMPs in bid documents • Need to setup new GRM or operationalize existing GRMs Preparation and local community, Information on the • Consultation meetings PEA, SPMU, Periodic/need Implementation visitors, tourists, activity/initiatives including: • pamphlets/brochures/ TNGCC & based construction • purpose, benefits, • Signboards/notice Consultants workers, local and impacts (if any adverse) boards migrant • restrictions – • Newspaper notifications Throughout project construction permanent or • Announcements – over period workers; temporary, if any PA system Fishermen P a g e | 18 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency Community Local • period of • FGDs for vulnerable community commencement and groups settlements, beach completion; vendors, • provisions for community cadres assistances in case of relocation • GRM available for redressal of grievances Component 2 – Shoreline management, Coastal Protection and conservation Preparation and Partner/Project Information on the • Orientation/consultation PEA, SPMU & Periodic/need Implementation executing activity/initiatives including: inter-departmental TNGCC based agencies, local • purpose, benefits, meetings at various authorities impacts (if any adverse) levels, • communication • Guidelines, circulars Throughout project approaches if any period • clearances/permits if any • commencement and completion; • project execution/timelines support measures for affected communities, if any • devising and delivering of provisions for alternative livelihoods/skill development for rag pickers; entitlements if any for fishermen, boating community P a g e | 19 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency • Need to setup new GRM or operationalize existing GRMs Preparation and Fishermen Information on the • Consultation meetings PEA, SPMU, Periodic/need Implementation community, local activity/initiatives including: • pamphlets/brochures/ TNGCC & based community • purpose, benefits, • Signboards/notice Consultants local bodies impacts (if any adverse) boards Rag Pickers • restrictions – • Newspaper notifications Throughout project Coastal permanent or • Announcements – over period community, temporary, if any PA system tourists, Beach • period of • FGDs for vulnerable Vendors commencement and groups completion; • alternative livelihoods/skill development • entitlement provisions • GRM available for redressal of grievances Component 3 - Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities Preparation and Partner/Project information on the • Orientation/consultation PEA, SPMU & Monthly/Quarterly Implementation executing activity/initiatives including: inter-departmental TNGCC, Or as per agencies, local • criteria (blue flag meetings at various requirement authorities and beaches) purpose, levels, beach benefits, impacts (if any • Guidelines/circulars management adverse) • Tenders for contracting committees • Formation of beach Water quality testing (including local management firms/agencies (in representatives) committees as per Blue accordance with Blue and local Flag beach criteria Flag beach criteria) authorities; • communication published in newspapers approaches in and on websites P a g e | 20 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency Water Quality accordance with Blue testing Flag beach criteria agencies/firms, • water quality testing SHGs/NGOs clearances/permits if any • commencement and completion; • project execution/timelines • livelihood programs and support mechanisms • support measures for affected communities, if any devising and delivering of provisions for alternative livelihoods/skill development for rag pickers; entitlements if any for fishermen, boating community • Need to setup new GRM or operationalize existing GRMs Preparation and Fishermen Information on the • Consultation meetings PEA, SPMU, Monthly/Quarterly Implementation Beach Vendors activity/initiatives including: • pamphlets/brochures/ TNGCC & Or as per Rag Pickers, • purpose, benefits, • Signboards/notice Consultants requirement Coastal impacts (if any adverse) boards Communities, • restrictions – • Public engagement as Blue cadre permanent or per Blue Flag beach temporary if any criteria including beach management committee, P a g e | 21 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency • period of announcements – over commencement and PA system, notice completion; boards etc. • alternative • Newspaper notifications livelihoods/skill development • livelihood enhancement schemes and support mechanism including NGOs/SHGs • entitlement provisions • GRM available for redressal of grievances Component 4 - Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management Preparation and Partner/Project Information on the • Orientation/consultation PEA, SPMU & On contract Implementation executing activity/initiatives including: workshops/inter- TNGCC, initiation agencies, local • Concept of Climate departmental meetings Monthly/ Quarterly authorities, smart coastal villages at various levels, Municipal • purpose, benefits, • Guidelines/circulars bodies,etc. impacts (if any adverse) • Tenders for • restrictions – NGOs/SHGs, permanent or contractors for temporary, if any procurement of bags • period of (Manjappai, commencement and development of Coastal completion; villages) that are • alternative published in newspapers livelihoods/skill and on websites development • entitlement provisions P a g e | 22 Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources and Economy Projects Target Topic of Responsible Timing/ Project stage Method used stakeholders consultation/message Parties Frequency • Need to setup new GRM or operationalize existing GRMs Preparation and • manufacturers Information on the • Consultation meetings PEA, SPMU, Monthly/ Quarterly Implementation of alternatives activity/initiatives including: • pamphlets/brochures/ TNGCC & • Recyclers • Concept of Climate • Signboards/notice Consultants agencies smart coastal villages boards • Fisherfolk, • purpose, benefits, • Newspaper notifications Coastal impacts (if any adverse) Communities • restrictions – • NGO, permanent or • Community temporary, if any settlements • period of near creak, commencement and • Labours, completion; • fishing • alternative community livelihoods/skill • NGO, development Contractor • GRM available for redressal of grievances P a g e | 23 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan During the consultation, discussions were also conducted on the preferred strategy for disclosure of information on project components and related interventions/activities. The participants suggested that community meetings and focus group discussion would be the most effective ways to interact with the project communities including vulnerable group and other affected groups. representatives of different government agencies involved in the project should also be present in order to provide detailed understanding on the project interventions and clarity on all activities. This will help in providing a platform to all these groups to express their views and opinions on the project and also provide local wisdom on various aspects. In addition to this, future meetings and Information Education Communication(IEC) activities should be ensured and augmented with presentations, posters, banners, leaflets, pamphlets, wall paintings, notice boards for clear and easy understanding of the project related activities and the importance of people’s involvement in these. Summary of project stakeholder needs and methods, tools and techniques for stakeholder engagement. The proposed strategy for information dissemination, disclosure and responsible parties are described in Table 3.3 Proposed strategy to incorporate the views of vulnerable groups The project will seek the views of [vulnerable or disadvantaged groups identified] through the following methods of consultations with such groups, discussions with officials of various local bodies, police etc. The following measures will be taken to remove obstacles to full and enabling participation / access to information such as routine meetings and FGDs with the most vulnerable stakeholders and deploy community cadre/blue cadre and provide them with information. 3.3. Security Management As the powers and duties of officers and employees of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department empower Forest Services Officers to use arms/ weapons as part of carrying out their conservation/ protection/ “vigilance� mandates, in such sub-projects involving forestry, mangrove plantation/restoration etc. TNGCC will adopt the following approach in etc. as outlined in the ESMF: a) while preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) will undertake consultations with communities in the area to elicit their concerns, if any, and the forest officials (range officer and forest guards); b) record the summary of these consultations in the DPRs and c) based on above include commensurate measures of orientation and training will be listed in the ESMPs (embedded in the DPR). Further, i) procurement plans submitted by TNGCC SPMU to Bank would be screened to confirm that no rifles or ammunition are being financed under the SHORE Project; and ii) as required under Incident reporting in ESCP, incidents involving Forest Services Officers would be reported to the Bank, making clear that such incidents are in fact “project-related�. P a g e | 24 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Resources and Responsibilities for implementing stakeholder engagement 1. In Tamil Nadu, the project will be implemented as the ‘Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission’ by the State Project Management Unit housed in the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) under the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu . The SPMU is headed by a Project Director, comprising department officials and supported by consultants for implementation of technical, financial, procurement, environmental and social safeguards aspects. District Climate Change Missions (DCCMs) have been established in coastal districts with representatives from other departments for coordinating the project implementation in the field. 2. A High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary including all relevant senior officials has been established for oversight and guidance to steer convergence, regional integration, and coordinated actions. The HPSC will be chaired by the Chief Secretary and includes the Additional Chief Secretaries / Principal Secretaries of all participating line departments. Such vertical alignment and oversight and guidance from HPSC will ensure efficient and effective project delivery, facilitate interdepartmental coordination, and pave the way for convergence. 3. Project Management: The project will be implemented by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu through a two-tier implementation structure: (i) State Project Management Unit housed in the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) under the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu; and; ii) Project Executing Agencies (PEAs) at state level and through their field offices district level. P a g e | 25 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Figure 0.1 Tamil Nadu Project Organogram 4. State Project Management Unit (SPMU): Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) is a registered Company under the Tamil Nadu under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 and operates as a ‘Not-for-Profit’ Company created as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the Tamil Nadu State Action plan for Climate Change (TNSAPCC). The TNGCC is headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, with a Board of Directors comprising Secretaries from key line departments. TNGCC is already implementing three pivotal government missions, viz.: i) Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission; ii) Green Tamil Nadu Mission, and; iii) Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission. TNGCC will be implementing SHORE as a fourth mission called “Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission� and serve as the SPMU for SHORE. The SPMU in TNGCC shall bring increased synergy among different missions and ensure: i) greater convergence with other activities and schemes of the Government; ii) avoidance of duplication and double dipping; iii) strengthening the existing institutions, and; iv) improved coordination and adopting an integrated approach for coastal zone management. The SPMU will be headed by a Chief Mission Director/Mission Director who will be the project Director for TN-SHORE. The Board of Directors of TNGCC would support in interdepartmental coordination, approval of annual work plans and budget, and monitoring of the SHORE project. The SPMU will be staffed through internal staff from the Forest Department as well as supported by a team of technical (including environmental and social), finance, procurement and project administration specialists and consultants. Figure 0.2 Tamil Nadu SPMU Structure P a g e | 26 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Figure 0.3 Tamil Nadu SPMU Support P a g e | 27 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan 5. Project Executing Agencies (PEAs): The PEAs shall be responsible for the overall implementation of the activities pertaining to the respective coastal districts. The PEAs have head office at state level and the project on the ground will be implemented through the district Project Executing Agencies, which are at the district level under the guidance of District Climate Change Mission. The PEAs will prepare the annual plans and budgets requirements, which will be approved by the SPMU. The PEAs will be responsible for management of contracts and implementation of community led activities with Village Committees/ JFMCs. The following implementing agencies have been identified: (a) SPMU in TNGCC at state level; (b) Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board – PEA; (c) Green Tamil Nadu Mission – PEA implementation through District Forest Officers (DFO); (d) Tamil Nadu Forest Department – PEA implementation through DFOs (forests) / wild life wardens; (e) Conservation Authority of Pallikaranai Marsh Land – PEA; and (f) Department of Environment and Climate Change – PEA; (g) Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation - PEA and (h) District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) – PEA. The entities responsible for carrying out stakeholder engagement activities are the SPMU and District Project Execution Agency. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through a Progress Report annually. which will involve community engagement operations, collecting and processing of grievances, and maintaining an SEMS database developed and maintained by the PMU. The tentative budget estimate for the preparing and implementing SEP is 7,50,00,000. The budget breakdown is provided in Annexure 3. Table 0.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff for Implementing SEP Agency/Individual Roles and responsibilities State Project • Review and approval of SEP Management Unit • Coordinate among other implementation agencies/ – PMU • Approve and authorize all stakeholder engagement events and disclosure of material to support stakeholder engagement events and activities. • Approve prior to release, all IEC materials used to provide information associated with the project (communication material, PowerPoint, posters, leaflets and brochures, TV and radio insertions) District Project • Implement all material/ strategies that are developed (in a Executing culturally appropriate manner) and available in easily Agencies comprehensible form to stakeholders (based on their profile and their information needs). • Prepare annual engagement plans and budgets to implement them. • Participate either themselves, or identify suitable representative, during all face-to face stakeholder meetings. • Review and sign-off minutes of all engagement events. P a g e | 28 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan • Maintain the stakeholder engagement database and submit periodic reports to State level PEAs for review and onward sending to SPMU • Assure participation/ inclusion of stakeholders from vulnerable groups. • management of contracts, implementation of community led activities with Village Committees/ Beach management committees, Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) etc. P a g e | 29 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Grievance Mechanism A Grievance Mechanism is a system that allows not only grievances, but also queries, suggestions, positive feedback, and concerns of project-affected parties related to the environmental and social performance of a project to be submitted and responded to in a timely manner. Description of Grievance Mechanism (GM) Step Description of process (e.g.) Timeframe Responsibility GM SPMU headed by the Project SPMU at HQ implementation Director, TN SHORE will be structure responsible for all project related PEAs (State and issues including grievance District Level) resolution. Each of the PEAs in 14 Districts will establish a Grievance Redressal Committee headed by the respective Head of District Offices viz. District Forest Officers (DFOs), District Collectors, District Environment Engineers etc., The PEA’s will keep records of grievances received, including contact details of the complainant, the date the complaint was received, the nature of the grievance, agreed corrective actions and the date these were affected and the final outcome. The project MIS will record and report on all complaints received from all the different mediums. The number of grievances recorded and resolved and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed in the PIU’s office, as well as reported in monitoring reports submitted to World Bank on quarterly or semi- annual basis. All resolutions shall be communicated to the aggrieved party / complainant(s) Grievance uptake Grievances can be submitted via the SPMU & PEAs following channels (State and District • E-mail to SPMU, PEA, Level) • Letter to SPMU, EIA, • In-person at a physical facility at the Office of the District Head offices P a g e | 30 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Step Description of process (e.g.) Timeframe Responsibility • Grievance or suggestion boxes located at the Office of the District Head offices • Online form on the website Sorting, Any complaint received is forwarded Upon Local grievance processing to respective Project Executing receipt of focal points at the Agency such as the Department of complaint PEAs Forest, Dept. of Environment & Climate Change and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Further, they shall be categorized according to the following complaint types: • Procurement and finance related • Land related (measurement, payment of compensation or other entitlements) • Construction stage issues (access, damages, non- payment of wages, etc.) • Other Acknowledgement Receipt of the grievance is Within 2 Public and follow-up acknowledged to the complainant days of Information by the Public Information Officer of receipt Officer each office nominated under the RTI, Act, 2005 Verification, Investigation of the complaint is led Within 14 PEAs investigation, by the head of the District Offices or working action his/her nominee days A proposed resolution is formulated by the head of the District Offices and communicated to the complainant by the head of the District Offices Monitoring and Data on complaints are collected Monthly PEAs evaluation and reported to SPMU on monthly basis Provision of Feedback from complainants Before PEAs feedback regarding their satisfaction with closure of complaint resolution is collected complaint before closure of complaint in the system Training Training needs for staff/consultants Every Six PEAs in the PEA, Contractors and Months Supervision Consultants are provided by the E&S experts at the PEA level Appeals process Tier II: All grievances that cannot be within 14 PEA/SPMU redressed within 14 days at the Ist days of tier (PEA District level) will be receipt brought to the notice of the 2nd Tier P a g e | 31 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Step Description of process (e.g.) Timeframe Responsibility i.e. PEA’s (State Level) for resolution Tier III If the grievance is not within 21 resolved at PEA’s level, the days of its grievance will be referred to receipt. SPMUS-Project Director TN- SHORE. The grievance at this level will be resolved The project GRM notwithstanding, an aggrieved person shall have access to the country's legal system at any stage. This can run parallel to accessing the GRM and is not dependent on the negative outcome of the GRM. In case of complaints relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, these will be safely and ethically received and confidentially managed. Complaints in this regard will be forwarded directly by the PEA to the SPMU, for appropriate investigation and resolution therein ensuring that survivor/victim identity and case details are known only to key persons. Details are provided on the process below Registration of grievances: Specifically, the following information will be recorded: (i) the allegation in the survivor’s own words; (ii) whether the alleged perpetrator is, to the best of the survivor’s knowledge, associated with the project; and, if possible, (iii) the age and sex of the survivor. Reporting: TNGCC-SPMU would report minimal information to the implementing agency, which will subsequently inform the Bank task team. This information should include (i) the nature of the case; (ii) if the case is project-related; (iii) the age and sex of the survivor (if available); and (iv) if the survivor was referred to services. Training/orientation would be provided to all personnel in TNGCC-SPMU and TAMC and respective PEA officials on aspects relating to handling of GBV/SEA/SH cases before commencement of sub-project implementation and subsequently on a periodic basis as per capacity building plan that will be developed and included in the POM All costs involved in resolving the complaints (meetings, consultations, communication, and reporting/ information dissemination) will be borne by the PEA. PEAs will also ensure the setting up of labour GRMs by the various contractors and monitor their functioning. They will ensure that the contractors submit information on grievance management as part of the monthly progress reporting. P a g e | 32 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Monitoring and Reporting The SEP will be monitored based on both qualitative reporting (based on progress reports) and quantitative reporting linked to results indicators on stakeholder engagement and grievance performance. SEP reporting will include the following: (i) Progress reporting on the ESS10-Stakeholder Engagement commitments under the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) (ii) Cumulative qualitative reporting on the feedback received during SEP activities, in particular (a) issues that have been raised that can be addressed through changes in project scope and design, and reflected in the basic documentation such as the Project Appraisal Document, Environmental and Social Assessment, Resettlement Plan, Indigenous Peoples Plan, or SEA/SH Action Plan, if needed; (b) issues that have been raised and can be addressed during project implementation; (c) issues that have been raised that are beyond the scope of the project and are better addressed through alternative projects, programs or initiatives; and (d) issues that cannot be addressed by the project due to technical, jurisdictional or excessive cost-associated reasons. Minutes of meetings summarizing the views of the attendees can also be annexed to the monitoring reports. (iii) Quantitative reporting based on the indicators included in the SEP. Table 0.1 Monitoring Plan (not exhaustive) Monitoring Area Activity Measurement metric Frequency Capacity Baseline training 3-6 months • % of personnel incrementally trained building needs assessment • No. and type of topics covered and end-state • No. and type of blue cadre members capacity increased, and no. of new achievements development unlocked by blue cadre. assessments • No. of CB workshops conducted and conducted topics covered State-state 6 months • No. of field exposure visits to other states knowledge implementing successful practices exchange Enterprise capacity 6 months • No. of training conducted on enterprise strengthened skills (digital payments, business mgmt., packaging, marketing, etc.) and range of topics Tenders Publication of Upon • No. of disclosures on SPMU website for works, advertisements for requirement hirings, various works and etc hiring of employees/contracti ng of consultants P a g e | 33 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Monitoring Area Activity Measurement metric Frequency Consultati Conducting of Quarterly and • No. of consultations, meetings and FGDs ons and consultations, submitted to conducted by category of stakeholders FGDs meetings and FGDs bank as part of • Project affected persons (segregat the Half yearly • Other interested groups ed by Progress • Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups gender) reports Note: This is a preliminary monitoring plan and will be detailed out further with additional KPIs as the project advances into subsequent phases. Reporting back to stakeholder groups The SEP will be periodically revised and updated as necessary in the course of project implementation. Quarterly reports and internal reports on public grievances, enquiries, and related incidents, together with the status of implementation of associated corrective/ preventive actions, will be collated by respective field staffs and referred to the PEA and SPMU. Quarterly reports will provide a mechanism for assessing both the number and nature of complaints and requests for information, along with the project’s ability to address those in a timely and effective manner. Information o n public engagement activities undertaken by the Project during the year may be conveyed to the stakeholders in various ways such disclosure on website or media/press releases/briefings, etc. P a g e | 34 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Annexure 1: FGD Photographs P a g e | 35 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Annexure 2: Template to Capture Consultation Minutes Summary of Response of Project Stakeholder Follow-up Action/ Feedback, issues Implementation (Group or Individual) Next Steps raised Team P a g e | 36 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan Annexure 3: SEP Budget Table 1st Quantity or Mont Unit yea 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Budget categories year hs costs/pm r year year year year Total 1. Estimated Staff salaries* and related expenses 1a. Coordinators/ Facilitator/ Associates/ Communications consultant Environmental expert 1 12 75,000.00 9 9.45 9.92 10.42 10.94 49.73 Social and Communication expert 1 12 60,000.00 7.2 7.56 7.94 8.33 8.75 39.78 28. 159.1 1b. Travel costs for staff 288 10,000.00 8 30.24 31.75 33.34 35.01 4 1c. Estimated salaries for field level Officers 3 12 25,000.00 3 3.15 3.31 3.47 3.65 16.58 265.2 Sub Total 48 50.40 52.92 55.57 58.34 3 2. Consultations/ Participatory Planning, Decision-Making Meetings 10. 2a. Village Level Workshops & Focus group Discussions 18 1 60,000.00 8 11.34 11.91 34.05 10. Sub Total 8 11.34 11.91 34.05 3. Communication Campaigns 33.07 3a. Posters, flyers 120 25,000.00 30 31.5 5 10.58 3b. Social media campaign 48 20,000.00 9.6 10.08 4 3,00,000.0 3c. Short films/Videos 12 0 36 37.8 39.69 75. 83.34 238.3 Sub Total 6 79.38 9 29 4. Trainings 4a. Training on social/environmental issues for PIU and contractor staff 12 75,000.00 9 4b. Training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/SEA-SH for PIU and contractor staff 12 75,000.00 9 Sub Total 18 18 P a g e | 37 Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project (SHORE)-- Stakeholder Engagement Plan 5. Beneficiary surveys 5a. Mid-project perception survey 1 100 5b. End-of-project perception survey 1 100 Sub Total 200 200 6. Grievance Mechanism 6a.Training of GM committees 12 25,000.00 3 3.15 3.31 3.47 3.65 3.7 6b. GM communication materials 15 25,000.00 5 3.94 4.13 4.34 4.56 6c. Grievance investigations/site visits 15 50,000.00 7.5 7.88 8.27 8.68 9.12 6d. GM Information System (setting up or maintenance) 10 30,000.00 3 3.15 3.31 3.47 3.65 6e. Other GM Logistical Costs 20 35,000.00 7 7.35 7.72 8.10 8.51 24. 134.0 Sub Total 25.46 26.74 28.07 29.48 25 0 7. Other expenses 7a. Miscellaneous (contingency) 44.48 934.0 TOTAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT BUDGET: 8 Rupees Nine Hundred thirty four point zero eight lakhs only P a g e | 38 Annexure 4: Template for database on Grievance Management by each PEA Name of District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Action Type of Name and Mode of Classificatio Taken action details Date of complaint Status n Summary (Responded Date of (Meeting Remarks, (District, receipt of (Email/Toll free (Resolved (Query, of / Action with Constraint Block, GP) complaint number/ / Suggestion, complain forwarded (dd/mm/yyyy complainant s to of (dd/mm/yyyy Written/Complai Pending) Complaint) t to ) / verbal or resolving Complainan ) nt Box/Phone to concerned written t official official response) P a g e | 39 Annexure 5: Template for database on consolidation of grievances by SPMU CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT ON GREIVANCE MANAGEMENT Name of District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 S.No. Name and Date of Mode of Classific Sum Action Date of Type of Complaint Status Remarks, Resolved details receipt complaint ation mary Taken Action action escalated (Resolv Constrain (within 30 days (District, of (Email/Toll free (Query, of (Respo (dd/mm/ (Meetin to PMU or ed/Pend ts to /more than 30 Block, complai number/Written/C Suggest compl nded/fo yyyy) g with any other ing) resolving days) GP) of nt omplaint ion, aint rwarde complai level Complain (dd/mm/ Box/Phone to Complai d to nant/ (specify) ant yyyy) official nt) concer verbal ned or official) written respons e) P a g e | 40 Karnataka – Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy Program (K-SHORE) STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN Karnataka Eco-Restoration Society (KERS) xli TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction .........................................................................................4 2. Project Description ..............................................................................4 3. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis Per Project Component .........6 4. Stakeholder Engagement Program .....................................................7 5. Resources and Responsibilities for implementing stakeholder engagement ......................................................................................19 6. Grievance Mechanism.......................................................................20 7. Monitoring and Reporting ..................................................................24 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map showing Coastal (Project) Districts - Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada.......................................................................................... 5 Figure 2: Grievance Redress Process .......................................................... 23 List of Tables Table 1: Stakeholders consulted under each category ................................... 7 Table 2: Stakeholders and discussion topics covered..................................... 9 Table 3: Summary Table for Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) .............. 13 Table 4: Proposed modes of engagement with vulnerable stakeholder groups ...................................................................................................................... 18 LIST OF ANNEXURES Annexure 1: Template to Capture Consultation Minutes Annexure 2: Example of a SEP Budget Table Annexure 3. Sample Table: Monitoring and Reporting on the SEP Annexure 4: Detailed Questionnaires Annexure 5 Stakeholders Consulted Annexure 6: Details of on-the-ground Consultations xlii Acronyms and Abbreviations ALDFG Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear DoFEE Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Karnataka DPMU District Project Management Units ESC Empowered Steering Committee ESF Environment and Social Framework ESDDR Environment and Social Due Diligence Report ESMP Environment and Social Management Plan GOK Government of Karnataka ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management ICZMP Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan INR Indian Rupee JFMC Joint Forest Management Committee MISHTI Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income MoEFCC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPA Multi-phase Programmatic Approach NbS Natural-based Solutions NCCR National Centre for Coastal Research NPV Net Present Value PIU Project Implementation Unit PPR Preliminary Project Request SCMD Sustainable Coastal Management Division SLSC State Level Steering Committee SEP Stakeholder Engagement Plan SMP Shoreline Management Plan xliii SPMU State Project Managment Unit xliv Executive Summary Project Description The SHORE (Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy) Program aims to increase the resilience of targeted coastal communities and ecosystems in India. In the state of Karnataka, it is proposed to be implemented as K-SHORE with the following project components: Component 1: Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management.; Component 2: Shoreline management, coastal protection and conservation; Component 3: Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities; Component 4: Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management and Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC). This project will cover the three critical coastal districts of Karnataka – Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada. Purpose of Stakeholder Engagement Plan The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been developed to define a program for stakeholder engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation throughout the entire project cycle�. The SEP outlines the ways in which the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment (FEE), Government of Karnataka, will communicate with stakeholders and includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about the project and any activities related to the project. The SEP specifically emphasizes methods to engage groups considered most vulnerable and that are at risk of being left out of project benefits. Stakeholder Identification During project preparation, sixteen stakeholder consultation meetings were conducted at selected locations in Udipi (11 consultations) and Mangalore (5 consultations). The project information, potential environmental and social impacts of the project, role of the stakeholders, and challenges related to K-SHORE were discussed with the participants. After the presentation about the project, the participants gave their feedback. Feedback received during consultations was taken into account by the project to be incorporated into the design. The Government departments, NGO’s/SHG/ Social Development enterprises, communities, and sector experts were consulted. The following stakeholders have been identified and analyzed per project component. Affected parties include local communities, community members and other parties that may be subject to direct impacts from the Project such as Land holders, Coastal Communities (in the project area), Women and women-led self-help groups (SHGs), tribals fisherfolk and boat operators, salt producers, vendors, tourists, seaweed harvesters, coastal communities, private sector enterprises. Other interested parties include parties other than the directly affected communities, including those residing/operating in proximity to natural or other resources, local government officials, 1 community leaders, and CSOs particularly those who work in or with impacted communities and may have a role in project Community members and institutions (Joint Forest Management Committees/EDCs and Self-Help Group) – extension workers &, community cadres, etc. besides officials from other departments Forest such as Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); Karnataka Fisheries Department; NGOs/SHG/CBOs/RWA involved in awareness generation activities and Non-traditional panchayats (Fishermen). Disadvantaged / vulnerable individuals or groups include Fisherfolk, as well as migrant labor who are affected by weather patterns and marine ecosystems; waste workers; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled tribes, old, destitute, illiterate physically challenged, elderly, women headed households and Priority households. Stakeholder engagement program During implementation, the stakeholder engagement program involves dissemination of information and eliciting of concerns on various topics to a wide range of stakeholders. These include topics such as: various project activities e.g. initiatives for mangrove plantations, Restoration and Conservation of Coastal Ecosystems; schemes to recover abandoned and lost fishing gear, enhancing awareness on usage of thermocol; material recovery facilities being set up; role of communities in preparation and implementation of various plans; provisions to address E&S issues and grievance mechanisms to address grievances and complaints that might be arise from the project activities, if any. These shall be done through workshops, group discussions, use of brochures, website notifications, flyers and other social media at periodic intervals. Also as part of this exercise, KERS, while preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in such sub-projects will undertake consultations with communities in the area to elicit their concerns, if any, and the forest officials and record the summary of these consultations in the DPRs and based on above include commensurate measures of orientation and training will be listed in the ESMPs (embedded in the DPR). Resources and Responsibilities for implementing Stakeholder engagement The entities responsible for carrying out stakeholder engagement activities are the SPMU (including the Technical support consultancy firm), DPMU and District Project Execution Agency. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through a Progress report on an annual basis which involves community engagement operations, collecting and processing of grievances. The budget estimate for implementing SEP is INR 3,75,25,000 (Three crore seventy five lakhs and twenty five thousand only) and comprises actions such as Village Level workshops, focus group discussions; communication campaigns using posters, flyers and social media campaign/radio communication; trainings on for all relevant stakeholders on various topics; beneficiary surveys at the mid and end term of the project; and operationalization of the Grievance Mechanism. 2 Grievance Redressal Mechanism SPMU headed by the Chief Project Director and Mission Director will be responsible for all project related issues including grievance resolution. Each of the three DPMUs will establish a Grievance Redressal Committee headed by the respective Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs). The PEA’s will keep records of grievances received, including contact details of the complainant, the date the complaint was received, the nature of the grievance, agreed corrective actions and the date these were affected and the outcome. The project MIS will record and report on all complaints received from all the different mediums. The number of grievances recorded and resolved, and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed in the PIU’s office, as well as reported in monitoring reports submitted to World Bank on quarterly or semi-annual basis. All resolutions shall be communicated to the aggrieved party/ complainant(s). In case of complaints relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, these will be safely and ethically received and confidentially managed. Complaints in this regard will be forwarded directly by the PEA to the SPMU, for appropriate investigation and resolution therein ensuring that survivor/victim identity and case details are known only to key persons. PEAs will also ensure the setting up of labor GRMs by the various contractors and monitor their functioning. They will ensure that the contractors submit information on grievance management as part of the monthly progress reporting. Monitoring and Reporting The SEP will be monitored based on both qualitative reporting (based on progress reports) and quantitative reporting linked to results indicators on stakeholder engagement and grievance performance. In particular, it will include cumulative qualitative reporting on the feedback received during SEP activities, capacity building actions, community level discussions on various actions, segregated by gender, functioning of grievance mechanism. Also, in terms of reporting back to stakeholder groups, Information on public engagement activities undertaken by the Project during the year would be conveyed to the stakeholders in various ways such as letters, media briefings, etc. 3 1. Introduction 1.1 Coastal and maritime space of India are essential for achieving sustainable economic development. They provide inputs to India’s blue economy sectors such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, transport, mining, and services. India has embarked on a mission to capture the huge growth potential of the coastal and marine resources through their optimal utilization and protection. Endowed with abundant natural resources and biodiversity of global significance, India’s coastal and marine ecosystems provide multiple national, local, and global benefits. The coastline which stretches over 7500 km is home to 250 million people and 18,000 known species of flora and fauna. Mangroves, sand dunes, coastal wetlands, coral reefs, mudflats, and reserved forests provide important ecosystem services, support disaster risk reduction and mitigation functions, improve livelihoods and provide economic benefits. 1.2 Despite ecological richness and contribution to the national economy, India’s coastal ecosystems continue to deteriorate. Many economic activities along the coast overlap and lead to competing demands between users and adversely impact coastal ecosystems and diminishing their value. Pollution, intensive commercial fishing, and development pressure, climate-induced weather extremes and coastal erosion make ecosystem-dependent communities particularly vulnerable. Coastal states continually experience human and natural pressures and the adverse impacts of climate change. They are highly exposed to climate hazards that include cyclones and rising sea-levels, bringing floods and erosion, which in turn, inflict a great loss of lives and livelihoods, especially among the mostly impoverished coastal communities. 2. Project Description 2.1 The SHORE (Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy) Program aims to increase the resilience of targeted coastal communities and ecosystems in India. The following components of SHORE Program correspond to the specific challenges and opportunities and underlying concerns which the Program aims to address. (a) Strengthening institutions for integrated coastal management. This component aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability performance of ICZM tools used by the national and state agencies by expanding the range of technical and management adaptation measures for reducing the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems and livelihoods, as identified in the NCM. This component will finance consulting services, goods, training, and project management costs. (b) Shoreline management, coastal protection and conservation. This component aims to enhance the ecological sustainability and resilience of the coastal physical and natural assets. Project investments will support interventions for (a) preventing/reducing coastal erosion and its impacts; (b) maintaining the ecological functions of coastal ecosystems and landscapes that deliver protection services to coastal communities from environmental and climate hazards, and (c) strengthening the environmental and ecosystem monitoring systems. (c) Improving livelihoods for natural resource dependent communities. This component aims to promote climate-resilient and adaptable development in coastal communities. Community livelihood activities with potential to boost community incomes, promote 4 sustainable use of natural resources, and to enhance the resilience of marine and coastal resources to changing conditions, will be supported. (d) Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution management. This component aims to mitigate the threats to marine and coastal resources from plastic pollution and to reduce the risks of environmental degradation. It will finance location-specific watershed-based activities for reducing plastic leakage and pollution using a “source to sink� approach. (e) Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC). It will allow the recipient to request the World Bank to reallocate uncommitted project funds, following an eligible crisis or emergency This project will cover the three critical coastal districts of Karnataka – Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada. Below are the three districts at a glance. Figure 4: Map showing Coastal (Project) Districts - Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada (i) Udupi4 is a coastal district in Karnataka with a population of 11,77,908 and a split of 51% female and 49% male populations. The district has an average literacy rate of 83%, significantly higher than the national average. The primary occupations of the local population are agriculture or fisheries based. The key language spoken is Tulu. 5 (ii) Uttara Kannada5 is among the largest districts in Karnataka with a population of 14,37,169 and varied geographical features, thick forest covers, perennial rivers, abundant flora and fauna, and a long coastline of 140km. (iii) Dakshina Kannada6 is sheltered by the Western Ghats on the east and bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west.. With a population of 20,89,649 and a literacy rate of 88% Dakshina Kannada is divided into 1 city corporation, 5 municipalities, 9 talukas, and 223 gram panchayats. It is a business and commercial center and Karnataka’s major port for the export of iron ore, coffee, spices, and cashews. The K-SHORE is being prepared under the World Bank’s Environment and Social Framework (ESF). 2.2 Objective/Description of SEP The overall objective of this SEP is to define a program for stakeholder engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation throughout the entire project cycle. The SEP outlines the ways in which the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka, will communicate with stakeholders and includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about the project and any activities related to the project. The SEP specifically emphasizes methods to engage groups considered most vulnerable and that are at risk of being left out of project benefits. 3. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis Per Project Component 3.1 Methodology For the K-SHORE, the following stakeholders have been identified and analyzed per project component. These stakeholders include affected parties (as defined in section 3.2), other interested parties (as defined in section 3.3) and disadvantaged/vulnerable individuals or groups (as defined in section 3.4). 3.2 Affected parties Affected parties include local communities, community members and other parties that may be subject to direct impacts from the Project. Specifically, the following individuals and groups fall within this category: Affected parties include Land Donors, Coastal Communities (in the project area), Women and women-led self-help groups (SHGs), tribals fisherfolk and boat operators, salt producers, vendors, tourists, seaweed harvesters, coastal communities, private sector enterprises. 3.3 Other interested parties The projects’ stakeholders also include parties other than the directly affected communities, including those residing/operating in proximity to natural or other resources, local government officials, community leaders, and CSOs particularly those who work in or with impacted communities and may have a role in project Community members and institutions (Joint Forest Management Committees/EDCs and Self-Help Group) – extension workers &, community cadres, 6 • Entrepreneurs, processors, facilitation center operators. • Officials from other departments Forest such as Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); Karnataka Fisheries Department; Municipal Administration; Department/Directorate of Municipal Administration; Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department (RDPR); Karnataka State Tourism Department; Karnataka Biodiversity Board; District Administration (three districts); Urban Local Bodies; Rural Local Bodies; Educational and Research Institutions; NGOs/SHG/CBOs/RWA involved in awareness generation activities and Non-traditional panchayats (Fishermen) • Fishermen, VFCs, NGOs, Public about importance of blue plastic management and scientific plastic disposal methods etc.3.4 Disadvantaged / vulnerable individuals or groups Within the Project, the vulnerable or disadvantaged groups may include but are not limited to the following: Fisherfolk, as well as migrant labor who are affected by weather patterns and marine ecosystems; waste workers; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled tribes, old, destitute, illiterate physically challenged, elderly, women headed households and Priority households. Vulnerable groups within the communities affected by the project will be further confirmed and consulted through dedicated means, as appropriate. 4. Stakeholder Engagement Program 4.1 Summary of stakeholder engagement done during project preparation During project preparation, sixteen stakeholder consultation meetings were conducted at selected locations in Udipi (11 consultations) and Mangalore (5 consultations). The project information, potential environmental and social impacts of the project, role of the stakeholders, and challenges related to K-SHORE were discussed with the participants. After the presentation about the project, the participants gave their feedback. Feedback received during consultations was taken into account by the project to be incorporated into the design. The Government departments, NGO’s/SHG/ Social Development enterprises, communities, and sector experts were consulted (Refer Table 1). Table 2: Stakeholders consulted under each category Sl.no Stakeholders consulted Departments 1. DC Udupi 2. CRZ Udupi 3. DCF Udupi 4. Government KFDC 5. Fisheries Department 6. Panchayati Raj, ULBs 7 Sl.no Stakeholders consulted Departments 7. Tourism department 8. CCF Mangaluru 9. DCF Mangaluru 10. CRZ Mangaluru 11. RFO Mangaluru 12. TIP Sessions NGOs/SHGs/private sector 13. social development Baeru Environmental Services Private Limited 14. enterprises Clean Kundapur 15. Fisherfolk 16. Communities Waste workers 17. Communities around mangrove belts 18. Traditional & Mechanical boat co-operative society, Malpe - Udupi 19. Associations and societies Deep Sea Society, Malpe 20. Fisheries & Fish Product Co-op Society 21. ICAR – CMFRI 22. Sector experts Geologists A brief overview of the consultations covering outcomes and suggested interventions has been mapped against the four key components of the project and presented in the table below. 8 Table 3: Stakeholders and discussion topics covered Components Issues discussed Suggested measures 1. Strengthening • Short-term / ad hoc solutions have • Need for an integrated plan with a of institutions proven ineffective in the past long-term view for Integrated • Absence of proper monitoring • Effective monitoring system required Coastal mechanisms for a few past initiatives to ensure correct implementation and Management implemented course correction mechanisms • Lack of updated data around the • Involvement of key academic institutes accurate baseline of marine required to help utilize past research ecosystems and shoreline conducted and to establish an accurate baseline via new research studies • Need to involve powerful bodies to • Important offices like DC and CEO of effectively drive initiatives across the District ZP will be crucial in this various organizations/groups project to lead and anchor several initiatives • Important to involve existing groups • Local community groups such as with high reach and effectiveness to Bhajana Mandirs, Clean Kundapura, create an aware and empowered Nature Conservation foundations, entity like Blue-Cadre village Forest committees and others will be important for Blue-Cadre as well as driving awareness of other initiatives as they have a large footprint • Need for an empowered umbrella • Need for an umbrella body like a body to drive initiatives holistically “Mangrove cell� or a “Marine cell� with cross-functional members and autonomous status • Leverage existing bodies to engage • Decentralized bodies like JFMC/EDCs local communities and VFCs need to be reactivated to engage local communities effectively 2. Shoreline • Shoreline embankments are not • Detailed study of shoreline required to management, always effective, need to understand correctly estimate the efficacy of coastal the efficacy of measures proposed measures protection and • Relocations of inhabitants during • Resettlement plans need to be in place conservation floods are common keeping in mind seasonalities and hotspots selected for initiatives • Priority should be given to nature • A detailed study of the coastal region based solutions (NbS) / ecosystem is required at first to determine the based approaches (EbA) before areas that are better suited for resorting to grey infrastructure NbS/EbA vs areas requiring grey infrastructural solutions; solutions like aerodynamic shelter belts, mangrove afforestation, and others can then be evaluated and deployed for the selected areas • The current state of water (baseline) • Technology and methods required to is not accurately known determine hydrology of water at various points; need for a plan for treatment of sewage discharge • Mangrove afforestation initiatives • Awareness drives for fisherfolk and have worked in the past but there is other local communities needed to still a lack of awareness among local drive mangrove afforestation initiatives communities around mangroves and their efficacy 9 Components Issues discussed Suggested measures • Alongside plantation of mangroves, • Novel techniques like fish bone, newer techniques and effective furrows, and ridges can be applied to protection plans need to be in place mangroves; areas planted must be protected in co-operation with local communities including fisherfolk, boat operators, bivalves collectors etc. 3. Improvement of • assessment of alternate livelihoods is • Existing mariculture activities oyster livelihoods for needed to understand which are the cultivation, and cage culture should be communities right substitutes for fishing evaluated over entirely newer means dependent on of livelihood; eco-tourism should be a natural key focus to boost livelihood in a resources sustainable manner • Lack of understanding around the • Need to conduct an exhaustive study expanse of biodiversity along the to understand the full expanse of coast and the Western Ghats; biodiversity; sensitization drives fisherfolk often unknowingly capture needed to ensure fisherfolk do not rare or endangered species as they capture endangered species are not aware of sustainability guidelines • There are close to 5,000 instances of • Investment in modern firefighting forest fires in the region every year equipment, vehicles, and surveillance leading to loss of natural resources to combat forest fires and thereby improve conditions for collection of NTFP; recruitment of local communities into roles like forest watchers, firefighters, etc. will further improve conditions and also increase livelihoods 4. Enhancement • Transboundary wastes pose among • Leverage a common body of higher of plastic the top challenges in waste authority to mitigate conflicts and drive circularity and management as many times the effective solutions, e.g. involve the reduction of source of the waste is different than KSPCB office, DC office and CEO of pollution (or the area affected, or the area affected ZP in leading and anchoring initiatives carbon is split across two different governing that may result in a potential conflict of reduction) in bodies (e.g. waste flowing ownership to have seamless execution coastal regions downstream from Shimoga or throughout the project beaches like Maravanthe which are split across two administrative authorities) • Decline in availability of fish near • Right mix of short-term and frequent shore due to increasing coastline (cleanups, etc.) and long-term pollution and rise in temperature solutions required to arrest the decline in fish availability • There are multiple problems plaguing • Segregation is a major challenge the value chain of plastic and dry followed by the disposal of certain wastes from collection to disposal types of wastes like sanitary, polystyrene, bio-medical waste, etc.; need to invest in awareness and waste management facilities to address this issue • Waste collection is largely manual • Natural barriers to trap river wastes and requires alternate automated or have been effective and can be re- semi-automated solutions to scale up evaluated; alternate ways of collecting plastics need to be looked at; right segregation and disposal of plastic 10 Components Issues discussed Suggested measures waste needs to be incentivized to help scale up the initiative • Landing centers tend to be hotspots • Sanitation facilities for men and of waste and need special attention women (will also help aid participation of women in the workforce), adequate drying areas for fish products, water, and shade facilities, net mending areas, and proper waste disposal facilities at landing sites will have a significant impact on waste management as well as livelihood creation • Boosting tourism aggressively may • Tourism scale-up plans must be lead to increased plastic pollution accompanied by appropriate monitoring and incentive/disincentive systems to address any sort of potential waste pollution • There have been multiple • Blue-Cadre as well as other local government-driven plastic waste groups need to be leveraged to drive awareness campaigns in the past; effective awareness campaigns however, there is still scope to enrich the outreach, delivery, and engagement model • Evaluate alternatives to plastic bags • Leverage learnings from other geographies like Bengal Nashik, and Tamil Nadu which have seen success in using plastic alternatives • Door-to-door waste collection needs • Incentive/disincentive mechanisms to be improved (currently at 50-60% needed to prevent locals from dumping household penetration) waste into water bodies • Lack of understanding of disposal • Scientific studies are needed to methods for critical waste types understand the right way of disposing of bio-medical, polystyrene, sanitary, fish mill, and other wastes • Wastes from various marine and land • Marine waste requires units for sources result in mixed city compost segregation and processing; marine with low calorific value and low waste should not be mixed with other recycling potential types of city wastes as this would render the compost batch useless and decrease calorific value • Awareness and implementation • Local communities, gram panchayats, initiatives need strong partnering with and municipalities need to be local authorities sensitized about the importance of right disposal and need to be engaged as potential Blue-Cadre members • Legacy waste (old municipal solid • Ridge to shore approach for cleaning waste as defined by CPCB) needs up plastic waste across the entire specific attention water system must have a separate focus on legacy waste alongside implementing initiatives to reduce waste in the future 11 Components Issues discussed Suggested measures • Multiple roads and rivers connect to • Stringent regulations to be explored the coasts, forests, and public and implemented to tackle waste settlements and these also lead to generated due to tourism-based increased pollution in tourism activities seasons when pilgrims throw offerings into river bodies 4.2 Summary of project stakeholder needs and methods, tools and techniques for stakeholder engagement. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan below outlines the engagement process, methods, including sequencing, topics of consultations and target stakeholders. The World Bank and the Project Implementing Entity (PIE) do not take it positively of/will view it seriously of reprisals and retaliation against project stakeholders who share their views about Bank- financed projects. 12 Table 4: Summary Table for Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Strategy Target stakeholders Topic of consultation / message Proposed engagement & Frequency Responsibilities disclosure method Component 1: 1.0 Strengthening of Institutions for Integrated Coastal Management • Project Information -introduction • Consultation meetings - • Multiple time during pre- Staff of Implementing DPR &PMU/PIU/PMC to KSHORE, basic objectives, PMU/PIU/PMCs construction Departments/Agencies various stakeholders, plans, • Formal one-on one with • Monthly for first six months JFMC/EDC, Directorate of implementation road map, and senior staff and Elected across three districts covering Ports and Inland institutional arrangements for representatives/coastal all the target stakeholders. Water, District and State implementation. communities etc. Coastal Zone Management • Capacity building initiatives o Training through virtual and Authorities (CZMAs), planned physical field visits Continuous Karnataka State Pollution • Grievance mechanisms set up o Orientation workshops (e.g. Control Board / • Sensitization on various reports focus group discussion prepared (DPRs, ESIA, formats) to bring stakeholders Municipal Administration Management Plans etc.,) to a common understanding Department/RDPRI/ Fisheries Department/ • Preparation of project specific of project objectives ULBs/RLBs/District level line reports for various sub projects • Frequent meetings to align on department under KSHORE project. key decisions and next steps • Website notifications • All project office’s Project Information Centres (PICs) • Project Scope • Workshops, orientation • First during project Academic and research PMU/PIU institutions, • Capacity building ad establishing program preparation and Coastal communities, Local a network of knowledge • Training through virtual and preconstruction. administrative bodies (Urban institutions physical field visits • Monthly meetings in different Local Bodies)/Rural Local • Awareness raising on GRM • Co-creation of knowledge localities Bodies, NGOs deployed by the project, repositories, accurate • Continuous in pre- /Women/Fisherfolk, including site- specific baselines construction phase Differently abled and mechanisms and district level • Frequent liaising with key • Multiple meetings with target marginalized communities GRCs representatives to further stakeholders • Awareness for participation in drive participation of local • Continuous during the periodic surveys communities (gram construction phase panchayats and NGOs will • As and when, before and play a key role in driving during the surveys 13 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Strategy Target stakeholders Topic of consultation / message Proposed engagement & Frequency Responsibilities disclosure method engagement and execution at the village level) • Newsletter/ leaflets/ Pamphlet. • Public hearings and Open forums • Website/ Portals / social media • One on One and formal small Group meetings Notice Boards at sites and site offices/ Website Radio and newspaper insertions • Project Management and • Project/contract specific • Prior to initiating works and Forest, Ecology & PMU/PIU/PMC and key domain Monitoring management plans continuous throughout the Environment Department, experts, if necessary appoint State CZMA, management • Preparation of sub- • Intimation to neighborhoods project implementation external consultants, also will and technical consultants project/contract specific ESMPs, prior to initiating works seek world bank support for the other management plans. • FGDs with the beneficiary same. • Initiating environmental, social communities. and climate change monitoring • Awareness on usage of • Ensuring contractor to prepare plastic, thermocol. Traffic Management Plan, • Pamphlets, posters relating to Stakeholder Engagement Plan, SEC and pollutants and Labour Management resultant impacts. ProcedureWaste Management • Dissemination through print, Plan, Health and Safety Plan audio and visual media (including through FM radio) local TV channels. Component 2: Shoreline Management, Coastal Protection and Conservation • Restoration and Conservation of • Household surveys, FGDs • Survey at least once and 2-3 • PMIDC through AMC/ LMC Staff of Implementing Departments/Agencies Coastal Ecosystems • Information Camps/ Site round FGDs • DPR consultants Revenue Offices department 14 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Strategy Target stakeholders Topic of consultation / message Proposed engagement & Frequency Responsibilities disclosure method • Technical and Non-Technical • Small group meetings • Continuous, at site till JFMC/EDC, Directorate of Ports and Inland summary of DPRs, Feasibility • GRM Helpline number completion of R&R Water, District and State Report, Plan, ESDD, ESMP in through display at project • Multiple rounds local vernacular language and locations Coastal Zone Management English & in Kannada • Pamphlets on, entitlements Authorities (CZMAs), State • Continuous till completion of Pollution Control Board / and compensation RAP implementation mechanisms, if applicable Municipal Administration • Once before initiating socio- Department/RDPRI/ economic survey & Fisheries Department/ consultation for preparation of ULBs/RLBs/District level line ESMP department • Introduction to the project . • Socio- economic survey • Multiple times during project • PMU/PIU/PMC Coastal Communties, Women, Fisherfolk, • Introduction to soft and hard • FGDs and small group preparation/implementation • DPR consultants differently abled, interventions on shoreline consultations phases • ESIA preparation agency marginalized communities management • Print-Newspaper, Newsletter • Weekly insertions on project • Contractor • Active roles and responsibilities / leaflets/ Pamphlet and grievance mechanisms • Supervising Engineers of each of the stakeholder • Radio information capsules • Awareness generation, Behavior • English and local vernacular Change Communication language activities • To bring all the stakeholders in board for the successful implementation of the project • Grievance mechanism details • Mechanism for dialogue Component 3: Improving Livelihoods for natural resources dependent communities • Enterprise capacity building and • Baseline assessment • Once during the pre- • PMU/PIU/PMC and nodal Women and Women led Self enablement of private/public surveys of multiple construction phase persons of different Help Groups (SHGs), fisherfolk, , salt producers, capital sea/marine dependents • Continuous through departments seaweed harvesters, coastal • Formal and informal business construction phase • DPR consultants communities, private sector enterprises • ESIA preparation agency • Contractor 15 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Strategy Target stakeholders Topic of consultation / message Proposed engagement & Frequency Responsibilities disclosure method enterprises, small and semi • SHGs and other related • Continuous through • Domain experts (Community medium enterprises groups construction phase development, social safeguards, gender and environmental, ecological, livelihood specialists. • Supervising Engineers Component 4 Enhancing plastic circularity and marine pollution managements • Monitoring and assessment of • Baseline assessment studies. • After 6 months of start of the • PMU/PIU/ PMC and other Staff of Implementing mismanaged plastics reaching • Formal and informal modes of project and to be completed designated officials, nodal Departments/Agencies the coast collection of qualitative and within one year from the date officers of participating JFMC/EDC, District and • Mapping all the rivers reaching quantitative data on plastic of inception/loan signing of departments. State Coastal Zone sea and pollution the project. Management Authorities • Identifying point and non-point • Quantification studies • Mitigation plans to be in place. (CZMAs), State Pollution and invisible sources of plastic • Characterisation studies • All mitigation / management Control Board / pollution • Nature and magnitude of plans to be included in all the Municipal Administration • Identification of activities impacts assessment contract documents. Department/RDPRI/ involves in generation of plastic • Regulatory environmental on • Implementation mechanism Fisheries Department/ wastes – tourism, community prevention of plastic pollution • Monitoring mechanism ULBs/RLBs/District level line festivals, industries, small scale and effective implementation department industries, ancillary industries. strategies. • Types, quantity, characteristics • Compliance and adaption of plastic wastes and resultant strategies to regulations. direct and indirect impact on the • Mitigation measures. coast and sea • Encouraging Reduce, Reuse, • Key reports (DPRs, special • Part of project implementation • PMU/PIU/PMCs, nodal and 4.2 Waste Segregation Recyclers, Women SHGs, Recycle of plastics studies, assessment studies) • Mechanism to be in place for designated officials of line private sector enterprises • Capacity build to reduce • Workshops for separate operation stage departments dependence and usage of stakeholders • Sustainable strategies of [and other relevant SMEs, plastic in coastal and others in • Skill training and continued engagement. micro enterprises, informal the fringes. mainstreaming • Bridging demand and supply waste collectors, merchants • Implementation of regulatory • Linking with livelihood gap identified through component requirements (ban on production programs of State and GoI. 1 of this SEP] and use certain plastics etc. and so on). 16 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Strategy Target stakeholders Topic of consultation / message Proposed engagement & Frequency Responsibilities disclosure method • Mapping the chain and circular • Incentives compatible economy mechanisms for effective • Prevention strategies reuse/ circular economy. • Abatement strategies • Mitigation strategies • Pilots to adapt coastal assets to • Dissemination workshops • For all the participating • PMU/PIUs and other 4.3 State Departments and agencies with close climate change • Web disclosure districts level officials prior to implementing departments rolling out of pilots. and agencies. consultations with coastal communities, fisherfolk and other key stakeholders identified in this project 17 4.3 Proposed strategy to incorporate the views of vulnerable groups The project will seek the views of differently abled, aged, marginalized communities, women, fisherfolk, through the methods of engagement as provided in Table-4. The following measures will be taken in order to remove obstacles to full and enabling participation / access to information: [Constant engagement and information disclosure is going to be an important part of K-SHORE. The above table summarizes the best suited modes of engaging each stakeholder group. The tools will evolve basis evolving needs of the stakeholder landscape]1 Table 5: Proposed modes of engagement with vulnerable stakeholder groups Stakeholder group Modes/tools of engagement 1.0 Strengthening of Institutions for Integrated Coastal Management • 2.0 Shoreline Management, coastal protection, and conservation • Continuous/ regular engagement in small groups through local Women, Fisherfolk, representatives/ champions (Blue-Cadre, gram panchayat, NGOs, Differently abled, aged, SHGs, community leaders) via campaigns roadshows and other Marginalized suitable modes of engagement communities • Awareness campaigns via radio, local TV channels and targeted mobile content • Focus group discussions to understand stakeholder concerns and viewpoints, uncover insights, and share project progress information • Information disclosures via wall paintings, pamphlets, etc. 3.0 Improvement of livelihoods for communities dependent on natural resources • Continuous/ regular engagement in small groups through local Women and women-led representatives/ champions (Blue-Cadre, gram panchayat, NGOs, self-help groups (SHGs), SHGs, community leaders) via campaigns roadshows and other fisherfolk, salt suitable modes of engagement producers, seaweed harvesters, coastal • Awareness campaigns via radio, local TV channels and targeted communities, private mobile content sector enterprises • Focus group discussions to understand stakeholder concerns and viewpoints, uncover insights, and share project progress information • Trainings (in person training via sector experts and community leaders) • Information disclosures via wall paintings, pamphlets, etc. 4.0 Enhancement of plastic circularity and reduction of pollution (or carbon reduction) in coastal regions • Continuous/ regular engagement in small groups through local Women, Fisher folk, representatives/ champions (Blue-Cadre, gram panchayat, NGOs, Differently SHGs, community leaders) via campaigns roadshows and other abled, Children, suitable modes of engagement Marginalized communities, Aged • Awareness campaigns (hands on trainings like net disposal methods and conservation best practices to protect rare species) • Focus group discussions to understand stakeholder concerns and viewpoints, uncover insights, and share project progress information • Trainings (in person training via sector experts and community leaders) • Information disclosures via wall paintings, pamphlets, etc. 18 The following measures will be taken to remove obstacles to full and enabling participation / access to information: • Deployment of men/women working as facilitators in various ongoing government schemes • Deployment of local community mobilizers working with various NGO, SHGs, CSO • Usage of customized audio-visual content and communication material devised as part of communication strategy; and • Focus group discussions and workshops 4.4 Security Management As the powers and duties of officers and employees of the Karnataka Forest Department empower Forest Services Officers to use arms/ weapons as part of carrying out their conservation/ protection/ “vigilance� mandates, in such sub-projects involving forestry, mangrove plantation/restoration etc., KERS – SPMU, will adopt the following approach as outlined in the ESMF: d) while preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in such sub-projects will undertake consultations with communities in the area to elicit their concerns, if any, and the forest officials (range officer and forest guards); e) record the summary of these consultations in the DPRs and f) based on above include commensurate measures of orientation and training will be listed in the ESMPs (embedded in the DPR). Further, i) procurement plans submitted by KERS SPMU to Bank would be screened to confirm that no rifles or ammunition are being financed under the SHORE Project; and ii) as required under Incident reporting in ESCP, incidents involving Forest Services Officers would be reported to the Bank, making clear that such incid ents are in fact “project- related�. 5. Resources and Responsibilities for implementing stakeholder engagement 5.1 Implementation Arrangements and Resources The entities responsible for carrying out stakeholder engagement activities are the SPMU, DPMU and District Project Execution Agency. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through a Progress report on an Annual basis which involves community engagement operations, collecting and processing of grievances, and maintaining a SEMS database developed and maintained by the PMU. The tentative budget estimate for the preparing and implementing SEP is [3,75,25,000]. The budget breakdown is provided in Annexure 2. Table 5: Roles and Responsibilities 19 Agency/Individual Roles and responsibilities • Review and approval of SEP State Project Management Unit • Coordinate among other implementation agencies/ – PMU • Approve and authorize all stakeholder engagement events and disclosure of material to support stakeholder engagement events and activities. • Approve prior to release, all IEC materials used to provide information associated with the project (communication material, PowerPoint, posters, leaflets and brochures, TV and radio insertions) • Provide overall guidance and monitoring supervision to the SEP process DPMUs at district at the local/ field level. level • Map the needs for and prepare and provide appropriate IEC and communication material, information required to be disclosed to different stakeholder categories. • Finalize the timing and duration of SEP related information disclosure and stakeholder engagement. • Orient the Field level staff on SEP and requirements for its operationalization. • Support PEAs in the data collection, operation and reporting of engagement activities • Implement all material/ strategies that are developed (in a culturally District Project appropriate manner) and available in easily comprehensible form to Executing stakeholders (based on their profile and their information needs). Agencies • Prepare annual engagement plans and budgets to implement them • Participate either themselves or identify suitable representative (govt/NGOs/Consultants etc), during all face-to face stakeholder meetings. • Review and sign-off minutes of all engagement events. • Maintain the stakeholder engagement database and submit periodic reports to DPMUs for review and onward sending to SPMU • Assure participation/ inclusion of stakeholders from vulnerable groups. • Management of contracts, implementation of community led activities with Village Committees/ Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) etc. 6. Grievance Mechanism A Grievance Mechanism is a system that allows not only grievances, but also queries, suggestions, positive feedback, and concerns of project-affected parties related to the environmental and social performance of a project to be submitted and responded to in a timely manner. 6.1 Description of Grievance Mechanism (GM) Table 6: Description of GM Process Timefra Step Description of process (e.g.) Responsibility me GM SPMU headed by the Chief Project Monthly SPMU at HQ implementation Director and Mission Director will be structure responsible for all project related issues including grievance resolution. 20 Timefra Step Description of process (e.g.) Responsibility me Each of the three DPMUs will DPMUs at the establish a Grievance Redressal each of the three Committee headed by the respective districts with Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) support from respective PEAs The PEA’s will keep records of grievances received, including contact details of the complainant, the date the complaint was received, the nature of the grievance, agreed corrective actions and the date these were affected and the final outcome. The project MIS will record and report on all complaints received from all the different mediums. The number of grievances recorded and resolved, and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed in the PIU’s office, as well as reported in monitoring reports submitted to World Bank on quarterly or semi-annual basis. All resolutions shall be communicated to the aggrieved party / complainant(s) Grievance Grievances can be submitted via the - SPMU and uptake following channels DPMU • Toll-free telephone hotline: 1926 operated by Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, GoK • E-mail to Forest Department at the email ID: kshore2024@gmail.com - emails operated by Forest Division offices • Letter to Forest Department addressed to Project Director, Karnataka Eco-restoration Society, Aranya Bhawan, Sankey Tank, Chowdaiah Road, Malleshwaram, Bangalore, 560012 address of all DCF(PIU) offices • In-person recording in the complaint register at the DPMU/ PIE office. 21 Timefra Step Description of process (e.g.) Responsibility me • Grievance or suggestion boxes located in DPMU/PIE offices. • Online form on the following website: www.eparihara.aranya.gov.in/kers /public/ Sorting, Any complaint received is forwarded Upon Assistant processing to the Assistant Engineer of the receipt of Engineer/Dedica PIU; logged in the GRM complain ted staff, PEA database; and categorized according t to the following complaint types: • Procurement and finance related • Land-related (measurement, payment of compensation, or other entitlements) • Construction stage issues (access, damages, non-payment of wages, etc.) • Lack of information • Other (specify) Acknowledgem Receipt of the grievance is Within 2 Assistant ent and follow- acknowledged to the complainant by days of Engineer/Dedica up Assistant Engineer, PEA receipt ted staff, PEA Verification, Investigation of the complaint is led by Within 7 Complaint investigation, Assistant Engineer/Taluka level or working Committee action subdivision level functionary, PEA days composed of Executive A proposed resolution is formulated by Engineer, PEA Assistant Engineer, PEA and communicated to the complainant Monitoring and Data on complaints are collected and Istweek of PEA evaluation reported to every month by PEA to every DPMUs month Provision of Feedback from complainants Before PEA feedback regarding their satisfaction with closure of complaint resolution is collected complain before closure of complaint in the t system Training Training needs for staff/consultants in Every six DPMUs the PIU, Contractors and Supervision months Consultants are provided by the E&S experts at the DPMUs 22 Timefra Step Description of process (e.g.) Responsibility me Appeals Tier II: All grievances that cannot be within 30 DPMUs process redressed within 7 days at the Ist tier days of (PEA level) will be brought to the receipt notice of the 2nd Tier i.e. DPMU’s Executive Engineer& E&S experts for resolution Tier III If the grievance is not resolved within 45 at DPMU’s Environment and Social days of Specialist/ Executive Engineer/ its Superintendent Engineer/ Chief receipt. Engineer (PIU’s Head) level, the grievance will be referred to PMU’s Environmental and Social Specialist/ Deputy Project Director K-SHORE. The grievance at this level will be resolved 6.2 The project GRM notwithstanding, an aggrieved person shall have access to the country's legal system at any stage. This can run parallel to accessing the GRM and is not dependent on the negative outcome of the GRM. Figure 5: Grievance Redress Process 30 Days 45 Days 23 In case of complaints relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, these will be safely and ethically received and confidentially managed. Complaints in this regard will be forwarded directly by the PEA to the SPMU, for appropriate investigation and resolution therein ensuring that survivor/victim identity and case details are known only to key persons. Details are provided on the process below Registration of grievances: Specifically, the following information will be recorded: (i) the allegation in the survivor’s own words; (ii) whether the alleged perpetrator is, to the best of the survivor’s knowledge, associated with the project; and, if possible, (iii) the age and sex of the survivor. Reporting: KERS-SPMU would report minimal information to the implementing agency, which will subsequently inform the Bank task team. This information should include (i) the nature of the case; (ii) if the case is project-related; (iii) the age and sex of the survivor (if available); and (iv) if the survivor was referred to services. Training/orientation would be provided to all personnel in KERS-SPMU and TAMC and respective PEA officials on aspects relating to handling of GBV/SEA/SH cases before commencement of sub-project implementation and subsequently on a periodic basis as per capacity building plan that will be developed and included in the POM. Costs. All costs involved in resolving the complaints (meetings, consultations, communication and reporting/ information dissemination) will be borne by the PEA’s. PEAs will also ensure the setting up of labor GRMs by the various contractors and monitor their functioning. They will ensure that the contractors submit information on grievance management as part of the monthly progress reporting. 7. Monitoring and Reporting 7.1 Summary of how SEP will be monitored and reported upon (including indicators) The SEP will be monitored based on both qualitative reporting (based on progress reports) and quantitative reporting linked to results indicators on stakeholder engagement and grievance performance. SEP reporting will include the following: (i) Progress reporting on the ESS10-Stakeholder Engagement commitments under the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) (ii) Cumulative qualitative reporting on the feedback received during SEP activities, in particular (a) issues that have been raised that can be addressed through changes 24 in project scope and design, and reflected in the basic documentation such as the Project Appraisal Document, Environmental and Social Assessment, Resettlement Plan, Indigenous Peoples Plan, or SEA/SH Action Plan, if needed; (b) issues that have been raised and can be addressed during project implementation; (c) issues that have been raised that are beyond the scope of the project and are better addressed through alternative projects, programs or initiatives; and (d) issues that cannot be addressed by the project due to technical, jurisdictional or excessive cost-associated reasons. Minutes of meetings summarizing the views of the attendees can also be annexed to the monitoring reports. (iii) Quantitative reporting based on the indicators included in the SEP. An illustrative set of indicators for monitoring and reporting is included in Annexure 3. The below table captures at a high level the key metrics/parameters that will be tracked and governed across the four key project components. Table 7: Monitoring Plan (not exhaustive) Area Activity Monitoring Frequency Measurement metric • % of personnel incrementally Capacity Baseline training 3-6 months trained building needs assessment and end-state capacity • No. and type of topics covered development • No. and type of blue cadre assessments members increased, and no. of conducted new achievements unlocked by blue cadre No. of CB workshops conducted, and topics covered State-state knowledge 6 months No. of field exposure visits to other exchange states implementing successful practices Enterprise capacity 6 months No. of training conducted on strengthened enterprise skills (digital payments, business mgmt., packaging, marketing, etc.) and range of topics Tenders for Publication of Upon requirement No. of disclosures on the SPMU works, advertisements for website hirings, etc. various works and hiring of employees/contracting of consultants • No. of consultations, meetings Consultations Conducting Quarterly and submitted and FGDs conducted by and FGDs consultations, to bank as part of the category of stakeholders (segregated meetings, and FGDs Half-yearly Progress by gender) reports • Project affected persons • Other interested groups 25 Area Activity Monitoring Frequency Measurement metric Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups Note: This is a preliminary monitoring plan and will be detailed further with additional KPIs as the project advances into subsequent phases. 7.2 Reporting back to stakeholder groups The SEP will be periodically revised and updated as necessary in the course of project implementation. Quarterly reports and internal reports on public grievances, enquiries, and related incidents, together with the status of implementation of associated corrective/ preventive actions, will be collated by respective field staffs and referred to the PEA/DPMU and SPMU. The quarterly reports will provide a mechanism for assessing both the number and nature of complaints and requests for information, along with the project’s ability to address those in a timely and effective manner. Information on public engagement activities undertaken by the Project during the year would be conveyed to the stakeholders in various ways such as letters, media briefings, etc. 26 Annexure 1: Template to Capture Consultation Minutes Stakeholder (Group or Summary of Response of Project Follow-up Action/Next Individual) Feedback Implementation Team Steps 27 Annexure 2: Example of a SEP Budget Table Budget categories Quantity Unit Total Remarks costs costs in Lakhs 1. Estimated Staff salaries* and related expenses 1a. Coordinator/ Facilitator/ Associates/ 66 40,000 26,40,000 Communications consultant 1b. Travel costs for staff 300 7,000 21,00,000 10,000 31,00.000 1c. Estimated salaries for field level Officers 66 25,000 16,50,000 2. Consultations/ Participatory Planning, Decision-Making Meetings 2a. Village Level Workshops 500 50000 25,00,000 2b. Focus group Discussions 800 10,000 80,00,000 3. Communication campaigns 3a. Posters, flyers 100 20,000 20,00,000 3b. Social media campaign/radio communication 50 15,000 7,50,000 4. Trainings 4a. Training on social/environmental issues for 25 50,000 12,50,000 PIU and contractor staff 4b. Training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for 25 50,000 12,50,000 PIU and contractor staff 5. Beneficiary surveys 5a. E.g., Mid-project perception survey 0 - - 5b. E.g., End-of-project perception survey 0 - - 6. Grievance Mechanism 6a.Training of GM committees 10 25,000 2,50,000 6b. Suggestion boxes in villages 300 5,000 15,00,000 6c. GM communication materials 10 20,000 ,00,000 6d. Grevance investigations/site visits 12 30,000 3,60,000 6e. GM Information System (setting up or 5 25,000 1,25,000 maintenance) 6f. Other GM Logistical Costs 15 30,000 4,50,000 7. Other expenses 7a. Miscellaneous 1 20,00,000 20,00,000 TOTAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT BUDGET 3,75,25,000 *Note: Salary costs can be indicative 28 Annexure 3. Sample Table: Monitoring and Reporting on the SEP Key evaluation Specific Evaluation Potential Indicators Data Collection questions questions Methods • Are project affected • Usage of GM and/or GM. To what extent have Records from the parties raising issues feedback mechanisms project-affected parties implementing agency been provided with and grievances? • Requests for information and other relevant accessible and inclusive • How from relevant agencies. agencies means to raise issues quickly/effectively are • Use of suggestion boxes and grievances? Has the the grievances placed in the implementing agency resolved? villages/project responded to and communities. managed such • Number of grievances grievances? raised by workers, disaggregated by gender of workers and worksite, resolved within a specified time frame. • Number of Sexual Exploitation, and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) cases reported in the project areas, which were referred for health, social, legal and security support according to the referral process in place. (if applicable) • Number of grievances that have been (i) opened, (ii) opened for more than 30 days, (iii)resolved, (iv) closed, and (v) number of responses that satisfied the complainants, during the reporting period disaggregated by category of grievance, gender, age, and location of complainant. • Was there interest • Active participation of Stakeholder Stakeholder and support for the stakeholders in activities engagement impact on Consultation project design and project? • Number of actions taken in Attendance implementation. • Were there any a timely manner in Sheets/Minutes adjustments made response to feedback How have engagement during project design received during activities made a and implementation consultation sessions with Evaluation forms difference in project based on the project affected parties. design and feedback received? • Number of consultation implementation? • Was priority meetings and public Structured surveys information disclosed discussions where the to relevant parties feedback and throughout the project recommendation received Social cycle? is reflected in project media/traditional design and media entries on the implementation. project results 29 Key evaluation Specific Evaluation Potential Indicators Data Collection questions questions Methods • Number of disaggregated engagement sessions held, focused on at-risk groups in the project. • Were the activities • Percentage of SEP Implementation Communication implemented as activities implemented. effectiveness. Were Strategy (Consultation stakeholder engagement planned? Why or why • Key barriers to Schedule) not? participation identified with activities effective in implementation? • Was the stakeholder stakeholder engagement representatives. Periodic Focus Group approach inclusive of • Number of adjustments Discussions disaggregated made in the stakeholder groups? Why or why engagement approach to not? improve projects’ Face-to-face meetings outreach, inclusion and and/or Focus Group effectiveness. discussions with Vulnerable Groups or their representatives 30 Annexure 5: Stakeholders Consulted Stakeholders consulted across the three districts were as below: Stakeholders consulted Location Date Traditional & Mechanical boat co-operative society, Udupi 17th Oct 2023 Malpe - Udupi Deep Sea Society, Malpe Udupi 17th Oct 2023 Fisheries & Fish Product Co-op Society Udupi 17th Oct 2023 CRZ Mangaluru Udupi 17th Oct 2023 CRZ Udupi Udupi 17th Oct 2023 Fisheries Department Udupi 17th Oct 2023 KFDC Udupi 17th Oct 2023 ICAR - CMFRI Udupi 17th Oct 2023 DC Udupi Udupi 18th Oct 2023 Panchayati Raj, ULBs Udupi 18th Oct 2023 NGOs, SHGs Udupi 18th Oct 2023 CCF Mangaluru Mangaluru 19th Oct 2023 DCF Mangaluru Mangaluru 19th Oct 2023 DCF Udupi Mangaluru 19th Oct 2023 CRZ Mangaluru Mangaluru 19th Oct 2023 RFO Mangaluru Mangaluru 19th Oct 2023 31 Annexure 6: Details of on-the-ground Consultations (i) Meeting with the fisheries department and related bodies at Udupi (ii) Meeting with DC and other representatives at Udupi (iii) Visit to waste management facility, MRF at Udupi 32 (iv) Visit to fish drying area at Udupi 33 (v) Visit to Kundapur beach with SHG (Clean Kundapur) (vi) Visit to the mangrove belt at Kodi, Udupi 34 (vii) Meeting with CCF Mangaluru 35 1 Examples may include (i) women: ensure that community engagement teams are gender-balanced and promote women’s leadership within these, design online and in-person surveys and other engagement activities so that women in unpaid care work can participate; consider provisions for childcare, transport, and safety for any in-person community engagement activities; promote gender- segregated consultations and other approaches allowing for the free and enabling participation of women and girls, including groups of women and girls who are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and risks potentially associated with the project; consult with women’s organizations, including organizations advocating for survivors’ rights (ii) Pregnant women: develop education materials for pregnant women on basic hygiene practices, infection precautions, and how and where to seek care based on their questions and concerns; (iii) Elderly and people with existing medical conditions: develop information on specific needs and explain why they are at more risk & what measures to take to care for them; tailor messages and make them actionable for particular living conditions (including assisted living facilities), and health status; target family member; (iii) Persons with disabilities: provide information in accessible formats, like braille, large print; offer multiple forms of communication, such as text captioning or signed videos, text captioning for hearing impaired, online materials for people who use assistive technology; consider and take into account gender and other dimensions of identity and vulnerability and (iv) Children: design information and communication materials in a child-friendly manner and provide parents with skills to gather and promote children’s voices, best interest, perspectives and participation; mobilize cap acity as needed to be able to safely engage teenagers, and/or engage with organizations advocating for children’s rights. 36