Divriği-Kars-Georgia Border Railway Line Rehabilitation and Modernization Project

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 235 / 467 EUNIS Habitat Type Habitats Directive Annex I Habitat Characteristics E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Annex I It is represented in the Sarıkamış-Çıldır route in the project area. The habitat, with an altitude ranging between 1800 and 2200 meters, is characterized by dominant species from the Poaceae family. Plants in this habitat are harvested by the local community in July-August to obtain hay. The dominant species in this habitat, which is used for pasture purposes, include Poa trivialis, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca sp., Salvia verticillata, Cirsium lappaceum, Elymus elongatus, and Poa pratensis. G1.1: Riparian and gallery woodland, with dominant Alnus, Betula, Populus, or Salix Annex I It represents riparian habitats developing along the stream valleys in the project route. The dominant species in this habitat are Salix alba, Populus nigra, and Tamarix smyrnensis. There are no critically distributed species in this habitat. G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Annex I This habitat type is predominantly represented in the Erzincan-İliç and Erzincan Aşkale routes in the project area. The dominant oak species in this habitat are Quercus petraea subsp. pinnatiloba, Quercus libani, and Quercus brantii. In the understory, endemic species such as Salvia euphratica and Gypsophila aucheri are also distributed. G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga Annex I This habitat type is encountered in the vicinity of Sarıkamış along the project route. The widespread and characteristic species of this habitat are Pinus sylvestris. Populus tremula is also quite common within this habitat. Forest clearings are covered with subalpine meadows. Endemic species such as Hieracium karagoellense are also present in this habitat. G3.5: Pinus nigra woodland Annex I Forests dominated by pines of the Pinus nigra group. G4.8: Mixed non-riverine deciduous and coniferous woodland - Mixed non-riverine woodland without a significant Pinus component, comprising elements of Fagus, Betula, Populus tremula or Sorbus aucuparia together with Abies and Picea woodland. G5.2 : Small broadleaved deciduous anthropogenic woodlands - Plantations and small intensively-managed woods of deciduous broadleaved trees less than about 0.5 ha in area. H3.5 : Almost bare rock pavements, including limestone pavements Annex I More or less level surfaces of rock exposed by glacial erosion, by weathering processes, or by aeolian scouring, bare or colonized by mosses, algae or lichens. The hard rock surface may be exposed or partially covered by erosional rock debris, in particular, those produced by frost weathering, heaving, thrusting or cracking. Included are rock surfaces in karst landscapes, rock dome tops, whaleback, roche moutonné, flyggberg and rock basin formations of periglacial areas, golec and felsenmeer formations, level surfaces of dykes and old lava flows. Vascular plant communities may colonize cracks and weathered surfaces. H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity - It represents sparsely vegetated rocky areas along the project route. The characteristic species of this habitat are perennial chamaephytic plants. The common species in this habitat include Tanacetum armenum, Inula aschersoniana, Scrophularia libanotica, Tanacetum argenteum, and Parietaria judaica. Regional endemic species such as Campanula munzurensin, Phryna ortegioides, and Campanula yildirimlii are also distributed in this habitat. I1.1 : Intensive unmixed crops - This habitat type is quite common along the project route. In this habitat, crops such as wheat, sunflower, sugar beets, cabbage, and beans are cultivated. Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 236 / 467 EUNIS Habitat Type Habitats Directive Annex I Habitat Characteristics I1.2 : Mixed crops of market gardens and horticulture - Intensive cultivation of vegetables, flowers, small fruits, usually in alternating strips of different crops. Includes allotments and small-scale market gardens. J1.1 : Residential buildings of city and town centres - - J1.2 : Residential buildings of villages and urban peripheries - - J2.3 : Rural industrial and commercial sites still in active use - - J2.7 : Rural construction and demolition sites - - J3.2 : Active opencast mineral extraction sites, including quarries - - J4.3 : Rail networks - - J4.4 : Airport runways and aprons - - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 237 / 467 Images of the habitats are given below. Figure 51. G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Figure 52. E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 238 / 467 Figure 53. H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity Figure 54. G1.1: Riparian and gallery woodland, with dominant Alnus, Betula, Populus, or Salix ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 239 / 467 Figure 55. E1.2E : Irano-Anatolian steppes Figure 56. E1.2B : Serpentine steppes ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 240 / 467 Figure 57. G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga Figure 58. D5.3 : Swamps and marshes dominated by Juncus effusus or other large Juncus spp. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 241 / 467 Figure 59. E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland 4.8.1.1 Flora The aim of the survey was to identify the flora and vegetation structure of the route, determine any critical plant species or habitats along the route, and minimize the impact of the activities on these species and habitats. Initially, a sufficient number of sample points representing each habitat were determined using Google Earth. Considering the potential effects on both sides of the road during the activities, a zone of 250 meters to the right and left of the road was included in the study. Accordingly, 33 different sample points representing various habitats were identified along the route. When selecting sample points, priority was given to natural habitats and areas where critical species are distributed. Thus, 2 sample points were designated to represent gypsum steppe habitats, 1 sample point for serpentine steppe habitat, 18 sample points for perennial calcareous steppe habitats, 5 sample points for deciduous mixed oak forests, 1 sample point for riverbank gallery forests, 3 sample points for Pinus sylvestris forests, 3 sample points for sparsely vegetated rocky habitats, 1 sample point for marsh habitat, and 4 sample points for acidic alpine and subalpine meadow habitats. The survey locations where the study was conducted, the habitat types of the stations, and their coordinates are given in Table 83. Table 83. Survey locations along the project route, their coordinates, and habitat types Survey Location Coordinates Habitat types Loc 1 37 S 421801-4365156 H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity Loc 2 37 S 467915-4370000 E1.2E : Irano-Anatolian steppes Loc 3 37 S 492216-4380433 E1.2B : Serpentine steppes Loc 4 37 S 493146-4381037 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 5 37 S 495420-4381360 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 6 37 S 505216-4384156 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 7 37 S 509127-4384210 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 242 / 467 Survey Location Coordinates Habitat types Loc 8 37 S 512453-4384331 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 9 37 S 521365-4387222 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 10 37 S 532694-4386927 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 11 37 S 525934-4386912 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 12 37 S 527389-4388047 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 13 37 S 532701-4391459 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 14 37 S 563186-4389324 D5.3 : Swamps and marshes dominated by Juncus effusus or other large Juncus spp. Loc 15 37 S 572872-4384096 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland G1.1: Riparian and gallery woodland, with dominant Alnus, Betula, Populus, or Salix Loc 16 37 S 577026-4382383 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 17 37 S 578685-4381964 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 18 37 S 594024-4379157 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland Loc 19 37 S 636074-4422532 E1.2E : Irano-Anatolian steppes Loc 20 37 S 696825-4423895 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 21 37 S 699127-4425164 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 22 37 S 705790-4426079 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 23 37 S 746925-4428637 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 24 38 T 260081-4437612 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 25 38 T 265684-4454413 E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes Loc 26 38 T 267269-4456633 H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity Loc 27 38 T 274505-4464154 E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Loc 28 38 T 279838-4461682 G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga Loc 29 38 T 286582-4463708 G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Loc 30 38 T 299158-4470410 G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Loc 31 38 T 357445-4537270 E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Loc 32 38 T 358193-4542803 E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland Loc 33 38 T 360418-4548332 E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland The field surveys along the project route were conducted between November 13th and 16th, 2023. During the fieldwork, habitats at each identified point were thoroughly examined, and field notes were recorded in the field diary. The floristic list provided habitat-based species based on findings and observations obtained during the field trip. The floristic list is presented in the order of ferns (Pteridophyta), gymnosperms (Gymnospermae), and angiosperms (Angiospermae), respectively. Families within each group are listed in alphabetical order. When listing species, the following details are provided sequentially: Turkish names (if available), plant geography region, endemism status, threat level for endemics, inclusion in the Bern and CITES lists, and abundance within the EUNIS habitat type and area, which are detailed in Table 84. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 243 / 467 Table 84. Flora List of the Project Route and Surrounding Areas FAMILY NO SPECIES TURKISH NAME FITOGEOGRAPHIC REGION ENDEMISM RDB BERN CITES HABITAT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE R W Anx1 App1 App2 App3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 PTERIDOPHYTA ASPLENIACEAE 1 Ceterach officinarum DC. Altın otu Geniş yayılışlı x x SPERMATOPHYTA GYMNOSPERMAE PINACEAE 2 Pinus sylvestris L. sarıçam Geniş yayılışlı x x x CUPRESSACEAE 3 Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus Katranardıcı Geniş yayılışlı x x x 4 Juniperus excelsa Bieb. Boylu ardıç Geniş yayılışlı x x x EPHEDRACEAE 5 Ephedra major Host Hum Geniş yayılışlı x x ANGIOSPERMAE DICOTYLEDONES ACANTHACEAE 6 Acanthus dioscoridis L. var. dioscoridis Geniş yayılışlı x x x APIACEAE 7 Astrodaucus orientalis (L.) Drude Iran-Turan x x x 8 Artedia squamata L. Karabenek Geniş yayılışlı x x 9 Bupleurum gerardii All. Geniş yayılışlı x x 10 Bupleurum papillosum DC. Iran-Turan x LC x x 11 Echinophora chrysantha Freyn & Sint. Iran-Turan x EN x x x 12 Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiana (Guss.) Tutin Iran-Turan x x x x 13 Eryngium campestre L. var. campestre Link Çakır dikeni Geniş yayılışlı x x x 14 Eryngium billardieri Delar Çakır dikeni Iran-Turan x x 15 Ferulago longistylis Boiss. Çakşır Iran-Turan x EN x x x 16 Ferulago pauciradiata Boiss. Çakşır Iran-Turan x LC x x x x x 17 Ferula orientalis L. Kıngor Iran-Turan x x 18 Grammosciadium pterocarpum Boiss. Iran-Turan x x 19 Hippomarathrum microcarpum (M. Bieb.) B. Fedtsch. Sarunotu Geniş yayılışlı x x 20 Johrenia dichotoma DC. Subsp. dichotoma Geniş yayılışlı x x 21 Malabaila secacul Banks & Sol. Geniş yayılışlı x x x 22 Peucedanum palimbioides Boiss. Iran-Turan x LC x x x 23 Pimpinella kotschyana Boiss. Iran-Turan x x 24 Pimpinella tragium Vill. subsp. lithophila (Schischkin) Tutin Geniş yayılışlı x x 25 Prangos meliocarpoides Boiss. var. arcis-romanae (boiss. & Huet & Herrnst. & Heyn Çakşır Iran-Turan x x 26 Prangos pabularia Lindl. Çakşır Geniş yayılışlı x x 27 Ormosciadium aucheri Boiss. Ayıeli Geniş yayılışlı x x x 28 Opopanax hispidus (Friv.) Gris. Geniş yayılışlı x x 29 Seseli libanotis Koch Dağ havucu Avrupa-Sibirya x x 30 Scandix pecten-veneris L. Çoban tarağı Geniş yayılışlı x x ASCLEPIADACEAE 31 Vincetoxicum fuscatum (Hornem.) Reichb. Fil. subsp. Fuscatum Panzehir otu Geniş yayılışlı x x ASTERACEAE 32 Achillea millefolium L. subsp. millefolium Civan perçemi Avrupa-Sibirya x x 33 Achillea kotschyi Boiss. subsp. kotschyi Civan perçemi Geniş yayılışlı x x 34 Achillea sintenisii Hub.-Mor. Kuruçay perçemix Iran-Turan x VU x x 35 Achillea pseudoaleppica Hub.-Mor. Civan perçemi Iran-Turan x VU x x x x x 36 Anthemis hyalina DC. Papatya Geniş yayılışlı x x 37 Anthemis tinctoria L. var. tinctoria Papatya Geniş yayılışlı x x 38 Artemisia taurica Willd. Kırım yavşanı Geniş yayılışlı x x 39 Artemisia austriaca Jacq. Yavşan otu Iran-Turan x x ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 250 / 467 FAMILY NO SPECIES TURKISH NAME FITOGEOGRAPHIC REGION ENDEMISM RDB BERN CITES HABITAT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE R W Anx1 App1 App2 App3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 300 Glaucium cappadocicum Boiss. Boynuzlugelincik Iran-Turan x VU x x x x 301 Papaver rhoeas L. Gelincik Geniş yayılışlı x x 302 Papaver triniifolium Boiss. Gelincik Iran-Turan x LC x x 303 Papaver glaucum Boiss. & Hausskn. Gelincik Iran-Turan x x PLANTAGINACEAE 304 Plantago lanceolata L. Sinir otu Geniş yayılışlı x x 305 Plantago euphratica Decne. Ex Barneoud Sinir otu Iran-Turan x VU x x x PLUMBAGINACEAE 306 Acantholimon acerosum (Willd.) Boiss. var. acerosum Pişik geveni Iran-Turan x x x 307 Acantholimon ulicinum (Willd. ex Schultes) Boiss. Subsp. lycaonicum (Boiss. & Heldr.) Bokhari & Edmondson Pişik geveni Iran-Turan x x 308 Acantholimon caesareum Boiss. & Bal. Pişik geveni Iran-Turan x LC x x x 309 Limoniopsis owerinii (Boiss.) Lincz. Eğin kuduzotu Iran-Turan VU x x 310 Plumbago europaea L. Karakına Avrupa-Sibirya x x x POLYGALACEAE 311 Polygala anatolica Boiss. & Heldr. Keten Geniş yayılışlı x x POLYGONACEAE 312 Polygonum setosum Jacq. Ebemekmeği Iran-Turan x x x 313 Rumex scutatus L. Labada Geniş yayılışlı x x PRIMULACEAE 314 Anagallis arvensis L. var. Caerulea (L.) Gouan. fare kulağı Geniş yayılışlı x x 315 Androsace maxima L. Geniş yayılışlı x x RANUNCULACEAE 316 Adonis aestivalis L. subsp. parviflora (Fisch. ex DC.) Busch Kanavcı otu Geniş yayılışlı x x 317 Ceratocephalus falcatus (L.) Pers. Geniş yayılışlı x x 318 Clemtais orientalis (Gay.) Schröd. Ak asma Geniş yayılışlı x x x 319 Consolida orientalis (Gay) Schıöd Hazeran Geniş yayılışlı x x 320 Delphinium kurdicum Boiss. & Hohen Iran-Turan x X 321 Ranunculus arvensis L. Düğün çiçeği Geniş yayılışlı x x 322 Ranıunculus kochii Ledeb. Iran-Turan x RESEDACEAE 323 Reseda lutea L. var. lutea Muhabbet çiçeği Geniş yayılışlı x x 324 Reseda armena Boiss. var. scabridula Abdallah & De Wit Hasgerdanlık Iran-Turan x VU x x RHAMNACEAE 325 Paliurus spina-christi Miller Kara çalı Geniş yayılışlı x x x 326 Rhamnus pallasii Fisch. & Mey. Cehri Geniş yayılışlı x x x x ROSACEAE 327 Cotoneaster nummularia Fisch.& Mey. Dağ muşmulası Geniş yayılışlı x x x 328 Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Miller var. mahaleb Mahleb Geniş yayılışlı x x x 329 Cerasus microcarpa (C.A.Meyer) Boiss. Subsp. microcarpa Yabani kiraz Iran-Turan x x x 330 Cerasus angustifolia (Spach) Browicz var. angustifolia Kızıl kiraz Iran-Turan x x x 331 Crataegus orientalis Pallas ex Bieb. var. orientalis Alıç Geniş yayılışlı x x 332 Crataegus monogyna Jacq. subsp. monogyna alıç Geniş yayılışlı x x 333 Geum urbanum L. Avrupa-Sibirya x x 334 Potentilla recta L. Beşparmak otu Geniş yayılışlı x x 335 Prunus divaricata Ledeb. subsp. divaricata Çakal eriği Geniş yayılışlı x x 336 Pyrus elaeagnifolia Pallas subsp. elaeagnifolia Ahlat Geniş yayılışlı x x 337 Rosa pulverulenta M. Bieb. bodur gül Geniş yayılışlı x x x 338 Rosa canına L. Gül Geniş yayılışlı x x x 339 Rosa pimpinellifolia L. Karakuşburnu Avrupa-Sibirya x x 340 Rubus sanctus Schreber Böğürtlen Geniş yayılışlı x x x 341 Sanguisorba minor Scop. subsp. minor Küçük çayır düğmesi Geniş yayılışlı x x x ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 251 / 467 FAMILY NO SPECIES TURKISH NAME FITOGEOGRAPHIC REGION ENDEMISM RDB BERN CITES HABITAT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE R W Anx1 App1 App2 App3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 342 Spiraea crenata L. Keçisakalı Geniş yayılışlı x x x RUBIACEAE 343 Asperula arvensis L. Asperula Akdeniz x x 344 Asperula involucrata Wahlenb. Geniş yayılışlı x x 345 Asperula stricta Boiss. subsp. latibracteata (Boiss.) Ehrend Iran-Turan x LC x x 346 Callipeltis cucullaria (L.) Steven Iran-Turan x x x 347 Crucianella exasperata Fisch.& Mey. Iran-Turan x x x 348 Cruciata taurica (Pallas ex Willd.) Ehrend. Iran-Turan x x 349 Galium tenuissimum Bieb. Subsp. trichophorum (Kar. & Kir) Ehrend. Iran-Turan x x 350 Galium verum L. subsp. verum Yoğurt otu Avrupa-Sibirya x x SALICACEAE 351 Salix alba L. Ak söğüt Avrupa-Sibirya x x x 352 Populus tremula L. Subsp. tremula Titrek kavak Geniş yayılışlı x x 353 Populus nigra L. Subsp. nigra Karakavak Avrupa-Sibirya x x SANTALACEAE 354 Thesium stelleroides Jaub. & Spach Ana güvelek Iran-turan x VU x x SCROPHULARIACEAE 355 Anarrhinum orientale Bentham Iran-Turan x x x 356 Linaria corifolia Desf. Nevruz Iran-Turan X LC x x 357 Odontites aucheri Boiss. Ira-turan x x 358 Scrophularia libanotica Boiss. subsp. armena R. Mill Kaya çekemi Iran-Turan x NT x x 359 Scrophularia xanthoglossa Boiss. var. decipiens (Boiss. & Kotschy) Boiss. Iran-Turan x x 360 Verbascum cherianthifolium Boiss. var. cherianthifolium Sığır kuyruğu Geniş yayılışlı x x 361 Verbascum mucronatum Lam. Sığır kuyruğu Akdeniz x x 362 Verbascum alyssifolium Boiss. Kuduzkuyruk Iran-turan x CR x x 363 Verbascum tunae-ekimii F. Karavelioğulları, A. Duran& E.Hamzaoğlu Sığır kuyruğu Iran-Turan X CR x x x x 364 Veronica orientalis Miller subsp. orientalis Yavşan otu Geniş yayılışlı x x x SOLANACEAE 365 Solanum nigrum L. subsp. nigrum Köpek memesi Geniş yayılışlı x x TAMARICACEAE 366 Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge Ilgın Geniş yayılışlı x x THYMELAEACEAE 367 Daphne oleoides Schreber Gövçek Geniş yayılışlı x x x 368 Thymelaea passerina (L.) Cosson & Germ. Geniş yayılışlı x x x ULMACEAE 369 Celtis glabrata Steven ex Bieb. Çitlenbik Geniş yayılışlı x x 370 Celtis tournefortii Lam. Dardağan Geniş yayılışlı x x x URTICACEAE 371 Urtica dioica L Isırgan Avrupa-Sibirya x x x 372 Parietaria judaica L. Duvarfesleğeni Geniş yayılışlı x x VALERIANACEAE 373 Valerianella muricata (Stev.) Baxt. Kuzu gevreği Geniş yayılışlı x x 374 Valerianella vesicaria (L.) Moench Geniş yayılışlı x x x VERBENACEAE 375 Verbena officinalis L. Mine çiçeği Geniş yayılışlı x x MONOCOTYLEDONAE CYPERACEAE 376 Schoenus nigricans L. Geniş yayılışlı x x IRIDACEAE 377 Iris galatica Siehe Navruz Geniş yayılışlı X LC X X 378 Crocus biflorus Mill. Subsp. tauri (Maw) B. Mathew Çiğdem Iran-Turan x x 379 Gladiolus hamzaoglui H. Duman, Sağıroğlu& Tekşen İliç kargasoğanı Iran-Turan x VU x x x JUNCACEAE 380 Juncus inflexus L. Kofa Geniş yayılışlı x x 381 Juncus effusus L. Cilaotu Geniş yayılışlı x x 382 Juncus heldreichianus Marsson ex Parl. Subsp. orientalis Snog. Kısadombay Geniş yayılışlı x x LILIACEAE 383 Allium kharputense Freyn & Sint. Yabanisoğan Iran-Turan x x ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 252 / 467 FAMILY NO SPECIES TURKISH NAME FITOGEOGRAPHIC REGION ENDEMISM RDB BERN CITES HABITAT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE R W Anx1 App1 App2 App3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 384 Allium callidictyon C.A. Meyer ex Kunth Yabani soğan Iran-Turan x x 385 Allium dictyoprasum C.A.Meyer ex Kunth Top soğan Iran-Turan x x x 386 Allium purpureoviride M. Koyuncu & İ. Genç Yabani soğan Iran-Turan x VU x x 387 Allium roduntum L. Yabanisoğan Geniş yayılışlı x x x 388 Asphodeline tenuior (Fischer) Ledeb. var. puberulenta E. Tuzlaci Geniş yayılışlı X VU x x x 389 Bellevalia gracilis Feinbrun Iran-Turan x LC x x 390 Colchicum triphyllum G.Kunze Acı çiğdem Akdeniz x x 391 Eremurus spectabilis Bieb. Çiriş Iran-Turan x x 392 Fritillaria crassifolia Boiss. & Huet subsp. crassifolia boynubükük Iran-Turan x LC x x 393 Gagea villosa (Bieb.) Duby var. villosa Altın yıldız Akdeniz x x 394 Gagea bulbifera (Pallas) Schultes & Schultes fil. Altın yıldız Avrupa-Sibirya x x 395 Gagea glacialis C. Koch Altın yıldız Iran-Turan x x 396 Hyacinthella acutiloba K. Persson & Wendelbo Sümbül Iran-Turan x VU x x x 397 Muscari neglectum Guss. Misk, arap sümbülü Geniş yayılışlı x x x 398 Ornithogalum oligophyllum E.D. Carke Geniş yayılışlı x x 399 Ornithogalum sphaerocarpum Kerner Tükürük otu Geniş yayılışlı x x x 400 Scilla leepii Speta Iran-Turan x NT x x x 401 Tulipa armena Boiss. var. armena Lale Geniş yayılışlı X X ORCHIDACEAE 402 Epipactis veratrifolia Boiss. & Hohen. Orkide Iran-Turan x x 403 Dactylorhiza iberica (Bieb. ex Willd.) Soo Orkide Akdeniz x x POACEAE 404 Aegilops triuncialis L. subsp. triuncialis Geniş yayılışlı x x x 405 Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner subsp. pectinatum (Bieb.) Tzvelev var. pectinatum Otlak ayrığı Geniş yayılışlı x x 406 Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng. Geniş yayılışlı x x 407 Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. glomerata Domuz ayrığı Avrupa-Sibirya x x x 408 Briza media L. Geniş yayılışlı x x 409 Briza humilis Bieb. Geniş yayılışlı x x x 410 Bromus japonicus Thunb. Geniş yayılışlı x x 411 Bromus sterilis L. Brom Avrupa-Sibirya x x 412 Bromus tomentellus Boiss. Iran-Turan x x 413 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Köpekdişi Geniş yayılışlı x x x 414 Elymus hispidus (Opiz.) Melderis subsp. hispidus Geniş yayılışlı x x x x x 415 Elymus elongatus (Host) Runemark Subsp. turcicus (McGuire) Melderis Puslu putaotu Geniş yayılışlı x x 416 Festuca valesiaca Schleicher ex Gaudin Meşe yumağı Geniş yayılışlı x x x 417 Gaudiniopsis macra (Bieb.) Eig subsp. macra Iran-Turan x x x 418 Koeleria cristata (L.) Pers. Geniş yayılışlı x x x 419 Melica penicillaris Boiss. & Bal. Iran-Turan x x 420 Pennisetum orientale L. C. M. Richard Iran-Turan x x x 421 Phleum exaratum Hochst. Ex Griseb. subsp. exaratum Akdeniz x x x 422 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Kamış Avrupa-Sibirya x x x 423 Piptatherum holciforme (Bieb.) Roemer & Schultes var.holciforme Geniş yayılışlı x x x 424 Stipa holosericea Trin. Dirgen kılaç Iran-Turan x x 425 Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevskisubsp. crinitum (Schreber) melderis Iran-Turan x x 426 Poa bulbosa L. Yumrulu salkım Geniş yayılışlı x x x 427 Poa trivialis L. Kabasalkımotu Geniş yayılışlı x x ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 253 / 467 FAMILY NO SPECIES TURKISH NAME FITOGEOGRAPHIC REGION ENDEMISM RDB BERN CITES HABITAT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE R W Anx1 App1 App2 App3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 428 Poa pratensis L. Çim Geniş yayılışlı x x x ENDEMISM HABITAT TYPES R: Regional Endemic 1: G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland W: Widespread Endemic 2: E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes 3: H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity RDB. Threat Category 4: G1.1: Riparian and gallery woodland, with dominant Alnus, Betula, Populus, or Salix According to the IUCN (Ekim et al., 2000) 5. E1.2E : Irano-Anatolian steppes EX: Extinct 6. Serpantin step (E1.B) EW: Extinxt in the Wild 7. G3.4 : Pinus sylvestris woodland south of the taiga CR : Critically Endangered 8. D5.3 : Swamps and marshes dominated by Juncus effusus or other large Juncus spp. EN: Endangered 9. E4.3 : Acid alpine and subalpine grassland VU: Vulnerable NT: Tnear Threatened RELATIVE ABUNDANCES LC: Least Concern 1: Extremely rare DD: Data Deficient 2: Rare 3: Moderate density 4: Abundant 5: Very abundant BERN (BERN CONVENTION) Anx1 (Annex1): Strictly Protected Flora Species ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 254 / 467 The areas along the route, where the project will be implemented, exhibit a vegetation structure shaped by Mediterranean and Continental climates. A significant portion of the route consists of dry and irrigated agricultural areas. The natural habitat covers approximately 30% of the total area along the route. Within the areas where natural vegetation thrives, there are habitats such as perennial calcareous steppe, gypsum steppe, serpentine steppe, needle-leaved forests, deciduous forests, marshes, riparian zones, and sparsely vegetated rocky habitats. The entire project route falls within the Iran-Turan plant geography region. Therefore, numerous endemic species are also present in the natural habitats representing the Iran-Turan geography region. According to the surveys there are a total of 428 species and taxa at or below the level of family, belonging to 62 families (see Table 84). Among these identified species, 81 are endemic. Of the endemic taxa, 38 are regional (including Echinophora chrysantha, Ferulago longistylis, Achillea sintenisii, Achillea pseudoaleppica, Centaurea aucherana, Centaurea derderifolia, Centaurea huber-morathii, Cousinia sintenisii, Scorzonera aucherana, Tanacetum heterotomum, Onosma erzincanica, Hesperis breviscapa, Isatis sivasica, Physoptychis haussknechtii, Tchihatchewia isatidea, Campanula yildirimlii, Campanula munzurensis, Gypsophila heteropoda subsp. minutiflora, Gypsophila aucheri, Silene nerimaniae, Ebenus macrophylla, Hedysarum yilmazunalii, Paronychia arabica ssubsp. euphratica, Origanum haussknechtii, Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina, Stachys inanis, Thymus cappadocicus var. cappadocicus, Tymus spathulifolius, Glaucium cappadocicus, Plantago euphratica, Reseda armena var. scabridula, Thesium stelleroides, Verbascum alyssifolium, Verbascum tunaekimii, Gladiolus hamzaoglui, Allium purpureoviride, Hyacinthella acutiloba, and Asphodeline tenuior var. puberulenta), while 43 (including Bupleurum papillosum, Ferulago pauciradiata, Peucedanum palimbioides, Cousinia bicolor, Helichrysum arenarium subsp. aucheri, Hieracium karagoellense, Jurinea cataonica, Jurinea brevicaulis, Scorzonera tomentosa, Tanacetum cadmeum subsp. orientale, Alkana megacarpa, Paracaryum cristatum subsp. cristatum, Alyssum pateri subsp. pateri, Erysimum thrysoideum subsp. thrysoideum, Arenaria acerosa, Arenaria acutisepala, Dianthus zederbaueri, Gypsophila eriocalyx, Gypsophila sphaerocephala var. cappadocica, Phryna ortegioides, Convolvulus pseudoscammonia, Pterocephalus pinardii, Astragalus pennatulus, Ebenus laguroides var. laguroides, Hedysarum candidissimum, Onobrychis fallax, Onobrychis cappadocica, Quercus petraea subsp. pinnatiloba, Hypericum uniglandulosum, Phlomis oppositiflora, Phlomis linearis, Salvia divaricata, Salvia rosifolia, Scutellaria orientalis subsp. bicolor, Papaver triniifolium, Acantholimon caesareum, Asperula stricta subsp. latibracteata, Linaria corifolia, Scrophularia libanotica subsp. armena, Iris galatica, Fritillaria crassifolia subsp. crassifolia, Bellevalia gracilis, and Scilla leepii) are relatively widely distributed. Additionally, along the route, the species Limoniopsis owerinii and Beta macrorhiza, although not endemic, were identified as rare. Of these identified species, 81 are endemic. Among the endemics, 38 are regionally restricted, including Echinophora chrysantha, Ferulago longistylis, Centaurea aucherana, Hesperis breviscapa, Physoptychis haussknechtii, Campanula yildirimlii, and Tymus spathulifolius. These species are limited to specific areas in Erzincan and Sivas, making their IUCN Red List categories "Endangered, EN." Additionally, species like Onosma erzincanica, Hedysarum yilmazunalii, Verbascum alyssifolium, and Verbascum tuna-ekimii are found only in Erzincan, specifically in the Ilıç and Kemah districts. Given their restricted distribution and limited populations, these species are categorized as "Critically Endangered, CR." Furthermore, species such as Achillea sintenisii, Achillea pseudoaleppica, Centaurea derderifolia, Centaurea huber-morathii, Cousinia sintenisii, and others, while not endemic, have limited distributions primarily in Erzincan and Sivas. Considering the areas and population status where these species occur, their IUCN Red List categories are classified as "Vulnerable, VU." ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 255 / 467 The species Limoniopsis owerinii and Beta macrorhiza, while not endemic, have rare distributions and are found only in Erzincan, warranting their national IUCN Red List category as "Vulnerable, VU." Species with relatively wide distributions in the project area, such as Phryna ortegioides, Astragalus pennatulus, Hedysarum candidissimum, Hypericum uniglandulosum, Scrophularia libanotica subsp. armena, and Scilla leepii, are found in Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri, Erzurum, and Elazığ. Consequently, their IUCN Red List categories are "Near Threatened, NT." Species with broad distributions across the country, such as Bupleurum papillosum, Ferulago pauciradiata, Peucedanum palimbioides, and others, are categorized as "Least Concern, LC" due to their relatively wide distributions. Images of locally and regionally endemic species, as well as non-endemic but rare species identified in the project area, are given below. The list of local, regional endemic and rare species is given in Table 85. Figure 60. Campanula munzurensis (IUCN: VU) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 256 / 467 Figure 61. Plantago euphratica (IUCN: VU) Figure 62. Centaurea derderifolia (IUCN: VU) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 257 / 467 Figure 63. Echinophora chrysantha (IUCN: EN) Figure 64. Tchihatchewia isatidea (basal leaf) (IUCN: VU) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 258 / 467 Figure 65. Silene nerimaniae (IUCN: VU) Figure 66. Physoptychis haussknechtii (IUCN: EN) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 259 / 467 Figure 67. Verbascum alyssifolium (IUCN: CR) Figure 68. Verbascum alyssifolium (IUCN: CR) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 266 / 467 Figure 81. Asphodeline tenuior var. puberulenta (IUCN: VU) Figure 82. Centaurea aucherana (IUCN: EN) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 267 / 467 Figure 83. Cousinia sintenisii (IUCN: VU) Figure 84. Hyacinthella acutiloba (IUCN: VU) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 268 / 467 Figure 85. Limoniopsis owerinii (IUCN: VU) Figure 86. Origanum haussknechtii (IUCN: VU) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 269 / 467 Figure 87. Reseda armena var. scabridula (IUCN: VU) Figure 88. Verbascum tunae-ekimii (IUCN: CR) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 270 / 467 Figure 89. Gladiolus hamzaoglui (IUCN: VU) Figure 90. Hedysarum yilmazunalii (IUCN: CR) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 271 / 467 Table 85. High Conservation Concern Flora Species of the Biodiversity Study Area Species Turkish Name RDB Coordinates Survey Location Onosma erzincanica Erzincan emzikotu CR 37S 527389-4388047 Loc 12 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Hedysarum yilmazunalii Erzincan batalağı CR 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Verbascum alyssifolium Kuduzkuyruk CR 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Verbascum tuna-ekimii Ekim sığırkuyruğu CR 37S 525934-4386912 Loc 11 37S 532694-4386927 Loc 10 37S 495420-4381360 Loc 5 Echinophora chrysantha Yıldız çördüğü EN 37S 525934-4386912 Loc 11 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Ferulago longistylis Dişi kişniş EN 37S 572872-4384096 Loc 15 37S 578685-4381964 Loc 17 Centaurea aucheirana Çeşit tülübaş EN 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Hesperis breviscapa Yayla akşamyıldızı EN 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Physoptychis haussknechtii Gezertere EN 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Campanula yildirimlii Yiğit çıngırağı EN 37S 456608-4366613 Loc 26 Tymus spathulifolius Kaşık kekiği EN 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Achillea sintenisii Kuruçay perçemi VU 37S 421801-4365156 Loc 1 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Achillea pseudoaleppica Harput perçemi VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 Centaurea derderifolia Bağ sarıbaşı VU 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 Centaurea huber-morathii Ayaklı tülübaş VU 37S 636074-4422532 Loc 19 Cousinia sintenisii Bayırkızanı VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 37S 532701-4391459 Loc 13 Scorzonera aucherana Buz tekesakalı VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Tanacetum heterotomum Soluk pireotu VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 37S 636074-4422532 Loc 19 Isatis sivasica Sivas çivitotu VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Tchihatchewia isatidea Allıgelin VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Campanula munzurensis Munzurçanı VU 37S 512453-4384331 Loc 8 Gypsophila heteropoda subsp. minutiflora Cüce karşani VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Gypsophila aucheri Çöven VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 37 S 521365-4387222 Loc 9 37 S 532694-4386927 Loc 10 37 S 525934-4386912 Loc 11 37 S 577026-4382383 Loc 16 37 S 578685-4381964 Loc 17 Silene nerimaniae Sultan nakılı VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Ebenus macrophylla Ulugeven VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Paronychia arabica subsp. euphratica Fırat etyaranı VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Origanum haussknechtii Dağ mercanı VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina Fırat şalbası VU 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 272 / 467 Species Turkish Name RDB Coordinates Survey Location 37 S 495420-4381360 Loc 5 37 S 505216-4384156 Loc 6 37 S 509127-4384210 Loc 7 37 S 512453-4384331 Loc 8 37S 532701-4391459 Loc 13 Stachys inanis Bağış çayı VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Thymus cappadocicus var. cappadocicus Taşkekiği VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Glaucium cappadocicus Boynuzlu gelincik VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Plantago euphratica Toklubaşı VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 37S 493146-4381037 Loc 4 37 S 495420-4381360 Loc 5 Reseda armena var. scabridula Hasgerdanlık VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Thesium stelleroides Anagüvelek VU 37S 467915-4371980 Loc 2 Gladiolus hamzaoglui İliç kargasoğanı VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Allium purpureoviride Renkli soğan VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Hyacinthella acutiloba Sivrisümbül VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Asphodeline tenuior var. puberulenta Tesbihcik VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 Limoniopsis owerinii Eğin kuduzotu VU 37S 456608-4366613 Loc 26 Beta macrorhiza Kızıl pancar VU 37S 492216-4380433 Loc 3 As a result of field surveys conducted on the route, a total of 81 endemic plant species have been identified in the project area, with 38 being regional endemics (such as Echinophora chrysantha, Ferulago longistylis, Achillea sintenisii, Achillea pseudoaleppica, Centaurea aucherana, Centaurea derderifolia, Centaurea huber-morathii, Cousinia sintenisii, Scorzonera aucherana, Tanacetum heterotomum, Onosma erzincanica, Hesperis breviscapa, Isatis sivasica, Physoptychis haussknechtii, Tchihatchewia isatidea, Campanula yildirimlii, Campanula munzurensis, Gypsophila heteropoda subsp. minutiflora, Gypsophila aucheri, Silene nerimaniae, Ebenus macrophylla, Hedysarum yilmazunalii, Paronychia arabica ssubsp. euphratica, Origanum haussknechtii, Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina, Stachys inanis, Thymus cappadocicus var. cappadocicus, Tymus spathulifolius, Glaucium cappadocicus, Plantago euphratica, Reseda armena var. scabridula, Thesium stelleroides, Verbascum alyssifolium, Verbascum tuna-ekimii, Gladiolus hamzaoglui, Allium purpureoviride, Hyacinthella acutiloba, and Asphodeline tenuior var. puberulenta), and 43 having a broader distribution. The endemism rate is approximately 19%. Considering that around 70% of the route is agricultural or modified land, the high endemism rate can be attributed to the critical habitats present along the route. In the project area, the IUCN categories for the local endemic species Onosma erzincanica, Hedysarum yilmazunalii, Verbascum alyssifolium, and Verbascum tuna-ekimii are classified as 'Critically Endangered, CR.' For the regional endemic species, Echinophora chrysantha, Ferulago longistylis, Centaurea aucherana, Hesperis breviscapa, Physoptychis haussknechtii, Campanula yildirimlii, and Tymus spathulifolius, they are categorized as 'Endangered, EN.' Additionally, regional endemic species such as Achillea sintenisii, Achillea pseudoaleppica, Centaurea derderifolia, Centaurea huber-morathii, Cousinia sintenisii, Scorzonera aucherana, Tanacetum heterotomum, Isatis sivasica, Tchihatchewia isatidea, Campanula munzurensis, Gypsophila heteropoda subsp. minutiflora, Gypsophila aucheri, Silene nerimaniae, Ebenus macrophylla, Paronychia arabica ssubsp. euphratica, Origanum haussknechtii, Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina, Stachys inanis, Thymus cappadocicus var. cappadocicus, Glaucium cappadocicus, Plantago euphratica, Reseda armena var. scabridula, Thesium stelleroides, Gladiolus hamzaoglui, Allium purpureoviride, Hyacinthella acutiloba, and Asphodeline tenuior var. puberulenta are categorized as 'Vulnerable, VU.' The species ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 273 / 467 Limoniopsis owerinii and Beta macrorhiza, which are not endemic but have a rare distribution, are also classified as 'Vulnerable, VU' at the national level. The population status of local and regionally distributed endemic or rare species in the project area is provided in Table 86. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 274 / 467 Table 86. The populations of local and regional endemic and rare species, the percentage of their total populations to the total population in Türkiye, and threats/suggestions Species RDB Pop. at the Area Pop. Türkiye ratio Criterion Threats/Recommendations Onosma erzincanica CR 20 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in population is anticipated. Therefore, in July, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Hedysarum yilmazunalii CR 100 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Verbascum alyssifolium CR 20 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Verbascum tuna-ekimii CR 50 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Echinophora chrysantha EN 20 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in September-October, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Ferulago longistylis EN 100 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in August-September, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Centaurea aucheirana EN 300 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Hesperis breviscapa EN 20 %0.1-0.2 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Physoptychis haussknechtii EN 20 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Campanula yildirimlii EN 20 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in August-September, seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Tymus spathulifolius EN 200 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 1 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is anticipated. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats in July-August. Achillea sintenisii VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Achillea pseudoaleppica VU 300 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Centaurea derderifolia VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Centaurea huber-morathii VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Cousinia sintenisii VU 300 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 275 / 467 Species RDB Pop. at the Area Pop. Türkiye ratio Criterion Threats/Recommendations Scorzonera aucherana VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Tanacetum heterotomum VU 100 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Isatis sivasica VU 20 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is anticipated. Therefore, in July-August, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Tchihatchewia isatidea VU 100 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is expected. Therefore, in July-August, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected and planted in suitable habitats. Campanula munzurensis VU 5 %1-2 - Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Gypsophila heteropoda subsp. minutiflora VU 300 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in June-July and planted in suitable habitats. Gypsophila aucheri VU 500 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is anticipated. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Silene nerimaniae VU 20 %1-2 - Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Ebenus macrophylla VU 50 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is expected. Therefore, the seeds of populations along the route should be collected in July-August and planted in suitable habitats. Paronychia arabica subsp. euphratica VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decrease in the population is anticipated. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Origanum haussknechtii VU 100 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, it is advisable to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina VU 500 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Stachys inanis VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Thymus cappadocicus var. cappadocicus VU 300 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Glaucium cappadocicus VU 50 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is anticipated. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Plantago euphratica VU 20 %0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is anticipated. Therefore, it is recommended to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. Reseda armena var. scabridula VU 10 ‰0.2-0.3 Criterion 2 Due to habitat loss, a decline in the population is expected to occur. Therefore, it is advisable to collect the seeds of populations along the route in July-August and plant them in suitable habitats. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 282 / 467 caprae and Sicyos angulatus, while Azolla filiculoides and Rhododendron ponticum are listed in the EPPO Observation List of Invasive alien plants and Miscanthus sinensis, listed in the EPPO Alert List, are also recorded in the Turkish flora (Arslan et al., 2015). Project biodiversity studies led by field experts did not yield any data on presence of IAS. However, given the datasets in Türkiye are still limited, and considering general risks associated with railways in terms of introduction and spread of IAS, necessary measures will be taken as per ESS6. International guidelines and best practices will be followed to avoid intentional or accidental introduction of alien or non-native species, and if introduced necessary strategies and procedures will be developed to eradicate IAS. 4.8.2 Critical Habitat Assessment 4.8.2.1 Critical Habitat Concept Critical habitat is defined as areas with high biodiversity importance or value, including: (a) Habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered or Endangered species, as listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species or equivalent national approaches; (b) Habitat of significant importance to endemic or restricted-range species; (c) Habitat supporting globally or nationally significant concentrations of migratory or congregatory species; (d) Highly threatened or unique ecosystems; and (e) Ecological functions or characteristics that are needed to maintain the viability of the biodiversity values described above in (a) to (d).Modified habitats, in the most general sense, are those that have been subject to some form of alteration, often resulting in agricultural land. Despite the fact that some modified habitats might lose all of their natural characteristics, it is still required to minimize further impacts. Natural habitats are composed of plant and/or animal species that are mostly of native origin, where human activity has not been significant enough to modify ecological functions and species composition within. In areas of natural habitat mitigation measures are required to be designed to achieve no net loss of biodiversity. Critical habitats are those that are of high biodiversity importance or value. Both natural and modified habitats may contain high biodiversity values qualifying as critical habitat. While habitat types are defined by the degree of human-induced modification, this is not necessarily an indicator of the biodiversity value of a habitat as per WB ESS6. Critical habitat criteria as put forward by WB ESS6 that forms the basis of critical habitat assessment are as follows: Criterion 1: Critically Endangered (CR) and/or Endangered (EN) species Criterion 2: Endemic or restricted-range species Criterion 3: Migratory or congregatory species Criterion 4: Highly threatened and/or unique ecosystems Criterion 5: Key evolutionary processes In areas of critical habitat, ESS6 requires the Borrower not to implement any project activities that have potential adverse impacts unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) No other viable alternatives within the region exist for development of the project in habitats of lesser biodiversity value; (b) All due process required under international obligations or national law that is a prerequisite to a country granting approval for project activities in or adjacent to a critical habitat has been complied with; ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 283 / 467 (c) The potential adverse impacts, or likelihood of such, on the habitat will not lead to measurable net reduction or negative change in those biodiversity values for which the critical habitat was designated; (d) The project is not anticipated to lead to a net reduction in the population of any Critically Endangered, Endangered, or restricted-range species, over a reasonable time period; (e) The project will not involve significant conversion or significant degradation of critical habitats. In circumstances where the project involves new or renewed forestry or agricultural plantations, it will not convert or degrade any critical habitat; (f) The project’s mitigation strategy will be designed to achieve net gains of those biodiversity values for which the critical habitat was designated; and (g) A robust and appropriately designed, long-term biodiversity monitoring and evaluation program aimed at assessing the status of the critical habitat is integrated into the Borrower’s management program. It should also be noted that Critical Habitat Assessment is independent of a project’s potential impacts on biodiversity value within its AoI or an extended area. The outcome of the Critical Habitat Assessment does not indicate a particular impact associated with project activities or requirement for a mitigation measure. Rather it provides a thorough analysis of the existing biodiversity value in a given area and informs the applicability of WB ESS6 requirements. For the project-related impacts a mitigation hierarchy is to be applied and measures are required to be defined for different phases of a project. 4.8.2.2 Critical Habitat Methodology To identify the statuses of species that have been identified based on literature data and assessed through expert judgement, besides the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species utilized to determine endangered and critically endangered species, other criteria were also used in critical habitat assessment, wherever applicable. In determining “highly threatened and unique ecosystems”, IUCN Red List categories for ecosystems were used as the main reference. Since international, even European biodiversity assessments do not always cover Turkish habitats and species, experts’ judgment was often consulted to interpret data. Since international, even European biodiversity assessment do not always cover Turkish habitats and species, experts’ judgment was often consulted to draw conclusions on the current statuses of biodiversity components. Local expert judgment was also referred to due to the fact that there are no officially established or widely accepted national evaluations on threat and conservation statuses of habitats and species in Türkiye. Criterion 1: Critical (CR) and/or Endangered (EN) Species Species threatened with global extinction and listed as Critically Endangered (CR) and Endangered (EN) on the IIUCN Red List are considered as part of Criterion 1. Critically Endangered species face an extremely high risk of extinction, while Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Quantitative data on potential critical habitat triggering species’ populations were assessed based on the Guidance Note (GN) 6 (2019) thresholds, which not only consider global conservation priorities but also nationally or regionally significant concentrations of species. Accordingly; (a) areas that support globally-important concentrations of an IUCN Red-listed EN or CR species (≥0.5% of the global population AND (≥5% reproductive units of a CR or EN species); (b) areas that support globally important concentrations of an IUCN Red-listed Vulnerable species, the loss of which would result in the change of the IUCN Red List status to EN and meet these thresholds; ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 284 / 467 (c) as appropriate, areas containing important concentrations of a nationally or regionally listed EN or CR species, trigger designation of critical habitat. In determining CR and EN species at the Biodiversity Study Area, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, European Red Lists, and the only IUCN correspondence in Türkiye; the Red Data Book of Turkish Plants have been utilized as the main references. Regional statuses of species, supported by expert judgment on species’ current population trends in Türkiye, have also been assessed. Criterion 2: Endemic and/or Restricted-Range Species The updated version of the GN 6 (2019) defines the term endemic as restricted-range, which refers to a limited extend of occurrence (EOO) as such: ▪ For terrestrial vertebrates and plants, a restricted-range species is defined as those species which have an EOO less than 50,000 km2. ▪ Form marine systems, restricted-range species are provisionally being considered those with an EOO of less than 100,000 km2. ▪ For coastal, riverine and other aquatic species in habitats that do not exceed 200 km width at any point, restricted-range is defined as having a global range less than or equal to 500 km linear geographic span. An area can be designated as critical habitat, if it holds ≥10 percent of the global population size and ≥10 reproductive units of an endemic and/or restricted-range species. Terrestrial species identified at the Biodiversity Study Area were assessed with respect to their EOOs and population sizes, based on the IUCN Red List, IUCN European assessments, and expert judgment. Criterion 3: Migratory or Congregatory Species Migratory species are defined as any species of which a significant proportion of its members cyclically and predictably move from one geographical area to another (including within the same ecosystem). Congregatory species are those, whose individuals gather in large groups on a cycle or otherwise regular and/or predictable basis according to PS6. The thresholds are as the following: (a) areas known to sustain, on a cyclical or otherwise regular basis, ≥ 1 percent of the global population of a migratory or congregatory species at any point of the species’ lifecycle. (b) areas that predictably support ≥10 percent of the global population of a species during periods of environmental stress. The significant groups of migratory and congregatory species that are potential critical habitat triggers in the area are birds. The timing of site surveys was not suitable for identification of migratory species and define their habitat use and preferences. Assessments for Criterion 3 can be made following detailed pre-construction migration surveys. These surveys include migration and breeding period surveys. Monitoring in these periods (March-October) should be performed 5 days long monthly by an Ornithologist Expert (see also Section 4.7.2). Criterion 4: Highly Threatened or Unique Ecosystems To identify highly threatened or unique ecosystems, WBG requires the Borrower to use the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) where formal assessments have been performed, and if not to use assessments using systematic methods at the national/regional level, carried out by government bodies, recognized institutions and/or other relevant qualified organizations. The thresholds are: (a) areas representing ≥5 percent of the global extent of an ecosystem type meeting the criteria for IUCN status of CR or EN. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 285 / 467 (b) other areas, not yet assessed by IUCN, but determined to be of high priority for conservation by regional or national systematic conservation planning. European Red List assessments for terrestrial habitats were used in the assessments, where legally protected and internationally recognized areas were also considered. Divriği Hills Important Nature Area (INA), Munzur Moutains INA, Esence (Keşiş Mountains) INA, Munzur Moutains Important Plant Area (IPA), Kop Mountains IPA, Sarıkamış Forests INA, Çıldır Lake INA, and Çıldır Lake IPA are within the Project route and are considered as threatened ecosystems. However, due to the Project is the modernization of the existing railway, impacts on these areas will be limited. Criterion 5: Key Evolutionary Processes Evolutionary processes are defined as structural attributes of a region, such as its topography, geology, soil, temperature, and vegetation and combinations of these variables can influence evolutionary processes that give rise to regional configurations of species and ecological properties. The significance of structural attributes in a landscape that may influence evolutionary processes are required to be determined on a case-by-case basis, and determination of habitat that triggers this criterion will rely on scientific knowledge. Examples to spatial features associated with evolutionary processes can be listed as; landscapes with high spatial heterogeneity, ecotones, edaphic interfaces, connectivity between habitats, and sites of demonstrated importance to climate change adaptation either for species or ecosystems. The Biodiversity Study Area is not associated with key evolutionary processes. Neither it hosts flora and/or fauna species that have distinct evolutionary histories with populations that show proven phylogenetic divergence from other species’ other known populations. 4.8.2.3 Critical Habitat Triggering Biodiversity Features Even though the railway route passes in protected areas, the route itself is modified habitat and the railway line is in operation for more than 60 years. The railway rehabilitation and modernization activities will be conducted within the railway corridor and for facilities where additional area will be required such as new sidings or extension of sidings will not be within these protected areas. If no project activities are conducted in these areas other than the existing railway corridor, it is expected that there will not be an impact on these critical habitats and critical habitat triggering species. The potential critical habitat triggering flora species are given in Table 86. The criterions considered are also given in table. Most of the species are regional endemic species and others are distribution restricted species. Therefore, all flora species are triggering critical habitat. The distribution of these species includes only the known areas. Also, the habitats, which were determined (see Table 83and Table 82) were evaluated according to the Criterion 4. Due to the Critical Habitat Triggering species E1.2 : Perennial calcareous grassland and basic steppes, E1.2B : Serpentine steppes, E1.2E : Irano-Anatolian steppes, E1.B : Serpantin step, G1.1: Riparian and gallery woodland, with dominant Alnus, Betula, Populus, or Salix, G1.7 : Thermophilous deciduous woodland, and H5.3 : Sparselyor un-vegetated habitats on mineral substrates not resulting from recent ice activity habitat types meets the Criterion 4. The critical habitats are represented in Figure 91. Almost all species were distributed only in Türkiye. Salvia euphratica ssp. leiocalycina has population also in New Zealand. Limoniopsis owerinii has population also in Russia. Beta macrorhiza has population also in Greece, Bulgaria, Geogia, and Russia. Therefore, the global populations of the triggering species were evaluated according to the global population sizes and precautions given in the BMP should be implemented. Due to the distribution sensitivity of these species, Criterion 1 and Criterion 2 were triggered. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 286 / 467 In determined critical habitats no project activities will be carried out and construction will be performed on the route. Outside the route near the critical habitats no actions will be performed. BMP has been prepared to define the necessary mitigation measures to avoid indirect impacts on the identified critical habitat and triggering species. Due to the Project is a modernization project, critical habitats are defined outside the railway route. For the conservation of the regional endemic and distribution restricted species, no activities will be performed in critical habitats. Due to seasonal limitations no critical habitat could be determined for fauna species. Further identification and assessment will be performed after pre-construction phase surveys, which are specified in Section 4.7.2. According to the findings, if needed, further mitigation measurements will be implemented, and the BMP will be revised/updated. Due to the Project is a modernization project, it is expected that the impacts of the Project will be limited. Potential triggering fauna species (see Table 88, Table 89, Table 90 Table 91, and Table 92) will be monitored between May and September once a month. After clarification of presence of these species critical habitat assessment will be updated. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 287 / 467 Figure 91. Critical Habitat for Flora Species ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 288 / 467 4.8.3 Ecosystem Services Review The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was initiated with the support of the UN in 2001 to assess how changes in ecosystems impact human well-being and what actions are needed to be enhanced to ensure sustainable use of ecosystems and their contribution to human life. The MA involved knowledge and expertise of over a thousand experts worldwide to publish its synthesis reports linking biodiversity to ecosystem services, as well as to human well-being and development needs. These reports, reflecting consensus view of a large body of social and natural scientists, provide a widely accepted definition and categorization of ecosystem services (MA, 2005). ESS6 also recognize the importance of maintaining benefits that people, including businesses, derive from ecosystems. ESS1 defines ecosystem services as “the benefits that people drive from ecosystems”. Project development must therefore be balanced and the potential for utilizing the multiple economic, social and cultural values of biodiversity and living natural resources should be assessed in an optimized manner. Ecosystem services are organized into four types: (a) provisioning services, which are the products people obtain from ecosystems and which may include food, freshwater, timbers, fibers, medicinal plants; (b) regulating services, which are the benefits people obtain from the regulation of ecosystem processes and which may include surface water purification, carbon storage and sequestration, climate regulation, protection from natural hazards; (c) cultural services, which are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems and which may include natural areas that are sacred sites and areas of importance for recreations and aesthetic enjoyment; and (d) supporting services, which are the natural processes that maintain the other services and which may include soil formation, nutrient cycling, and primary production. In line with the provisions of the ESS1, interaction of the Project with ecosystem services and benefits derived from ecosystem services are assessed in this section of the ESIA biodiversity studies. In addition to biodiversity studies, socio-economic findings of the ESIA which are detailed in Socio-Economic Environment Section, have also been used. Guidelines developed by the WRI provide a useful tool to incorporate evaluation of ecosystem services into the Project ESIA studies. The first step in the Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) is identifying ecosystem services based on the following criteria: ▪ Impact: Direct impact on a particular ecosystem service caused by project activities that also impacts the community ▪ Dependence: Project’s dependence on the ecosystem service for its operations ▪ Relevance to Affected Community: Ways in which livelihood, health, safety or culture of a community will be impacted ▪ Management Control: The project’s control over the ecosystem service in question Potential ecosystem services identified for this project are defined below: a) Provisioning services (goods provided): • Agricultural lands and orchards provide essential services for both nourishment and livelihoods. • Plants in wetlands, steppe, and grassland habitats serve as feeding areas for large and small livestock, as well as breeding grounds for birds, reptiles, and mammals. • Serpentine and gypsum steppe habitats, besides serving as a gene pool, are crucial for livestock. • Flowing and stagnant water sources supply water to wildlife and are used for irrigation in agricultural areas. Additionally, these water sources regulate the regional water regime. b) Regulating services (ecological functions): ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 289 / 467 • Through plant cover and trees, oxygen essential for human survival is produced by utilizing carbon dioxide. • Plant cover contributes to controlling erosion and preventing water inundations. • Plant cover helps water infiltrate into the subsoil, reducing surface runoff and minimizing sediment transport to lakes and seas. c) Cultural services (non-material benefits to humans): • Natural habitats play a crucial role in sustaining the habitat of critical species. These ecosystem services play a vital role in supporting human well-being and sustaining biodiversity and the Project will not have an impact on these ecosystem services. 4.9 Impact Assessment Habitat loss and fragmentation due to linear structures like railways and highways have been identified as the most significant impacts on biodiversity through studies conducted globally. Although railway emissions and land use required by the infrastructure is lower than that of other means of transport, it is required that railways are evaluated based on their own properties and their site-specific impacts on biodiversity are assessed thoroughly. In this section of the ESIA Report, potential impacts of the Project on biodiversity, the framework for the mitigation hierarchy implemented in line with ESS6 to reach “no net loss-net gain”, and lastly sensitivity criteria developed for biodiversity receptors that are subject to the site-specific impact assessment. Potential impacts of the Project that are addressed in impact assessment can be listed under the following three main headings: 1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation – Barrier Effect: Loss of feeding, breeding, nesting areas, differentiation in animal behavior, changes in population genetics, formation of ecological traps and passages for invasive alien species 2. Animal Mortality: Collision, electrocution, wire strikes and rail entrapment 3. Environmental Impacts: Noise and vibration, air emissions, soil pollution, water pollution, soil erosion and changes in the hydraulic structure 4.9.1 Land Preparation and Construction Phase The most significant impact of the Project on biodiversity during its land preparation and construction phase will be habitat loss and fragmentation, and the barrier effect the two impacts bring about. Populations of flora species will be directly impacted, while fauna species’ habitat use capabilities will be reduced. When distribution of a particular population is divided by a railway, part of the habitat is lost, and the rest might be destructed. The small isolated patches that are formed as a result of fragmentation may not have sufficient capacity to maintain viable populations. Activities to be realized during the land preparation and construction phase may present physical barriers limiting animals’ movement between areas where they feed and have access to water, and their breeding sites. Given that biodiversity field for the ESIA was undertaken in winter, on-site data do not provide adequate information to provide an understanding on the fauna composition of the area. Mitigation measures proposed at this stage are targeted at flora species, which were identified during field surveys and targeted fauna species according to literature records. Prior to the onset of land preparation and construction phase, additional field surveys will be conducted during appropriate seasons for fauna species and habitats (Spring-Summer) to further detail potential impacts and also develop site and species-specific measures. These pre-construction surveys are specified in Section 4.7.2. For this purpose, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 290 / 467 mammal species will be further identified before construction phase and necessary mitigations will be implemented. WBG Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Railways (2007), proposes the following measures to be implemented to minimize impacts of new railway construction on biodiversity: ▪ Avoid fragmentation or destruction of critical habitats; ▪ When rail crossings of watercourses are unavoidable, maintain water flow and fish access by utilizing appropriate methods; ▪ Minimize the clearing of riparian vegetation during construction; ▪ Avoid construction activities during the breeding season and other sensitive seasons or times of day, especially where critically endangered or endangered species are concerned; and ▪ Avoid the introduction of invasive species during reinstatement activities, preferably through the use of native plant species. Potential environmental impacts associated with the land preparation and construction phase of the Project, might also disturb flora and fauna species, based on the magnitude of impacts and sensitivity of the biodiversity receptors. Mitigation measures to be taken to minimize impacts on air, soil and water quality and regarding control of noise and vibration are provided in the related chapters of this ESIA Report. Principles and implementation strategies with respect to control and management of environmental impacts that have been developed in line with the national legislation, and international standards and guidelines are provided both for land preparation and construction, and operation phases of the Project as part of the ESMP. Given that the project is a rehabilitation and modernization effort, it is essential to recognize that while critical impacts may be minimized, they cannot be entirely ruled out. The project will traverse protected areas, internationally recognized areas of high biodiversity value, and critical and natural habitats that are home to flora and fauna species of high conservation concern. According to the Environmental and Social Standard 6 (ESS6), these areas and species require stringent conservation efforts. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the project's environmental implications, a clear and systematic impact assessment is required. Therefore, Section 4.7.2 defines the preconstruction surveys for fauna species, which has to be performed to further identify triggering species and critical habitats. Critical habitats, which were defined after flora surveys, are not located within the railway route and therefore will not be affected due to the Project. However, for the conservation of these species (see Table 85) seeds will be collected and seeds will be delivered to the Türkiye Gene Bank. These surveys will be performed with a Botanist Specialist. The identification of nesting areas and consideration of breeding seasons are crucial steps in preventing direct mortality and conserving future generations of species. These efforts should be explicitly linked to the specific species of concern, with a detailed analysis of how the project might impact them. Potential impacts should be evaluated for their significance, and mitigation measures must be well-defined and targeted to address these impacts effectively after preconstruction surveys. Pre-construction surveys play a critical role in identifying the species that could be impacted by habitat fragmentation. Therefore, the BMP should be updated after these surveys, which should yield more than just a list of species; they should also assess the significance of the fragmentation impacts and inform the development of species-specific strategies within the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). The project must engage stakeholders robustly to identify passages that will also serve human and cattle needs while providing safe passage for wildlife. This is conducted within the framework of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 291 / 467 4.9.2 Operation Phase Although the most significant impacts of railways are noted as habitat loss and fragmentation, the newly formed sets around the routes passing through different habitats form important green corridors. Vegetation management constitutes an integral part of railway operation and maintenance. It is important not only in terms of fire control, visibility, falling trees and leaves, but also for maintaining biodiversity. Railway corridors can provide opportunities for flora and fauna species that are already under the pressure of urbanization, through newly formed habitats and interactions between these corridors and adjacent habitats (Borda-de-Agua et al., 2017). Since the project is a rehabilitation project a direct habitat fragmentation will not occur. Regular maintenance of vegetation along rights-of-way may involve the use mechanical and manual methods, as well as herbicides. Vegetation maintenance beyond that which is necessary for safety, may remove unnecessary amounts of vegetation, resulting in loss of successional species and an increased risk of invasive species (WBG, 2007). WBG (2007) recommends the following measures to be taken to prevent and control impacts from right-of-way vegetation maintenance: ▪ Within the scope of an integrated vegetation management, o the track areas should be kept completely clear of vegetation, and o from the edge of the track area to the boundary of the right-of-way, vegetation should be structured with smaller plants near the line and larger trees further away from the line to provide habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals, ▪ Native species should be planted, and invasive plant species removed, ▪ Railways should be designed and maintained to discourage plant growth in the track area (e.g. providing lateral barriers to plant migration and ensuring rapid drainage of the track area), ▪ Biological, mechanical, and thermal vegetation control measures should be used where practical, and use of chemical herbicides on the bank beyond the transition area should be avoided (approx. 5 meters from the track), ▪ Maintenance clearing in riparian areas should be avoided or minimized. In line with the WBG EHSG for Railways, herbicides for the Project will be used following the manual on pesticides prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Accordingly, necessary trainings should be provided to the Project personnel both on use of herbicides, and also on biodiversity features in the area. The barrier effect of the railways that start off during the land preparation and construction phase, continues through the operation and maintenance phases. Although limited when compared to impacts of highways, animal mortality due to collision, electrocution, wire strikes and rail embankment are the most obvious impacts of operation-phase impacts (Dorsey et al., 2015). Collision is a significant risk factor for mammals and birds, while smaller animals have been reported to die due to embankment (Budzic and Budzic, 2014). For those animals that approach the railways to use the newly formed habitats, it is possible to lower the mortality risk by taking measures to limit their passages. Fencing, sound signals/barriers, chemical repellents, lights and reflectors, and physical barriers such as trees and noise barriers, can be effective in lowering mortality rates. These measures, however, also carry the risk of increasing the barrier effect. To prevent such measures to enhance the barrier effect, physical barriers and fences should not be placed randomly along the right-of-way. Instead, appropriate locations where collision risk is higher should be determined prior to construction. When fencing is used, it is also crucial to provide escapes. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 298 / 467 ▪ 2nd Social Impact Area, 0-5 km buffer, Secondary Social Impact Area, Indirect impacts of the Project. Center of the social impact area is the railway line. This social impact area includes the settlements around the railway line, which are located within the 0 - 5 km corridor. 4.11.2.2 Identification of Stakeholders Stakeholders are identified in four steps according to the social impact areas. These steps are as follows. Details of these identification are given in project-specific SEP document. ▪ Step 1: Project Affected Parties (PAP), and Disadvantaged / Vulnerable Individuals or Groups (DVIGs): Individuals or groups directly affected by the project. In this project, directly affected PAPs are employee of the stations, personnel of the trains, local people around the settlements, and local representatives of these settlements, and passengers respectively. They are stated within the 1st social impact area. For this project, vulnerable groups, according to ESS10, have been defined based on characteristics that could be subject to limitations such as access to project-related information, participation in consultations, and access to announcements. Therefore, non-Turkish-speaking groups, the elderly, elderly women who are heads of households living alone, illiterates, and people with disabilities are among the vulnerable groups for this project. Data on DVIGs has mostly been collected through studies in Step 1 and Step 2. ▪ Step 2: PAPs: Individuals or groups indirectly affected by the project. In this project, indirectly affected PAPs are local people around the railway line, and local representatives of these settlements, respectively. They are stated within the 2nd social impact area. Information on DVIGs has also been obtained here. ▪ Step 3: Other Interested Parties (OIP): Local and regional institutions who may be interested in the project. In this project these are stated in the centers of districts and provinces. ▪ Step 4: At this Step, it is aimed to reach out to stakeholders expected to be more significantly affected than others by the anticipated adverse impacts of the project, including students, youth, women, and groups with different ethnic-cultural backgrounds. These stakeholders, along with groups dependent on livelihood sources such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, have also been included in the study to assess the impacts of the project on these activities. The distribution of these stakeholders according to social impact areas and their descriptions are provided below: ▪ 1st Social Impact Area o Step 1: Directly affected PAPs ▪ 1) Employee of the Stations, and personnel of the trains ▪ 2) Local people living in the settlements around the station and passengers ▪ 3) Local administrators (mukhtars) of the settlements which are located around the stations. ▪ 4) DVIGs; Information has also been collected regarding non-Turkishspeaking individuals, elderly individuals, elderly women who are heads of households living alone, illiterates, and disabled individuals, all of whom are considered vulnerable according to ESS10. ▪ 2nd Social Impact Area o Step 2: Indirectly affected PAPs ▪ 1) Local people living in the settlements around the railway line ▪ 2) Local administrators (mukhtars) of the settlements which are located around the railway line. ▪ 3) DVIGs ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 299 / 467 o Step 3: Local and regional governmental institutions as OIPs ▪ 1) Local institutions ▪ 2) Regional institutions o Step 4: Expected to be more significantly affected than others by the anticipated adverse impacts of the project ▪ 1) Youth ▪ 2) Students ▪ 3) Female ▪ 4) Female workers ▪ 5) Alevis ▪ 6) Meskhetian Turks ▪ 7) Farmers ▪ 8) People engaged in livestock and grazing ▪ 9) Fishermen 4.11.2.2.1 Step 1: Directly affected PAPs 4.11.2.2.1.1Employee of the Stations All stations accessible within the project scope have been visited, and interviews have been conducted at all stations excluding unmanned facilities. Additionally, those unmanned facilities that are accessible have also been included in the study. Details about the research are provided with Appendix-9 and Table 102. The key informants given as "railway employees" mostly consist of station chiefs, movement officers, and train composition workers. All station chiefs and train composition workers are male, but some of the interviewed movement officers are female. The remaining participants are managers who are unit and branch responsible in the main stations, Erzincan, Erzurum, and Kars. The field notes, mostly presented through direct quotation methods, have been provided under the "Finding and Observation" subtitle for the regions of Ardahan, Kars, Erzurum, Erzincan Tunceli, and Sivas. They have been presented in tables along with photographs on a stationby-station basis. The data extracted from the relevant sections of these tables have been utilized for social impact assessment and mitigation measures. The data collected during the fieldwork primarily consists of notes taken by a social specialist during in-depth interviews and photographs taken in the field. These data have been reported in accordance with E&S standards. Among the visited facilities, 11 have both male and female employees. In 6 out of the 11 conducted interviews, women also participated. In facilities where there are female employees but interviews with them could not be conducted (Topdağı, Süngütaşı, and Çaltı), the female employees are on a shift change day. In Erzincan and Erzurum Stations, where there are female employees, no women participated in the interviews. The Selim station (Kars Province, Selim District) has staff, an interview with an employee could not be conducted because the staff member was not present at the time the fieldwork was carried out. Although there are no abandoned stations, there are units located between stations with no station building or personnel. The first of these is Benliahmet (11th row of Table 102) , and the other is Geçit station (40th row of Table 102). In the preliminary interviews, it was found that some units had stations but no station buildings or personnel. Stations Soğanlı (17th row of Table 102), Erbaş (35th row of Table 102), and Güllübağ (48th row of Table 101), could not be visited due to difficulties in road access. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 300 / 467 Additional Studies for 1st Phase of Social Survey ▪ Areas visited despite not being within the project scope (Six Units): Some strategic areas that are not within the project scope, such as the Aşit station, have also been included in the social research. The first of these is the Kars Logistics Center (5th row of Table 102), which was visited on 17.10.2023. The Aşit station (15th row of Table 102) was visited on 17.10.2023, and general information about the tunnel structures in the area was collected, too. During stakeholder meetings in 3 areas, visits were made based on recommendations of key informants, who were responsible on Kars Main Station. They emphasized to potential implementation risk related to intersection between the railway line and highway. These locations are listed as the following: (1) BTK Junction, 2) Kars Main Station - BTK Junction and 3) Kars Central - Highways Overpass). The BTK junction, where the Kars station intersects with the BTK line, and the sections where the train line intersects with the main road in Kars were also observed on-site on 30.10.2023 to understand the train movements in the area. For these locations, similar to the Aşit tunnel, field visits were conducted together with the officials working at the Kars station. The information provided in Table 124 was obtained through these officials. Rows 7, 8, and 9 of Table 102 summarize these unit visits. Another station visited despite being out of scope is Çatak (13th row on Table 102) This unit was visited to provide information about the general conditions of the units not covered within the scope. However, as seen in Table 128, almost no relationship could be identified between the station and the nearby area. Although the Aşit (15th row on Table 102) station is out of the project scope, the Aşit tunnel was visited on 17.10.2023, and general information about the tunnel structures in the area was collected. Thus, the number of units planned for interviews was increased from 29 to 35. ▪ Areas visited despite not being within the methodology scope (3 units): As previously mentioned, stations with personnel were included in the coverage, and this number was determined to be 29, as stated above. However, despite the lack of possibility of conducting interviews, some stations were still visited. Under these conditions, the number of units visited is 3. Rows 10 (Dikme), 22 (Karaçuha), and 38 (Altınkent) of Table 102 belong to these unit visits. Thus, the number of units planned for interviews has increased from 35 to 38. The list of stations covered by the field study, details of which are provided in Appendix-9 is given in Table 102. 4.11.2.2.1.2Local people living in the settlements around the station An online questionnaire was used for the household survey. During the fieldwork, data that could be tracked online were directly analyzed by the system, and outputs were obtained through graphs and tables. A total of 384 household questionnaires were successfully implemented, but one of them was canceled due to data quality issues, resulting in 383 household surveys being analyzed. For detailed information about the applied surveys please refer to Table 95 and Table 96 under section 4.11.2.3 Research Methods. According to the analysis results of online household survey questionnaire, 256 male and 127 female respondents were interviewed as household representatives. Of these, 358 are between the ages of 15 and 64 (working age group), while 25 are aged 65 and older (elderly). At the beginning of the study, the list provided in Table 9 was taken into consideration. This list contains 49 units. Eight of these units (Divriği, Karasu, Palandöken, Topdağı, Sayding, Aşit, Çatak, and Hudut) were not included in the study because they were not within the scope of ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 301 / 467 the project. Thus, the study aimed to focus on 41 units. Accordingly, settlements in and around the Erzincan İliç district, where a mining accident occurred recently, have not been included in the household survey. The units excluded from the household survey list are, according to kilometer information, Çaltı (804+599 km), Bağıştaş (821+802 km), and İliç (832+434 km). For the remaining 38 units, referred to as "stations" from here on, a research universe consisting of a total of 48 settlements, including the settlement(s) where the unit is located and located within the 500 m buffer, has been created. The sampling method within the research universe are detailed under the heading 4.11.2.4 Sampling in the study. To summarize results of the sampling, settlements have been selected which has distance to the relevant station between 0 to 500 m. While some stations are surrounded by a single settlement, other stations intersect with multiple settlements. Therefore, 48 settlements have been included in the study for 38 stations. The detailed numbers for settlements within the 0500 m corridor adjacent to the stations are as follows: Altınbaşak station is adjacent to 6 settlements. Mercan station is connected to 2 settlements, while Çadırkaya station is linked with 3 settlements. Aşkale station is neighboring 2 settlements, and Canbaz station also shares borders with 2 settlements. There is a different situation for Erzurum Main station which is located in Yakutiye district (in other words central district). The station intersects with 12 different settlements. Among them, Ömer Nasuhi Bilmen neighborhood is the most populous area of the Yakutiye district. Therefore, during the sampling studies, this settlement around the station was taken as a reference. However, since Erzurum is the only metropolitan city in the region, the studies were not only conducted in Ömer Nasuhi Bilmen neighborhood but also in densely populated areas in the city center and around the train station. Total population of the settlements, which are listed in Table 97, is 72,413 with 21,619 households. The sampling has been calculated as 384. 383 of them were successfully completed. Please refer to 4.11.2.4 Sampling to examine the used sampling methodology. 4.11.2.2.1.3Mukhtars of the settlements which are located around the stations Similar to the household survey, a distinct online questionnaire was designed for interviews with mukhtars, and the system analyzed the data instantly using graphs and tables. Mukhtar survey questionnaire was used jointly for both the mukhtars of settlements around the stations and the mukhtars of settlements around the railway line. All contacted mukhtars were male. Age information was not requested from the mukhtars as it was not relevant for the analysis. One of the 48 mukhtars around the stations could not be reached, and four refused to participate for various reasons (see 4.11.2.5 Limitations). The list of the 43 successful interviews is provided below Table 98. Site visit photographs and schedule belong to 2nd phase of social research are given via Appendix-11. In addition to specific to a station (Uzunahmet), interviews were conducted with the mukhtar and villagers in the settlement during the 1st phase of the social survey. All the local representatives of these 48 settlements have been included to the 2nd phase of the social research. In other words, there is no sampling methodology for the mukhtar interviews. A full census was planned for mukhtars of the settlements located in 0-500 m buffer. It was also planned to conduct face-to-face interviews with the each mukhtar of these 48 settlements, which are detailed under the previous subheading, and also listed in Table 97. However 5 of the interviews could not be realized for several reasons (see 4.11.2.5 Limitations). Detail of these mukhtar interviews is given in Table 98. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 302 / 467 4.11.2.2.2 Step 2: Indirectly affected PAPs It was planned to conduct face-to-face interviews with the headmen (or mukhtar) of the 48 settlements included in the household survey during the fieldwork. Additionally, a total of 185 settlements located along the railway route but not directly around the stations were identified. These settlements were assessed based on their proximity to the railway line, and a total of 144 settlements within a 5 km buffer were identified. Thus, a total of 192 local administrator interviews were designed, including 48 face-to-face interviews and 144 phone interviews. As a summary, for settlements along the railway line, a mukhtar survey involving local administrators' participation and conducted via phone interviews was designed. 28 mukhtars refused to participate for various reasons, and access could not be established with 19 mukhtar for different reasons (see 4.11.2.5 Limitations). Therefore, out of the planned 144 interviews, 97 were successfully completed. The list of completed mukhtars interviews is provided via Table 98 and Table 99. 4.11.2.2.3 Step 3: Other Interested Parties The project route encompasses a total of six (6) provinces, and 22 districts. During the planning of stakeholder consultations, institutions and organizations operating in areas such as local government (municipality, metropolitan municipality, district governorship), development, trade, education, health, agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry, located primarily in provincial and district centers, have been considered among the groups that may be interested in the project. Local and regional institutions may be interested in the project. In this project these are located in the centers of districts and provinces. All of the following institutions in provincial and district centers have participated in stakeholder consultations (see Table 100). Site visit photographs and schedule belong to 2nd phase of social research are given via Appendix-11. 4.11.2.2.4 Step 4: Sensitive Groups During this phase, the goal is to engage with stakeholders who are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the expected negative consequences of the project. This includes students, young people, women, and communities representing various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the study incorporates groups reliant on livelihoods such as farming, animal husbandry, and fishing to evaluate how the project might affect these activities. The list of focus group meetings held is provided below (see Table 101) Site visit photographs and schedule belong to 2nd phase of social research are given via Appendix-11. 4.11.2.2.5 Vulnerable Groups In accordance with ESS10, this project defines vulnerable groups based on characteristics that might limit their access to project-related information, participation in consultations, and access to announcements. Consequently, non-Turkish-speaking individuals, the elderly, elderly women who are heads of households living alone, illiterates, and people with disabilities are identified as vulnerable groups for this project. Most data on these Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Individuals and Groups have been gathered during Step 1 and Step 2 of the studies. ▪ Non-Turkish speaker people: 28% of all households. In light of the results, it is observed that languages other than Turkish are spoken in 63 settlements (45%), with some settlements having more than one language spoken other than Turkish. The languages reflected in the records, based on intensity, include Kurdish, Zazaki, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 303 / 467 Azerbaijani, Laz, and Arabic. In terms of language diversity, the most heterogeneous region is Erzincan (please refer to 4.12.9) ▪ Elderly people: Within the scope of household survey, the distribution of the population by age groups is as follows: 318 individuals are in the 0-14 age group (children), 1,176 individuals are in the 15-64 age group (working age), and 128 individuals are aged 65 and above (elderly). The overall ratio of elderly individuals is 8% (please refer to 4.12.1) ▪ Disabled people: In the household survey, out of a total of 1,622 individuals, 43 disabled individuals are mentioned. In the mukhtar interviews, the number of disabled individuals is approximately 978. In settlements around the station, the percentage of households with disabled individuals is 72%, while around the railway, this percentage goes up to 80% (please refer to 4.12.4) Site visit photographs and schedule belong to 2nd phase of social research are given via Appendix-11 Schedule of the Social Research 4.11.2.3 Research Methods Two separate social research studies were conducted to assess the project's social impact. During the first phase of social research only the stations were visited. The information obtained from these station visits was used to design the second phase of the social research. Prior to the first phase, a one-day preliminary field visit was conducted on 17.10.2023. In the first phase, social research was carried out exclusively for station employees, starting on date 30.10.2023 and concluding on date 03.11.2024. In the second phase, social research was conducted for all stakeholders. Please refer to Table 95 for the dates of the second phase of social research. Table 95. Phase of Social Research Phase of Social Research Scope Date Preliminary site visit To visit Kars Logistic Centre, Kars Main Station, Sarıkamış Station, Aşit Tunnel, Güvercin Station and Canbaz Station 07.10.2023 First Phase In depth interviews with employee of the stations 30.10.202303.11.2023 Second Phase Household Survey within the primary social impact area. This study also aims to collect information on DVIGs. 20.03.202428.03.2024 Semi structured Stakeholder (OIPs) Interviews within the centers of districts and provinces 20.03.202428.03.2024 Focus Group Discussions have been conducted with individuals or groups expected to be more significantly affected than others by the anticipated adverse impacts of the project. 20.03.202428.03.2024 Face to face mukhtar survey within the primary social impact area. DVIGs also included to the scope of the survey. 20.03.202428.03.2024 Remote mukhtar survey within the secondary social impact area. DVIGs also included to the scope of the survey. 15.03.202427.04.2024 In this study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used within scope of the social research. Quantitative research methods were used only in the second phase of the study, while qualitative research methods were employed in both phases. Implemented research techniques are given the following subheading. The applied techniques identified in accordance with the research method are listed in below: ▪ Qualitative Research Methods o In-Depth Interviews were utilized in face-to-face interviews conducted with station employees during the first phase of the study. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 304 / 467 o Focus Group Discussions have been conducted with individuals or groups expected to be more significantly affected than others by the anticipated adverse impacts of the project. o Semi structured Interviews were primarily used in face-to-face interactions with OIPs of the Project. ▪ Quantitative Research Methods o Household questionnaires were conducted face-to-face as part of the Household Survey. o Mukhtar questionnaires were conducted as part of both face-to-face Mukhtar interviews and remote Mukhtar interviews. Household survey and mukhtar survey overlap in scope. While the household survey focuses on individuals, the mukhtar survey assesses the overall condition of the settlement. Both survey forms aim to gather information about DVIGs. As an additional note; questions related to land and housing in the household questionnaire were asked for the 500-meter corridor, too. Even for settlements within 0-5 km, questions regarding land and housing were asked for the 500-meter corridor, regardless of whether the center of the settlement was within a maximum of 5 km distance. During fieldwork, a household survey, mukhtar survey, stakeholder survey, and focus group meetings were conducted by a team of 6 sociologists. Operating as two separate teams, one part of the field team conducted stakeholder meetings and focus group discussions in city and district centers, while the other team simultaneously conducted the mukhtar interviews and household survey. Additionally, two sociologists, separate from the team, conducted the mukhtar interviews via phone calls both before and after the fieldwork, concurrently with the fieldwork. The names and roles of the sociologists in the team are as follows (see Table 96). Table 96. Social Team Composition Staff Responsibility Title Gender Phase of Social Research 1 Özge Çelik Social Research Team Leader Social Specialist Female All phases 2 Sıla Tonbul Field Survey Team Leader Social Specialist Female Second Phase 3 Figen Can Household Survey Team Leader Sociologist Female Second Phase 4 Taylan Özgür Öz Stakeholder Interviewer Sociologist Male Second Phase 5 Öznur Baysal Conductor of Focus Group Discussion Sociologist Female Second Phase 6 Melek Efe Interviewer Sociologist Female Second Phase 7 Havva Hande Günoğlu Interviewer Sociology undergraduate student on thesis period Female Second Phase 8 Didem Aslı Dönmez Conductor of remote mukhtar survey Sociologist Female Second Phase 4.11.2.4 Sampling The sampling technique is used as calculating the sample size for a proportion in a finite population. The components and explanations of the formula are given in following: n = required sample size N = total number of households. In here 21,619 Z = z-score corresponding to the desired confidence level (e.g., 1.96 for a 95% confidence level) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 305 / 467 p = estimated proportion of households with a particular characteristic (use 0.5 for maximum variability if the exact proportion is unknown) e = desired margin of error (expressed as a proportion) 𝑛 = 𝑁. 𝑍2. 𝑝(𝑝 − 1) (𝑁 − 1)𝑒2+ 𝑍2. 𝑝(𝑝 − 1) The average household size and total number of households are provided at the district level, but it is not possible to access this data at the village and neighborhood level. Therefore, the average household size for each settlement has been estimated by extrapolating from districtlevel data. The total population of the 48 settlements within 0-500 meters of the 38 stations is 72,413. Using the average household size in the district, the total number of households is estimated to be 21,619. When this value (N=21,619) is applied in the formula, the sample size is calculated to be approximately between 384 and 386. To address the issue of areas with low population counts having a sample size of 0, adjustments were made by reallocating samples from high-population areas to low-population areas without changing the overall sample size. The details of the procedures described in this paragraph can be reviewed through Table 97. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 306 / 467 Table 97. Settlements around the stations and sampling size Province District Settlement Station Population (2024) Average Household Size of the District (2024) Number of Households %of total number of households Distribution within sampling Number of completed household questionnaire 1 Sivas Divriği Gezey Dazlak 18 3.14 6 0 2 0 2 Sivas Divriği Güllübağ Güllübağ 771 3.14 246 1 4 5 3 Erzincan Kemah Eriç Eriç 40 2.16 19 0 2 2 4 Erzincan Kemah Çarşı Kemah 1,106 2.16 512 2 9 11 5 Erzincan Kemah Alpköy Alp 67 2.16 31 0 2 1 6 Erzincan Kemah Akyünlü Dumanlı 39 2.16 18 0 2 0 7 Erzincan Central Çarşı Erzincan 2,512 2.92 860 4 15 16 8 Erzincan Üzümlü Büyük Kadağan Altınbaşak 134 3 45 0 2 2 9 Erzincan Üzümlü Fırat Altınbaşak 225 3 75 0 2 2 10 Erzincan Üzümlü İstasyon Altınbaşak 276 3 92 0 2 2 11 Erzincan Üzümlü Küçük Kadağan Altınbaşak 242 3 81 0 2 2 12 Erzincan Üzümlü Pınarbaşı Altınbaşak 514 3 171 1 2 2 13 Erzincan Üzümlü Süleymanlı Altınbaşak 425 3 142 1 2 2 14 Erzincan Üzümlü Avcılar Tanyeri 142 3 47 0 2 2 15 Tunceli Pülümür Yarbaşı Geçit 48 2.33 21 0 2 0 16 Erzincan Üzümlü Bağlar Demirkapı 84 3 28 0 2 1 17 Erzincan Tercan Kargın Altınkent 2,131 3.06 696 3 4 3 18 Erzincan Tercan Akşemsettin Mercan 651 3.06 213 1 3 4 19 Erzincan Tercan Atatürk Mercan 2,443 3.06 798 4 5 5 20 Erzincan Tercan Camiikebir Çadırkaya 692 3.06 226 1 3 3 21 Erzincan Tercan Gözeler Çadırkaya 424 3.06 139 1 3 0 22 Erzincan Tercan Yeni Çadırkaya 541 3.06 177 1 3 0 23 Erzincan Çayırlı Çataksu Erbaş 165 2.99 55 0 2 1 24 Erzurum Aşkale Saptıran Saptıran 148 3.36 44 0 2 3 25 Erzurum Aşkale Üç Mart Aşkale 483 3.36 144 1 3 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 307 / 467 Province District Settlement Station Population (2024) Average Household Size of the District (2024) Number of Households %of total number of households Distribution within sampling Number of completed household questionnaire 26 Erzurum Aşkale İstasyon Aşkale 2,027 3.36 603 3 10 11 27 Erzurum Aşkale Kandilli Kandilli 894 3.36 266 1 4 4 28 Erzurum Aziziye Çiğdemli Çiçekli 475 3.51 135 1 3 0 29 Erzurum Aziziye Ilıca Kaplıca(Ilıca) 8,002 3.51 2,280 11 43 49 30 Erzurum Yakutiye Ömer Nasuhi Bilmen Erzurum 29,254 3.44 8,504 40 134 132 31 Erzurum Palandöken Uzunahmet Uzunahmet 165 3.7 45 0 2 0 32 Erzurum Pasinler Çöğender Alvar 559 3.8 147 1 3 3 33 Erzurum Pasinler Kethuda Hasankale 866 3.8 228 1 4 3 34 Erzurum Köprüköy Şehitler Köprüköy 1,033 4.01 258 1 5 5 35 Erzurum Horasan Karaçuha Karaçuha 59 3.88 15 0 2 2 36 Erzurum Horasan Esentepe Horasan 841 3.88 217 1 4 5 37 Erzurum Horasan Hızırilyas Hızır İlyas 314 3.88 81 0 2 2 38 Kars Sarıkamış Süngütaş Süngütaşı 126 3.79 33 0 2 2 39 Kars Sarıkamış Sırbasan Soğanlı 150 3.79 40 0 2 2 40 Kars Sarıkamış İstasyon Sarıkamış 1,161 3.79 306 1 5 5 41 Kars Selim Köprübaşı Selim 574 3.91 147 1 3 3 42 Kars Selim Benliahmet Benliahmet 645 3.91 165 1 3 4 43 Kars Central Cumhuriyet Kars 7,335 3.37 2,177 10 25 27 44 Kars Central Hafızpaşa Kars 2,581 3.37 766 4 10 10 45 Kars Arpaçay Güvercin Güvercin 306 3.26 94 0 9 10 46 Kars Arpaçay Taşbaşı Taşbaşı 188 3.26 58 0 9 12 47 Ardahan Çıldır Yukarıcambaz Canbaz 329 3.14 105 0 9 9 48 Ardahan Çıldır Aşağıcambaz Canbaz 208 3.14 66 0 9 11 Total 72,413 21,619 100 384 383 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 314 / 467 # Province District Settlement Result of the Interview 128 Erzurum Horasan Şerefiye Completed 129 Erzurum Pasinler Ebsemce Completed 130 Ardahan Çıldır Damlıca Could not be accessed 131 Ardahan Çıldır Karakale Could not be accessed 132 Erzurum Horasan Azap Could not be accessed 133 Erzurum Pasinler Övenler Could not be accessed 134 Sivas Divriği Aşağıhamam Could not be accessed 135 Sivas Divriği Çobandurağı Could not be accessed 136 Erzurum Horasan Çiftlik Could not be accessed 137 Erzurum Horasan Bulgurlu Could not be accessed 138 Erzurum Pasinler Üğümü Could not be accessed 139 Tunceli Pülümür Dağyolu Refused 140 Sivas Divriği Adatepe Could not be accessed 141 Sivas Divriği Oyuktepe Could not be accessed 142 Tunceli Pülümür Doğanpınar Completed 143 Erzurum Pasinler Reşadiye Refused 144 Erzurum Horasan İnönü Refused ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 315 / 467 Table 100. Interviewed Stakeholders Province District Institution 1 Sivas Divriği Divriği Cemevi Cultural Center 2 Sivas Divriği Divriği Train Station Signaling and Electrification Chiefdom 3 Sivas Divriği Sivas Cumhuriyet University Divriği Nuri Demirağ Vocational School 4 Sivas Divriği Divriği Station 5 Sivas Divriği Divriği Municipality 6 Sivas Divriği Divriği Chamber of Agriculture 7 Sivas Divriği Divriği District Governorship 8 Sivas Divriği Divriği Village Services Union 9 Erzincan Kemah Kemah Municipality 10 Erzincan Kemah Kemah Social Assistance Association 11 Erzincan Kemah Kemah District Governorship 12 Erzincan Kemah Kemah Alevi Cultural Association Zeynal Karakoç Cem and Cultural Center 13 Erzincan Kemah Kemah District State Hospital 14 Erzincan Central Erzincan Governorship Social Solidarity and Aid Foundation 15 Erzincan Central Erzincan Municipality 16 Erzincan Üzümlü Üzümlü District Governorship 17 Erzincan Üzümlü Üzümlü Municipality 18 Erzincan Üzümlü Üzümlü Social Solidarity and Aid Foundation 19 Erzincan Üzümlü Üzümlü District National Education Directorate 20 Tunceli Pülümür Pülümür Municipality 21 Tunceli Pülümür Pülümür Beekeeping Cooperative 22 Erzincan Tercan Tercan District Agriculture Directorate 23 Erzincan Tercan Tercan District Governorship 24 Erzincan Çayırlı Çayırlı District Governorship Social Solidarity and Aid Foundation 25 Erzincan Çayırlı Çayırlı District Special Provincial Administration Directorate 26 Erzincan Çayırlı Çayırlı Sugar Beet Growers' Cooperative 27 Erzincan Çayırlı Çayırlı Municipality 28 Erzurum Aşkale Aşkale District National Education Directorate 29 Erzurum Aşkale Aşkale District Directorate of Planning and Urbanization 30 Erzurum Aziziye Aziziye District Governorship 31 Erzurum Aziziye Aziziye District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 316 / 467 Province District Institution 32 Erzurum Aziziye Aziziye District National Education Directorate 33 Erzurum Yakutiye Northeast Anatolia Development Agency (KUDAKA) 34 Erzurum Yakutiye Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality 35 Erzurum Yakutiye Yakutiye District National Education Directorate 36 Erzurum Yakutiye Erzurum Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP) Regional Development Administration Presidency 37 Erzurum Palandöken Palandöken District Governorship 38 Erzurum Pasinler Pasinler District National Education Directorate 39 Erzurum Pasinler Pasinler District Governorship 40 Erzurum Pasinler Pasinler District Health Directorate 41 Erzurum Köprüköy Köprüköy District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry 42 Erzurum Köprüköy Köprüköy District Governorship 43 Erzurum Horasan Horasan Municipality 44 Erzurum Horasan Horasan District National Education Directorate 45 Kars Selim Selim Social Solidarity and Aid Foundation 46 Kars Selim Selim District National Education Directorate 47 Kars Selim Selim Municipality 48 Kars Selim Selim Public Education Center 49 Kars Sarıkamış Sarıkamış Chamber of Agriculture 50 Kars Sarıkamış Sarıkamış District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry 51 Kars Sarıkamış Sarıkamış District Governorship 52 Kars Sarıkamış Sarıkamış District Health Directorate 53 Kars Sarıkamış Sarıkamış Public Education Center 54 Kars Central Serhat Development Agency (SERKA) 55 Kars Central Kars Municipality 56 Kars Arpaçay Arpaçay Sugar Beet Cooperative 57 Kars Arpaçay Arpaçay Municipality 58 Kars Arpaçay Arpaçay Chamber of Agriculture Presidency 59 Ardahan Çıldır Çıldır Municipality 60 Ardahan Çıldır Çıldır Village Services Union 61 Ardahan Çıldır Çıldır Social Solidarity and Aid Association ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 317 / 467 Table 101. Completed Focus Group Meetings # Province District Focus Group Discussion 1 Sivas Divriği Divriği Alevi Focus Group 2 Sivas Divriği Divriği Women Entrepreneurs Focus Group, Hüma Hatun Street (Project Street) 3 Erzincan Kemah Kemah Student Focus Group 4 Erzincan Tercan Tercan Youth Focus Group 5 Erzincan Üzümlü Üzümlü Ahıska Turks Women Focus Group 6 Erzurum Aşkale Aşkale Women Focus Group 7 Erzurum Pasinler Pasinler Healthcare Workers Focus Group 8 Erzurum Horasan Horasan Women Focus Group 9 Kars Selim Selim Women Focus Group 10 Kars Arpaçay Arpaçay Beekeeper-Livestock Farmer-Farmer Focus Group 11 Ardahan Çıldır Çıldır Fishermen Focus Group ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 318 / 467 4.11.2.5 Limitations First Phase of the Social Research (October-November 2023) The elevated and mountainous terrain characteristics of the regions through which the route passes have brought about challenges in terms of accessibility. Therefore, work was not conducted in station areas where access via road is impossible. The fact that the study was conducted in October and November meant that it was affected by the early onset of darkness. Consequently, activities such as taking photographs and visiting the fields were impossible after sunset and were deferred to the following day, leading to the closure of the field program during those hours. Stakeholder meetings planned to take place at Erzurum Station, one of the main stops of the project, were disrupted due to interruptions in the duties and responsibilities of informative personnel. Second Phase of the Social Research (March 2024) The limitations have been explained under the following headings; Heavy Winter Conditions: Between March 19 and 28, 2024 the weather conditions continued to be rainy in Sivas and Erzincan regions, and cold with snowfall in Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan regions. The ice and snowfall made both road access difficult and extended travel times. Difficult Road Conditions: The secondary roads connecting the rural settlements have soil, stabilized, and low-quality asphalt pavement characteristics. This situation, combined with the weather conditions, completely restricted access to some settlements. Due to this access problem, Divriği Gezey village in Sivas and Yarbaşı village in Pülümür, Tunceli could not be visited. Insufficient Internet and Phone Coverage Network: In household and mukhtar (village head) surveys, face-to-face interviews conducted via online connection were supplemented with printed questionnaires in areas where internet connection was unavailable. This situation has caused some missing data. Wrong phone number: During desk-based research, efforts were made to collect mukhtars' phone numbers from the internet. However, access to many mukhtars could not be achieved due to incorrect registered phone numbers, some correct phone numbers belonging to the previous term's mukhtar, or completely incorrect phone numbers. This situation resulted in the inability to conduct many mukhtar interviews planned to be conducted by phone. Local Administrator Election Period: The local elections in Türkiye were held on March 31, 2024. Therefore, the period between March 19th and March 28th, when the research was conducted, coincided with the period of most intense election campaigns. This situation has led to many mukhtars, mayors, and relevant institutions being hesitant to participate in the interviews. Ramadan Period: In the year 2024, the month of Ramadan started on March 11th and ended on April 9th. Hence, the period between March 19th and March 28th fell within the Ramadan period. The fatigue and sleep deprivation brought about by fasting have reduced the participation of household representatives who were planned to be interviewed in the research. In the Erzurum region, it is a local cultural practice for many households to stay awake from iftar until suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and sleep during the day. This has made it difficult to reach individuals for interviews before iftar. To overcome this issue, the study planned to be conducted in the Ömer Nasuhi Bilmen neighborhood resulted in the preference for crowded public areas such as coffeehouses and reading rooms in the city center after iftar. Therefore, the sample represented the city center rather than the neighborhood. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 319 / 467 Table 102. Information about First Phase of Social Survey (October-November 2023) # Name of the facility Km Scope of the Project Date Current condition Province Scope of the survey Key informant Interviewees Description of employee 1 Hudut 1444+479 Out of the scope Not visited No information Ardahan Not visited Not visited Not visited No employee 2 Canbaz 1432+349 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Ardahan Visited Railway Employee Males There is no permanent employee. Responsible staff is assigned by the Kars 47th Branch of TCDD’s Department of Railway Maintenance. 3 Taşbaşı 1416+349 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males There is no permanent employee. Responsible staff is assigned by the Kars 47th Branch of TCDD’s Department of Railway Maintenance. 4 Güvercin 1397+149 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males There is no permanent employee. Responsible staff is assigned by the Kars 47th Branch of TCDD’s Department of Railway Maintenance. 5 Kars Logistic Centre No information Additional study 17.10.2023 Logistic center Kars Visited Railway Employee Males No information 6 Kars 1365+204 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Kars Main Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males and Females Both male and female No information 7 Kars No information Additional study 30.10.2023 BTK Junction Kars Visited Railway Employee Males No employee 8 Kars No information Additional study 30.10.2023 Kars Main Station - BTK Junction Kars Visited Railway Employee Males No employee 9 Kars No information Additional study 30.10.2023 Kars Central - Highways Overpass Kars Visited Railway Employee Males No employee 10 Dikme 1352+150 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Abandoned Stop / Station Kars Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 11 Benli Ahmet 1340+550 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 12 Selim 1329+945 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Consultation could not be realized Consultation could not be realized Consultation could not be realized 13 Çatak 1319+875 Out of the scope 31.10.2023 Abandoned Stop / Station Kars Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 14 Sarıkamış 1305+615 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males and a female Both male and female 7 staffs 15 Aşit 1293+750 Out of the scope 17.10.2023 Abandoned Stop / Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 16 Soğanlı 1288+850 Within the scope Not visited Station Kars Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 17 Topdağı 1273+531 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males Both male and female 5 staffs 18 Süngütaşı 1260+280 Within the scope 31.10.2023 Station Kars Visited Railway Employee Males Both male and female 6 staffs 19 Hızır İlyas 1248+408 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzurum Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 20 Horasan 1233+879 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 4 staffs 21 Karaçuha 1219+943 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Abandoned Stop / Station Erzurum Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 22 Köprüköy 1206+485 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 4 staffs 23 Hasankale 1189+298 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 5 staffs 24 Alvar 1180+762 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzurum Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 25 Uzun Ahmet 1167+219 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 4 staffs 26 Erzurum 1148+672 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Main station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Both male and female No information 27 Palandöken No information Out of the scope Not visited Logistic center Erzurum Not visited Not visited Not visited No information 28 Kaplıca(Ilıca) 1133+496 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males and a female Both male and female 6 staffs 29 Çiçekli 1124+500 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzurum Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 30 Kandilli 1108+989 Within the scope 01.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 6 staffs 31 Aşkale 1093+221 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Erzurum Visited Railway Employee Males and a female Both male and female 32 Saptıran 1080+463 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzurum Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 33 Karasu 1061+852 Out of the scope Not visited Station Erzurum Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 34 Erbaş 1047+637 Within the scope Not visited Station Erzincan Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 35 Çadırkaya 1033+998 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 320 / 467 # Name of the facility Km Scope of the Project Date Current condition Province Scope of the survey Key informant Interviewees Description of employee 6 staffs 36 Mercan 1021+812 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 8 staffs 37 Altınkent 1011+460 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzincan Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 38 Demirkapı 998+831 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 7 staffs 39 Geçit 981+650 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Tunceli Visited No key informant No key informant No employee 40 Tanyeri 966+648 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 10 staffs 41 Altınbaşak 951+338 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzincan Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 42 Erzincan 933+784 Within the scope 02.11.2023 Main station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Both male and female 43 Dumanlı 921+002 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Erzincan Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 44 Alp 901+798 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 7 staffs 45 Kemah 885+765 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males and a female Both male and female 9 staffs 46 Eriç 868+650 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 6 staffs 47 Güllübağ 851+457 Within the scope Not visited Station Sivas Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 48 İliç 832+434 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Only male 10 staffs 49 Bağıştaş 821+802 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males and a female Both male and female 6 staffs 50 Çaltı 804+599 Within the scope 03.11.2023 Station Erzincan Visited Railway Employee Males Both male and female 10 staffs 51 Dazlak 793+500 Within the scope Not visited Abandoned Stop / Station Sivas Not visited No key informant No key informant No employee 52 Divriği 777+708 Out of the scope Not visited Station Sivas Not visited Not visited Not visited No information ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 321 / 467 4.11.2.6 Impact Assessment The standards and subheadings that provide the basis for the evaluated data are as follows; ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts ▪ Economic displacement for individuals and businesses due to land acquisition. ▪ Potential effects on culturally and environmentally protected areas. ▪ Effects on disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. ▪ Risks to community health and safety during construction. ▪ Risks related to labor influx, with a specific focus on women and girls in communities. ▪ Discrimination concerns access to project benefits for certain groups. ▪ Impacts on the health, safety, and well-being of workers. ▪ Risks to sites with cultural heritage importance. ▪ Ecosystem services ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions ▪ All categories of workers, encompassing full-time employees, part-time workers, interns, and apprentices. ▪ The legislation is comprehensive and applicable across various sectors and industries. ▪ Non-discrimination ▪ Freedom of association ▪ Minimum employment age and wage ▪ Child and forced labor ▪ Occupational health and safety ▪ Dispute resolution ▪ Increased labor influx in a community, leading to risks such as gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment. ESS4 Community Health and Safety ▪ Identification, evaluation, and management risks and impacts to the health and safety of the affected communities ▪ Assessment of traffic and road safety risks and propose measures to manage these risks ▪ Engagement with the community on safety matters and ensure they are informed about the risks and measures in place ▪ Engagement with affected communities and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle ▪ Informative actions for affected communities about risks and proposed measures ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement ▪ To avoid involuntary resettlement or, when unavoidable, minimize involuntary resettlement by exploring project design alternatives. ▪ To avoid forced eviction. ▪ To mitigate unavoidable adverse social and economic impacts from land acquisition or restrictions on land use by: (a) providing timely compensation for loss of assets at replacement cost; and (b) assisting displaced persons in their efforts to improve, or at least restore their livelihoods and living standards in real terms, to pre-displacement levels or to levels prevailing prior to the beginning of project implementation, whichever is higher. ▪ To improve living conditions of poor or vulnerable persons who are physically displaced, through provision of adequate housing, access to services and facilities, and security of tenure. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 322 / 467 ▪ To conceive and execute resettlement activities as sustainable development programs, providing sufficient investment resources to enable displaced persons to benefit directly from the project, as the nature of the project may warrant ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure ▪ Identification and analysis of stakeholders ▪ Parties affected by the project ▪ Other interested parties ▪ Individuals or groups facing disadvantages/vulnerabilities ▪ Timing of the stakeholder engagement program ▪ Strategy for information disclosure and consultation ▪ To incorporate the views of disadvantaged/vulnerable groups ▪ Grievance redress mechanism ▪ Monitoring and reporting 4.12 Baseline Conditions The existing railway, which will be rehabilitated as part of the project, passes through a total of six provinces which are respectively Sivas, Tunceli, Erzincan, Erzurum, Kars, and Ardahan. 4.12.1 Population According to the results of the household survey, the total population of the interviewed settlements around the stations is 1,622. Of this population, 804 are female and 818 are male. The average household size is 4.2. In the mukhtar survey, the total number of households in the settlements was reported as approximately 29,805. Of this population, approximately 16,512 households reside in settlements around the railway line, while the remaining approximately 13,293 households are around the stations. The reason for the uncertainty of the result is that the number of households in a settlement is given in ranges, and also, a mukhtar may not have precise information on these matters. Therefore, it can be said that dense population areas are concentrated around the station areas. As a result, population movements such as migration from rural areas to urban areas, are more likely to be observed in settlements around the stations rather than in settlements around the railway line. According to the gender distribution of the population in the settlements around of the railway line, there are 25 settlements where the number of females is higher, 39 settlements where the number of males is higher, and 76 settlements where the number of females and males are equal. Both in the household survey and in the mukhtar survey, the numbers of females and males are generally equal (see Figure 93). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 323 / 467 Figure 93: Gender distribution, as adapted from the mukhtar survey Within the scope of household survey, the distribution of the population by age groups is as follows: 318 individuals are in the 0-14 age group (children), 1,176 individuals are in the 15-64 age group (working age), and 128 individuals are aged 65 and above (elderly) (see Figure 94). Figure 94: Age distribution, as adapted from the household survey In parallel, 100 out of 383 surveys answered "yes" to the question "Are there individuals in the household in the older age group?" In 72 of these households, there is 1 elderly person, and in 28 households, there are 2 elderly individuals. The overall ratio of elderly individuals is 8% (see Figure 95). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 330 / 467 The results of the mukhtar survey indicate that the most important primary source of income in the settlements around the railway line is agriculture and animal husbandry. In the settlements around the station, agriculture, followed by retirement, are the top two primary sources of income. Among the 135 households with a secondary source of income (see Table 107). Secondary sources of income are predominantly agriculture for both groups, with retirement and working as a laborer/employee in permanent jobs coming in second (see Figure 98 and Table 108). In 15 households, a tertiary source of income is found, which are as follows: Retirement (7 households), Beekeeping (3 households), employment as a worker/official (2 households), employment as a laborer in seasonal/periodic jobs (2 household), and livestock (1 household). When all the data is considered together, the region's prominent sources of income are working as a laborer/employee in permanent jobs, retirement, and animal husbandry. When the results of the household survey are examined, approximately 13% of the total population (199 individuals) are experiencing unemployment. Besides, the question " The number of people aged 15-64 who are looking for a job but cannot find one.?" was answered as "yes" at a rate of 35%. According to the definition of unemployment (People aged 15-64 who are looking for a job but cannot find one.), this represents individuals between the ages of 15-64 who are actively seeking work but unable to find it. Men and women between the ages of 15-64 make up 73% of the total population. The unemployment rate among men is higher than that among women. Specifically, while the unemployment rate among men between the ages of 15-64 is around 17%, the unemployment rate among women in the same age group is around 8%. This situation may be related to women not seeing themselves within the definition of unemployment, or more accurately, not actively seeking work. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 331 / 467 Table 107: General distribution of income sources, as adapted from the mukhtar survey Primary income source Secondary income source Agriculture Livestock Livestock Employment as a worker/official Retirement Beekeeping Figure 98: Primary and secondary income sources, as adapted from Mukhtar survey ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 332 / 467 Table 108: Primary and secondary income sources, as adapted from Mukhtar survey What is the secondary income source for the household? What is the primary income source for the household? Beekeepi ng Retireme nt Animal husband ry Working as a laborer in seasonal /periodic jobs Permane nt work as a laborer/o fficial There is no seconda ry income source Number of interview s Agriculture 0 4 103 2 1 0 110 Animal husbandry 2 8 0 0 6 2 18 Retirement 4 0 0 0 3 1 8 Permanent work as a laborer/official 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 Working as a laborer in seasonal/periodic jobs 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Number of interviews 7 12 103 2 11 5 140 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 333 / 467 In 250 out of 383 households, no individuals were found who were looking for a job but could not find one. In 10 out of these 250 households, there are already no individuals in the 15-64 age range. In the remaining 133 households, both men and women fitting this description were found. The total population in these 133 households is 659 people, and the number of individuals fitting the definition of unemployment is 199 (with an unemployment rate of approximately 30%). When looking at the household level, it is observed that 5 households have an unemployment (number of people aged 15-64 who are looking for a job but cannot find one) rate between 75100%, 24 households have a rate between 50-74%, 59 households have a rate between 2549%, and 45 households have a rate between 9-24%. Therefore, the overall unemployment rate at the household level may be misleading (see Figure 99). Figure 99: Unemployment rates based on Households, as adapted from Household survey The mukhtar data does not provide a valid result regarding household unemployment. Inconsistent answers were obtained from mukhtars who could not accurately express the number of households, to the question "How many people in the settlement are experiencing unemployment (of working age and actively seeking work)?" Therefore, a clear unemployment rate could not be obtained for either the settlements around the stations or those around the railway line. Therefore, when roughly interpreted as either unemployment exists or does not exist, the following approximate result emerges. 4.12.2.1 Persons/Groups Experiencing Economic Hardship 4.12.2.1.1 Unemployment In the household survey, in response to the question "Who can benefit the most positively from the project activities?" "Unemployed / Those seeking employment" has a score of 9%. Similarly, "Workers / Station employees" also has a low score among those who can benefit from the project activities (7%). This indicates that there is no clear view regarding whether the project will create employment or improve the work environment. While the responses to the question "What are the most important issues in your settlement?" vary widely in household data, economic difficulties, unemployment, employment, and insufficient job opportunities for women stand out. Particularly when unemployment is reported as the primary issue, employment is positioned as the secondary issue. Similarly, alongside investment deficiency, unemployment has been reported as the primary issue in many responses. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 334 / 467 The main emphasis here is that while the lack of investment, limited job opportunities, and unemployment stand out as issues in the region, the projects along the railway line are not perceived as a solution to these problems. The summary of other responses, presented in relation to the issue of unemployment, has been adapted from household data using Table 109. In the mukhtar survey, among the 36 different responses provided regarding the most important issues in the region, unemployment ranks sixth. Unemployment has been expressed as a more significant issue in settlements around the stations. Unlike households, mukhtars have either brushed off regional issues as "no problems" or highlighted "infrastructure" problems. In addition, there is almost no emphasis on unemployment among the people who will benefit the most from the project's benefits and those who will be most affected by its negative impacts (see Figure 100). Figure 100: Most important problems, as adapted from Mukhtar survey ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 335 / 467 Table 109: Most important issues based on economic problems, as adapted from the household survey Unemployment Lack of investment Economy Employment Underdevelopment of the region Insufficient job opportunities for women Number of answers related to economic problems There are no other problems 23 5 5 5 2 0 40 Infrastructure 12 1 0 0 0 0 13 Employment 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 Lack of investment 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 Lack of social areas 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 Road 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 Transportation 3 1 0 0 0 0 4 Agriculture 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 Health 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Economy 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Animal husbandry 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Railway 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Local government 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 Climate characteristics 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Housing 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Social structure 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Migration 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Conservatism 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Production 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Grazing 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Social justice 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Unemployment 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 Underdevelopment of the region 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Number of answer related to economic problems 87 9 8 5 2 1 112 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 336 / 467 The stakeholder views compiled regarding the effects of the project on the migration, students, and youth are as follows. The notes during the interview have been directly transcribed using the quotation method. • Erzurum, Yakutiye, Erzurum DAP Regional Development Administration Presidency: " It would benefit tourism, reduce external migration, and increase investment opportunities." • Kars, Sarıkamış, Sarıkamış Chamber of Agriculture: " From an economic perspective, it would be positive as it would create employment. Additionally, if train services are frequent, longer breaks can be taken, which would contribute to tourism. Cafés could also be opened in railway buildings." • Ardahan, Çıldır, Çıldır Municipality: "Our only expectation is to extend the Eastern Express here. It comes to Yukarıcambaz and unloads cargo every 15-20 days. It does not connect to any commercial activity here; it does not contribute. When there is no source of income, the young population migrates. Even having a station here would create employment." • Ardahan, Çıldır, Çıldır Social Solidarity and Aid Association: "It has no benefit for the citizens, it does not provide employment. The BTK railway line also does not provide any benefit. If a logistics center is established, employment will be provided, and the migration of the young population will decrease, even prevented. People come with tours but stay in Kars, the hotels here remain empty. We need a station here, otherwise it will continue like this." • Ardahan, Çıldır, Çıldır Village Services Union: "I do not think it will have a big impact. If there was a train and it operated daily, it would have positive effects, but I do not think that will happen either. If it passes through Çıldır, it will contribute to tourism, trade, and animal husbandry. There is a lot of migration outwards, and the young population is quite low. If there is employment, migration will decrease." The views on employment, unemployment and female unemployment in focus group meetings can be summarized as follows: Location: Selim Public Education Center Clothing Workshop - Kars, Selim Participants: 6 Women How are women affected by these works and their results? Attendance 3: If our station opens, it will create job opportunities for women as well. Attendance 6: The building next to the station could be used as a hotel. When the station is operational, the hotel will also thrive. This would also provide opportunities for women. Women in our district are entrepreneurial. If given the opportunity, women here are open to working. Attendance 5: We are not passive actually. Our husbands also allow it. We also want to work. What are the most important problems for women in the region? Attendance 6: As Selim women, we are not passive at all. They think we are because we are in the East. We just do not have the opportunity. Attendance 4: Men do not exert pressure. We also want to work but there are no job opportunities here, but they can be created if our station opens. Attendance 3: Everything is not just about the house. We are improving ourselves. Attendance 6: I feel very uncomfortable at home. I feel better when I go out, produce, and see my friends at the course. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 337 / 467 Location: Sivas Divriği Women Entrepreneurs Focus Group, Hüma Hatun Street (Project Street) Participants: 4 Women What impact do you think the planned railway rehabilitation works will have? Positive or negative? Why? Attendance 3: Tourism train directly affects us because Hüma Hatun Street is also included in the schedules. They first come to the Grand Mosque, then the mansions, then Hüma Hatun and Cam Teras. This way, of course, it has a direct relationship with us and has a significant contribution to us. We definitely support it in a positive direction. We have a problem. The disadvantage for us is that the train from Ankara does not stop in Divriği. Because the train from Ankara does not stop, those who go to Kars and come back are already finished, meaning their budgets are finished, they do not even want to travel. We have a request for it to stop on the way. We would be very happy if you could convey this because then it would contribute significantly to us. For example, if it passes here at 8, let it pass at 10. They can have their breakfast here and so on. Divriği is a bit neglected. Divriği is also the pearl of Sivas. We should revitalize Kemaliye. For example, Erzurum should also revive, Divriği should also revive. We all benefit from this. Attendance 2: I agree with my friend. Our situation (twelve female entrepreneurs) is like that. 4.12.2.1.2 Social Aid Recipients In the mukhtar survey, an attempt was made to reach economically disadvantaged groups by asking mukhtars, "How many people in the settlement rely on social assistance?" Although these social aids include items such as disability pensions and elderly pensions, those benefiting from the state's social assistance must be economically disadvantaged. Although the responses from the mukhtars do not express consistent numbers, it can be said that the number of people relying on social assistance in the settlements is approximately around 3,500. In only 20 out of 140 settlements, there are no households benefiting from social assistance (see Table 110). Table 110: Distribution of Social Aid Users, as adapted from the mukhtar survey Number of Social Aid Users Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of interviews 1 0 4 4 2 1 5 6 3 1 5 6 4 0 7 7 5 1 7 8 5-10 1 0 1 6 1 4 5 6-7 1 0 1 7 2 3 5 8 0 1 1 10 0 4 4 12 0 1 1 13 0 3 3 14 1 0 1 15 4 3 7 15-20 2 0 2 20 4 1 5 23 0 1 1 20-25 1 0 1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 338 / 467 Number of Social Aid Users Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of interviews 27 0 1 1 28 0 1 1 30 1 2 3 35 0 1 1 40 0 8 8 50 1 4 5 50-60 2 0 2 56 0 1 1 60 1 3 4 65 0 1 1 75 1 1 2 80 0 1 1 85 1 0 1 100 1 2 3 105 0 1 1 130 0 1 1 100-150 1 0 1 170 0 1 1 200 1 2 3 200-250 1 0 1 350 1 0 1 400 0 2 2 500 2 0 2 600 0 1 1 No idea 3 0 3 Not available 6 14 20 Number of interviews 43 97 140 The opinion of the relevant institution providing data about the relationship between the Project and social assistance users are as follows: • Erzincan, Üzümlü, Üzümlü Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation: " Improving train transportation can be an important factor for students traveling outside the city, patients going to the hospital, and individuals receiving social assistance who require transportation and may not afford private vehicles." 4.12.3 Education According to the household survey, out of the total number of households, 234 households include students attending school. This corresponds to nearly 61% of the households. On the contrary, the number of households including illiterate individuals is 65, which corresponds to a rate of 17%. However, the efforts to be made for illiterate individuals, especially in the ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 339 / 467 stakeholder engagement processes, may be overlooked at a significant level (see Figure 101). In summary, concerning the project's relationship with education, young people and students are highlighted once again (see 4.12.1.1 Youth and Elderly) Figure 101: Education and Literacy, as adapted from the household survey When evaluated based on the mukhtar survey, the responses to the question "Approximately how many students (under 18 years old) are attending school in the settlement?" also contain numerical inconsistencies or large intervals in the numbers provided as answers. To address this gap, the responses were analyzed as "Yes," "No," and "No idea." When compared, the number of students attending school is higher in the settlements around the railway line than those around the station (see Figure 102.) Given the problems related to pedestrian and school crossings along the railway line, students attending school are among the at-risk groups in terms of public health and safety. In this sense, areas around the railway line, especially those lacking protected crossings and barriers, become more important for safety. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 346 / 467 As seen, the rate of engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry in settlements around the station is quite high, approximately 86%. This rate is higher in settlements around the railway, at approximately 97%. This situation is related to the fact that settlements around the station are located in areas where agricultural areas, such as provincial and district centers, have decreased. Settlements around the railway, on the other hand, are mainly located in rural areas and in regions where agricultural areas are more concentrated. Although a precise number cannot be given for the number of households engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, it is mentioned that there are approximately 12,000 households (see Table 113). Table 113: Number of Households engaged in agriculture and husbandry, as adapted from the mukhtar survey Number of households engaged in agriculture and husbandry Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of households Everyone 3 0 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 2 2 3 0 4 4 4 0 3 3 5 2 2 4 5-10 1 0 1 6 0 1 1 7-8 1 0 1 8 0 4 4 10 0 4 4 13 0 1 1 14 0 1 1 15 0 5 5 18 0 1 1 20 1 6 7 22 0 1 1 25 1 2 3 30 3 7 10 30-40 2 0 2 35 0 4 4 40 0 6 6 45 1 0 1 50 1 1 2 55 0 1 1 60 1 2 3 70 1 7 8 75 0 3 3 80 0 1 1 85 1 0 1 90 0 2 2 100 3 5 8 110 0 2 2 120 1 2 3 130 1 2 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 347 / 467 Number of households engaged in agriculture and husbandry Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of households 130-140 1 0 1 150 3 2 5 200 1 3 4 250 2 1 3 270 0 1 1 300 0 1 1 300-350 1 0 1 350 1 1 2 400 1 1 2 400-500 1 0 1 1,000 1 1 2 Number of households 37 94 131 According to the findings provided with Figure 104, both settlements around the station and settlements around the railway have high rates (around 70%) of agricultural and grazing areas used along the railway line. The rate of "Yes" responses in settlements around the station is around 77%, while in other settlements, this rate is around 69%. Although the exact location of these lands is not known, it can be said that they are approximately within the 500-meter corridor around the railway line. Figure 104: Areas related to agriculture and grazing, as adapted from the mukhtar survey It has been mentioned that in 4 settlements, although there are lands around the railway line, they are not used as a source of livelihood. 2 mukhtars expressed that they are not informed about the issue, while one mukhtar stated that "everyone" in the village uses these lands (see Table 114) Table 114: User of the agricultural and grazing areas Number of users Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of households Everyone 0 1 1 No idea 0 2 2 No use / No livelihood 2 2 4 4 1 1 2 5 1 2 3 5-6 1 0 1 5-10 0 1 1 7 0 1 1 8 0 2 2 10 0 5 5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 348 / 467 Number of users Settlements around the stations Settlements around the railway line Number of households 12 0 1 1 13 0 1 1 14 0 1 1 15 0 3 3 15-20 1 0 1 18 0 1 1 20 2 7 9 20-25 1 0 1 25 1 1 2 25-30 1 0 1 20-30 1 0 1 30 1 3 4 30-40 1 0 1 35 1 4 5 40 0 4 4 40-50 1 0 1 45 1 0 1 50 4 2 6 60 0 4 4 70 1 3 4 75 0 1 1 80 0 5 5 85 1 0 1 100 3 4 7 107 0 1 1 140 1 0 1 150 1 1 2 180 1 0 1 200 1 0 1 300 0 2 2 400 0 1 1 500 2 0 2 1,000-1,500 1 0 1 Number of households 33 67 100 The majority of agricultural products are used as fodder crops in animal husbandry (see Figure 105 and Figure 106). It can be said that agricultural production is also relevant for livestock products. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 349 / 467 Figure 105: Most Produced Primary, secondary, and tertiary agricultural products, as adapted from the mukhtar survey ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 350 / 467 Figure 106: Most Produced Primary, secondary, and tertiary animal products, as adapted from the mukhtar survey Beekeeping is reported as a livelihood for only 10 settlements, and it is classified among the secondary or tertiary sources of income. In the household survey, similarly, only one household reported beekeeping as the primary source of income, while 5 households mentioned beekeeping as a secondary source of income. Honey is among the most produced products in animal production, ranking among the primary, secondary, and tertiary products. Cheese such as Kashar, Çeçil, and Tulum, along with honey, hold both economic and cultural significance in the local production network. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CNR-ETMIC-ESIA-001 Rev.05 Date: 10.09.2024 Page 351 / 467 4.12.5.1 Expected Impacts of Project on Agriculture and Husbandry When questioning how landowners / land user, if they conduct agricultural and grazing activities, will be affected by the project in terms of livelihood, the highest response rate belongs to the idea that project activities will not affect the livelihoods in these areas (see Figure 107) Figure 107: Evaluation of impact on agricultural and husbandry livelihood, as adapted from the mukhtar survey When asked how the project activities would affect their agricultural activities, only 7 households expressed a positive opinion. A majority (45/84) indicated that the project's activities would not affect their agricultural activities at all. While 30 households expressed negative views, 9 households did not express an opinion (see Figure 108). When asked how the project activities would affect their grazing activities, unlike the opinions regarding agriculture, no positive responses were received from any household. The proportion of household representatives stating that the project's activities would not affect their livestock activities is around 63% (48/76). One household did not express an opinion (Figure 109). Similar views are reflected in the results obtained from the question "According to you, who can be most affected and harmed by the project activities?" In line with the concerns of household representatives, the responses include those involved in animal husbandry/shepherds, those involved in agriculture/animal husbandry, those with land along the railway line, and those involved in agriculture/with agricultural land. When considering agriculture and animal husbandry responses together, the proportion increases significantly