Nepal Engineering College | Thesis Abstract

All Thesis Abstracts

Sustainability Assessment of Labdhu Dhikure Irrigation Project, Likhu Rural Municipality, Khanigaun, Nuwakot.

Yuba Raj Mishra

Dr. Dinesh Sukamani

Assessment of Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Building Construction Projects Executed by 'A' class Contractors in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Arati Devkota

Asst. Prof. Sabir Baidya

Assessment of Post-Fire Safety Compliance and Emergency Preparedness in Post-Fire Restored Government Buildings.

Roshna Guragain

Assist. Prof. Dr. Dinesh Sukamani

Comparative Assessment of Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build Procurement Methods on Bridge Project Performance of the Department of Roads in Nepal.

Raju Prasad Poudel

Asst. Prof. Dinesh Sukamani

Development of Prioritization Framework for Post-Fire Rehabilitation Intervention Decision in Fire Damaged Buildings: Reference from Federal Minister Quarter Buildings at Bhaisepati, Lalitpur.

Ajaya Bista

Dr. Dinesh Sukamani

Rainwater Harvesting Systems as a Sustainable Solution for Urban Water Scarcity: Case Study of Suryabinayak Municipality.

Pratikshya Ghimire

Mr. Jagam Shrestha

Socio-economic and environmental impact of Upper Balephi "A" Hydroelectrict Project (36 MW) on Local Communities.

Student: Sunil Tamang

Supervisor: Mr. Pratik Bajracharya

Submitted Date: August, 2026

Abstract

The research evaluated the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the Upper Balephi "A" Hydroelectric Project (36 MW) on the communities of Jugal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok District. A mixed-methods before-and-after research design was employed for this study. The household survey included 300 respondents residing in Ward 2 (Golche), Ward 3 (Gumba) and Ward 4 (Pangtang). Interviews with four key informants and open-ended responses from households were also collected for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Cronbach's alpha, paired-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Welch's independent-samples t-test. Open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively and used to explain the quantitative findings. The findings reveal significant improvements in road and service accessibility. Significant decline in average travel times to road, school, health facilities and markets has been observed. There have been improvements in social service access and women/community participation, whereas social cohesion deteriorated slightly due to conflicts about land issues, compensation and employment. Annual income and employment increased; however, agricultural livelihood deteriorated due to decline in the availability of land, irrigation services and livelihood disturbance. On the other hand, significant deterioration occurred in water resources and hydrological conditions, environmental quality and physical conditions, and biodiversity and natural resources. Dry season flow of river, spring flow, road dust pollution, spoil disposal, slope erosion and fish/aquatic life have been the major concerns of the community members. Though there have been identified risks like deforestation, blasting, reduced flow, fish migration and construction disturbance in the EIA study, it has been revealed from the community's responses that the mitigation and follow-up measures have not been sufficient. Scores on benefit sharing and governance were below the neutral point, indicating their dissatisfaction about compensation, grievance handling and benefit distribution process.

Keywords

Hydropower impact; Upper Balephi A; Jugal Rural Municipality; Socio-economic change; Environmental impact

THESIS ABSTRACT