Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project - Environmental and Social Management Framework - Executive Summary

Jul 19, 2026

Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project focuses on increasing agricultural water productivity across selected Area Water Boards (AWBs) command areas in Sindh province while strengthening water resources management institutions. The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) establishes a screening, assessment, and management approach for environmental and social risks from SWAT subprojects, prepared in line with World Bank safeguard policies and relevant government regulations. A Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) addresses involuntary resettlement impacts. The framework supports implementation of five components spanning water resources reforms, irrigation service delivery, agricultural incentives, project coordination, and contingent emergency response.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages43

Reading Time1 h 48 min

Executive Summary

Project Overview

Project Components and Subproject Categories

Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)

Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)

Key Agencies and Coordination

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Government of Sindh, Pakistan Irrigation Department Agriculture, Supply & Prices Department Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project Environmental and Social Management Framework Executive Summary Project Coordination & Monitoring Unit Planning and Development Department Cover Photo: An aerial view of a minor irrigation canal, agricultural lands and rural landscape in Nara Canal Command Area (FO Sarki Minor, near Jhole city, Sinjhoro taluka, Sanghar district, off taking from Shahoo Wah Jamrao System Nara Canal) List of Acronyms A/RAPADU AWB BP BOQ CAP CSA CSC C-ESMP CDD ECP EIA EMP EMU EPA ESHGs ESHS ESU FO E&S EIA ESIA ESMF ESMP GBV Abbreviated/Resettlement Action Plan Agriculture Delivery Unit Area Water Board Bank Practice Bill of Quantity Corrective Action Plan Climate Smart Agriculture Construction Supervision Consultant Construction Environmental Social Management Plan Communication Driven Development Environmental Code of Practice Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan Environmental Management Unit of SIDA Environmental Protection Agency Environmental, health and safety guidelines Environmental, Social, Health & Safety Environmental and Social Unit Farmer Organization Environmental and Social Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Environmental and Social Management Framework Environmental and Social Management Plan Gender-Based Violence GoS HAI IEE IUCN IWRM IWRD NGO O&M OP OHS PCMU PDD PIC PIU PMO RPF SAGP SBIP SIDA SWAT SWP WB WCA WSIP Government of Sindh Hydro-Agro Informatics Initial Environmental Examination International Union o for Conservation of Nature Integrated Water Resources Management Integrated Water Resources Department Non-Government Organization Operation and Maintenance Operational Policy Occupational Health and Safety PCMU Project Coordination and Monitoring Unit Planning and Development Department Project Implementation Consultants Particulate Implementation Unit Project Management Organization Resettlement Policy Framework Sindh Agriculture Growth Project Sindh Barrages Improvement Project Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project Strategic Water Plan World Bank Water Course Association Water Sector Improvement Project The Government of Sindh (GoS), through the Planning and Development Department (PDD), Irrigation Department, and Agriculture Department, is planning to implement the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project (hereinafter referred as SWAT or the Project), with financial assistance from the World Bank (WB) . Under the SWAT, GoS aims to increase agricultural water productivity in selected Area Water Boards (AWBs) command areas and improve the institutional framework for water resources management. The present Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared to screen the potential environmental and social impacts of the SWAT and guide the screening, assessment and management of environmental and social risks and impacts of subprojects that will be identified during the project implementation. The ESMF has been prepared following the World Bank safeguard policies and the relevant government regulations. A Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) has also been prepared for the SWAT to address the involuntary resettlement impacts of these subprojectsand presented as a standalone document. Project Overview The project development objective is to increase agricultural productivity and improve water resources management throughout Sindh province through a series of projects. SWAT focuses on three AWBs on the Left Bank Canals of the Indus River: Ghotki (Ghotki Feeder canal with a command area of 381,000 Ha), Nara (Nara c

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for SWAT?

The ESMF provides procedures to screen, assess, and manage environmental and social risks and impacts of SWAT subprojects during project implementation.

Which institutions implement SWAT and its main components?

Implementation responsibilities include the Project Coordination and Monitoring Unit (PCMU) under the Planning and Development Department for selected components, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) under the Irrigation Department, and the Agriculture Department for other components.

How does SWAT structure its subprojects under the five components?

Subprojects are grouped based on whether they require civil works: Soft Interventions (without civil works) and Physical Interventions (with civil works), with most design details finalized only for specific subprojects during preparation.

Jul 19, 2026

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