Over-development or encroachment into non-consented land or areas without proper legal documentation by activities i.e., clearing, earthwork or building construction, causes physical environmental issues i.e., soil erosion, dust, and noise disturbance, as well as social conflicts with neighboring landowners.

Apart from the project boundary, setback or buffers for sensitive and protected areas identified during the EIA/PMM study i.e., forest reserves, hill sites, private lands and properties, must be allocated to exclude the area from the development based on the width mentioned in the EIA/PMM/AEC/MD to protect these areas.

1.1.2 Notify all workers, including contractors, agents or individual personnel that were appointed in carrying out the Project activities on the boundary marker used on the site, to avoid damaging, tampering, relocating them. Examples of notification methods are:

• a) Clearly state boundary marker tools in the contract.
  b) Erect signboards at site boundaries.
  c) Conduct periodic awareness training on boundary markers used onsite.
  d) Display boundary marker tools used on-site, on the notice board

1.1.3 EO to inspect and monitor marking tools at the site to ensure markers remain in its initial position. Conduct maintenance or repair where necessary.

1.1.4 Prohibit development activity outside the Project boundary.

1.1.5 Land

• 1.1.5.1 Use visible boundary marker tools made from sturdy materials. Among the boundary marking tools that can be used are painted wooden stakes, signboards, PVC pipes and hoarding. Refer to Plates 1-5.
• 1.1.5.2 Consider site topography conditions when selecting the marking tools used to mark site boundaries.

1.1.6 Sea

• 1.1.6.1 Submit boundary survey plan (with RSO coordinate system) done by a licensed surveyor (registered surveyor licensed under Surveyor Ordinance, 1960) to the EPD in either soft copy (compulsory and in Shapefile format) or hard copy (optional) format before any physical work commences at the site.
• 1.1.6.2 Install marker buoys at location specified in the AEC/MD. Use marker buoy:
  • i. With colour that is easily visible.
    ii. Lighted during night-time.

1.2 SETBACK OR BUFFER (SENSITIVE AND PROTECTED AREAS)

1.2.1 Demarcate every corner of the setback/buffer for sensitive or protected areas throughout the development as per the mitigating measure plan in the approved EIA/PMM.

1.2.2 Mark the setback or buffer boundary with visible boundary markers made from sturdy materials. Boundary markers that can be used include painted wooden stakes, signboards or PVC pipes.

1.2.3 Use different setback or buffer boundary markers from the site boundary marker. For example, use red painted wooden stakes to mark the site boundary and yellow painted wooden stakes to mark the setback or buffer areas boundary. Refer to Figures 3 and 4.

1.2.4 Provide setback or buffer width as stated in an EIA/PMM and AEC/MD.

1.2.5 Erect a prohibition signboard at the buffer boundary to remind workers not to enter or conduct any activity within the setback or buffer zone area.

1.2.6 Notify all workers, including contractors, agents or individual personnel that were appointed to carry out Project activities, on buffer or setback boundary markers used on-site, to avoid damaging, tampering, or relocating the markers. Examples of notification methods include:

• a) Clearly state buffer or setback boundary markers in the contract.
  b) Erect signboards at setback/buffer boundaries.
  c) Conduct periodic awareness training on buffer or setback boundary markers used on-site.
  d) Display buffer or setback boundary markers used on-site, on the notice board.

1.2.7 EO to inspect and monitor buffer or setback boundary markers at the site to ensure markers remain in its initial position. Conduct maintenance or repair where necessary.