Laying of Anjar - Chotila Natural Gas transportation Pipeline (196.14 km) with associated facilities in state of Gujarat by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited ANNEXURE XII – SITE SPECIFIC CONSERVATION PLAN SITE SPECIFIC CONSERVATION PLAN The Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) also called the ghudkhur in the local Gujarati language, is a subspecies of the onager native to Southern Asia. 1. Ghud Khur (Equus hemionus khur) Sanctuary Introduction: A flat, salt-cracked vast barren desert, hissing sand storms and the majestic Ghudkhar roaming over mirage waters make the little rann of Kuchchh an unique and one of the most fascinating wilderness of the world. The Sanctuary was established in 1973 covering entire little rann and waste lands of bordering five districts with an area of 4953 Sq. KM. The Rann was a shallow part of the Gulf of Kuchchh earlier. It is formed through the process of siltation of marine estuary. During monsoon, the discharge of river and rain waters together with sea water blown up due to south west winds, the rann becomes a vast shallow sheet of water which dries up by October, November leaving a flat surface to provide super highway for vehicles. Locally known as ‘Ghud Khar’ was once common in the North-western India. West Pakistan and South Iran. They are now found only in the Rann of Kuchchh of Gujarat State. The Wild Ass falls in Family Equide which includes Horses, Zibras and Donkeys. Indian Wild Ass is one of the sturdiest animals in the world, withstanding scorching midday temp upto 45° C or more without any shelter in midst of the desert and facing long periods of drought as well as other calamities with relative ease, where others cannot survive. It has strength and speed of a horse and can run at speeds of 60 to 70 Km/hr. A mature beast stands 120 cms. in height and 210 cms. in length, weighing about 230 kgs. It possesses a shiny white coat with greyish-brown patches and a black or brown hairy stripe in the centre enhancing its beauty. They move about either singly or in herds (10 to 30) in search of fodder and sweet water, resting only in hot afternoon hours. They eat what they get, generally scrubby grass and pods of prosopis. Gujarat has few other successful wildlife management stories which may be enlisted among the best conservation stories in the world. The number of Indian wild ass, locally called Ghudkhar increased from about 400 individuals in 1960s to over 4,000 individuals in and around the Rann of Kuchchh at present. As per the report of the Forest Survey of India, the mangrove cover in the state has improved from less than 400 sq. km. in 1993 to about 1,050 sq. km. in 2009. The tree cover in the non-forest area has also improved due to intense social forestry activities. Now villages in Gujarat are greener than their green covers in 1970s. This was achieved despite tremendous development pressure because the character and behavior of the Indian society have deep root in cultural and religious strength that evolved and persisted over a period. Physical description: The Indian wild ass, as with most other Asian wild ass subspecies, is quite different from the African wild ass species. The coat is usually sandy, but varies from reddish grey, fawn, to pale chestnut. The Annexure XII – Site Specific Conservation Plan AN XII-1 Laying of Anjar - Chotila Natural Gas transportation Pipeline (196.14 km) with associated facilities in state of Gujarat by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited ANNEXURE XII – SITE SPECIFIC CONSERVATION PLAN animal possesses an erect, dark mane which runs from the back of the head and along the neck. The mane is then followed by a dark brown stripe running along the back, to the root of the tail. Habitat: In the present study, Wild Ass Sanctuary, Indian wild ass occupy the saline mudflats, grassland, bets (vegetated islands on the barren Rann), and the fringes where natural vegetation is interspersed with croplands. Scrubland with low to medium density of shrubs primarily Prosopis juliflora an introduced exotic and Rann grassland were the most preferred habitat, providing thermal cover during the hot day, and foaling ground for gravid mares. FIGURE 1: SHOWING PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION OF WILD ASS SANCTUARY AND PIPE-LINE ROUTE (~11 KM) THROUGH WILD ASS SANCTUARY Behaviors Studies on social organization and behavioural ecology of the Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) suggest that breeding is a seasonal activity occurring predominantly during monsoon. During the breeding season, male depending on their dominance hierarchy protect territories, male higher up in the hierarchy tends to have better habitat conditions in their territories while subordinate male are relegated to inferior territories. The female tends to move between territories and select mates with the best territory. Female with young tends to live in small groups of 2 – 5 adults. Indian wild asses graze between dawn and dusk. The animal feeds on grass, leaves and fruits of plant, Annexure XII – Site Specific Conservation Plan AN XII-2 Laying of Anjar - Chotila Natural Gas transportation Pipeline (196.14 km) with associated facilities in state of Gujarat by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited ANNEXURE XII – SITE SPECIFIC CONSERVATION PLAN crop, Prosopis pods, and saline vegetation. It is one of the fastest of Indian animals, with speeds clocked at about 70 – 80km per hour and can easily outrun a jeep. Stallions live either solitarily, or in small groups of twos and threes while family herds remain large. Distribution The subspecies khur was once widely distributed across the arid region of north-west India (including present day Pakistan) and westwards through much of central Asia towards Syria. However, the range is now restricted to the Little Rann of Kuchchh (Wild Ass Sanctuary) in Gujarat and in adjoining districts. Surveys conducted by Shah in 1993 showed the emigration from the Sanctuary into adjoining areas that are interspersed with fallow and saline lands in Surendranagar, a breeding herd was also recorded in the northeastern part of the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The Indian wild ass is a species with a small distribution range restricted to the salt desert in the Little Rann of Kuchchh. Surra an arthropod transmitted protozoan disease devastated the population in 1958 and 1960, and this coupled with drought reduced the population to 720 in 1976. The declaration of the Little Rann of Kuchchh as a wildlife sanctuary in 1973 led to the recovery of the population to 2839 individuals in 1999. Current estimate suggests a population of approximately 4000 individuals. The species are currently under severe threat from anthropogenic activities. The area has a large reserve of table salt and its extraction is a serious threat to the habitat of the wild ass. The wild ass, locally known as ghudkhar has been classified as 'nearly threatened' animal by the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The animal found only in the Little Rann of Kuchchh in Gujarat in India, was earlier classified as `endangered.' The IUCN report added that the population of the Asiatic wild species has been re-established and the population is increasing. In Gujarat, there are 4,451 wild asses as per the 2014 census declared in May. In 2004, their number was 3,863 which has increased to 4000 in 2009. However, as per Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and subsequent amendments Indian wild ass has been listed as Schedule I. Habitat fragmentation, disease and developmental activities are severe threats, to the continued survival of Indian Wild Ass. Due to the various threats, it is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) India and as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Ensuring the long term survival of the species necessitates the protection of habitat and ensuring habitat connectivity. Although the population has somewhat increased over the past years, foaling rates in Wild Ass have been on the decline stage in recent years." Major Threat in the Area: Land use patterns have changed all around the protected area Uninformed release of Sardar Sarovar canal excess waters into the Rann is having an impact on the micro-habitat The short grasslands and is restricting the movement of Wild Ass and other species across the saline desert Increased agricultural practices have converted lands into irrigation fields, resulting in shrinking habitat for the existing Wild Ass population. Annexure XII – Site Specific Conservation Plan AN XII-3 Laying of Anjar - Chotila Natural Gas transportation Pipeline (196.14 km) with associated facilities in state of Gujarat by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited ANNEXURE XII – SITE SPECIFIC CONSERVATION PLAN Religious activities, cattle breeding and influx of people have accelerated on the Islands or Bets of the Rann. Prosopis juliflora invasion is an additional threat to the habitat. An estimated 30-35% of the Wild Ass population lives outside the protected area and human-Wild Ass conflicts are increasing, particularly crop raiding. The International boundary with Pakistan has been fenced thus restricting any possibility of Wild Ass movement beyond borders. 2. Anticipated Impact study due to project activities and importance of the conservation plan: There is no direct or significant impact envisaged due to the project on Wild Ass and surrounding other faunal characteristics including birds. However, in order to improve existing surrounding, natural habitat including wildlife within study area, there is a need to prepare the biological conservation plan in a limited way so as to maintain ecological asset intact. The main objective of preparation of conservation plan is to maintain the ecological equilibrium in the surrounding area in an aesthetic way.