Species Conservation Plan of Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl)

& Varanus bengalensis (Indian Monitor )

For “TECHNICAL GRADE PESTICIDES MANUFACTURING UNIT” at PLOT NO 3206/B, & 3206/A, GIDC, PIRAMAN, ANKLESHWAR, BHARUCH, GUJARAT PROJECT PROPONENT: -

M/s BHARAT PRODUCTS LIMITED

(E-17& 18, DSIIDC Industrial Complex New Delhi-110041, )

Contact Details:

Mr. Shambhu Nath Upadhyay

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +91-9818236022 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT M/S SHIVALIK SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT LTD.

NABET Registered List ‘A’ of Accredited Consultant Organizations / Rev. 76,

06th May, 2019, at Sr. No. 141)

((UPL Enviro Infrastructure Group Co.),2nd floor, SCO 20-21, near Hotel Dolphin, Zirakpur, Punjab-140604

Email id: [email protected]

Phone: +91-9316028131 ASSOCIATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

M/s Perfact Enviro Solution Pvt. Ltd.

NABET Registered List ‘A’ of Accredited Consultant Organizations / Rev. 76,

06th May, 2019, at Sr. No. 119)

(5th Floor, NN Mall, Mangalam Palace, Sector 3, Rohini, New Delhi-110085)

Email id: [email protected]

Phone: 011-49281360

Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ...... 2

1.1 Details of the study area ...... 2

1.2 Details of Ecological and Biodiversity Study ...... 3

1.3 Principles of Wildlife Conservation ...... 11

1.4 Decline of Wildlife ...... 11

Chapter 2: Conservation Plan ...... 12

2.1 Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) ...... 12

2.2 Indian (Varanus bengalensis) ...... 16

Chapter 3: Baseline Information and Conservation Plan ...... 19

3.1 Anticipated Impact on Pavo cristatus ...... 19

3.2 Conservation Measures for Fauna with respect to project proponent ...... 19

3.3 Specific Conservation Measures in consultation with forest department ...... 20

Chapter 4: Project Budget ...... 21

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Chapter 1: Introduction

The Proposed project is “Technical Grade Pesticides Manufacturing Unit” will be located at Plot no.- 3206/B, & 3206/A, GIDC, Piraman, Ankaleshwar, Bharuch, Gujrat. The total plot area of the project site is 1.989 ha. The proposed unit will be manufacturing 6480 TPA of Technical Grade Pesticides- 3360 TPA (Herbicides- 1200 TPA, Fungicides- 420 TPA, Insecticides- 1200 TPA, Other pesticides- 540 TPA) & Pesticide Intermediates- 3120 TPA. The estimated cost of the project for the proposed new manufacturing project is estimated around Rs. 25 crores.

It is located at coordinates of Longitude –73° 1'54.56"E and Latitude– 21°37'28.14"N.

Figure 1: Satellite imagery of the Unit

1.1 Details of the study area

The proposed project is Technical Grade Pesticides Manufacturing Unit which is located in an industrial area.

In the zone of 15 km around the project, one protected area Jama Masjid, Bharuch (8.89 Km, NNW) and

Water Bodies near the project site are GIDC Water Reservoir (2.67 Km SW), GNFC Lake (2.78 Km NW),

Amravati River (2.91 Km NE), Amla Khadi near Bhadkodra (3.29 Km SWW), Kondhki Khadi near Jitali (3.50 Km

SEE), Pond near Jalaram Nagar (4.06 Km NWW), Canal near Boidara (6.11 Km SWW), Narmada River (7.04 Km

NNW), Vtaria Lake (10.25 Km SE).

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Figure 2 Topographical Map with 10 km radius of the project site

1.2 Details of Ecological and Biodiversity Study

The study of Ecology and Biodiversity has been done for the core and buffer area. The detailed buffer zone species of Flora and Fauna and the core zone species are given below:

The present status of the ecology has been determined by study of secondary data sources such as publications of Zoological Survey of India, renowned authors, etc., study of maps and satellite images and visit to project site. From details survey of all the projects two schedule, I species Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl) and Varanus bengalensis (Indian Monitor Lizard) found in Project buffer zone. The details study of

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Conservation Plan of Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl) and Varanus bengalensis (Indian Monitor Lizard) given below. Table 1: Flora of Buffer Zone (Trees and Shrubs species) S.No Botanical Name Common name 1 Acacia catechu Khair 2 Acacia jacquemontii Baonḷi 3 Acacia nilotica Babul 4 Acacia planifrons Chatri Bawal 5 Acacia senegal Gorad 6 Alangium salvifolium Ankol 7 Albizia odoratissima sarasado 8 Anacardium occidentale Cashew 9 Annona cherimola Ramphal 10 Avicennia officinalis Cher 11 Azadirachta indica Limdo 12 Balanites aegyptia Ingoria 13 Bambusa arundinacea Bambusa bambos 14 Borassus flabellifer Tad 15 Butea Monosperma Khakra 16 Calotropis gigantea Moto akdo 17 Capparis aphylla Kerdo 18 Capparis grandis Dumro 19 Carica papaya Papaya 20 Cassia auriculata Avar 21 Cassia siamea Karamdi 22 Casuarinas equisetifolia Saru 23 Catunaregam spinosa Mindhol 24 Commiphora wightii Gugal 25 Cordia dichotoma Gunda 26 Dalbergia latifolia Sissoo 27 Delonix elata Sandasado 28 Dendrocalamus strictus Calcutta Bamboo 29 Diospyros melanoxylon East Indian ebony

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30 Euphorbia nivulia Kantharo Thar 31 Ficus benghalensis Vad 32 Ficus religiosa Peepal 33 Grewia tenax Gangeti 34 Grewia tiliaefolia Dhaman 35 Grewia villosa Hairy-Leaf Crossberry 36 Haldina cordifolia Haldu 37 Leptadenia spartium Khip 38 Magnolia grandiflora Southern magnolia 39 Mangifera indica Mango 40 Manilkara zapota Sapodilla 41 C Vingo 42 Miliusa tomentosa Hoom 43 Mitragyna parvifolia Kalam 44 Moringa oleifera Saruguva 45 Musa acuminata Banana 46 Myristica fragrans Nutmeg 47 Phoenix dactylifera Date palm 48 Phyllanthus emblica Amla 49 Polyalthia cerasoides Cherry Ashok 50 Premna obtusifolia Kundher 51 Prosopis cineraria Khijdo 52 Prosopis juliflora Vilayati Babool 53 Pterocarpus marsupium Indian kino tree, 54 Punica granatum Pomegranate 55 Rhizophora mucronata Karod 56 Salvadora persica Luno 57 Soyamida febrifuga Ron 58 Syzygium cumini Jamun 59 Tamarindus indica Imli 60 Tamarix dioica Achi 61 Tecomella undulata Rohido 62 Tectona grandis Teak

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63 Terminalia elliptica Saaj 64 Xeromphis uliginosa Gongad 65 Ziziphus nummularia Cheni bar (Source: Field survey done by Ecology & Biodiversity team and data of forest Department)

Table 2: Flora in the Buffer Zone (climbers, Herb and Grass Species) S.No Botanical Name Common name 1 Aeloropus lagopoides Kadvano 2 Arisida histricula Lomodu 3 Apluda mutica Bhongoru 4 Bothriochola ischaemum Dungri Zenzvo 5 Bothriochloa intermidia Saravu 6 Cynodon dactylon Daro 7 Cenchrus setigerus Dhramnu 8 Cymbopogon jwarancusa Gandharu 9 Dichanthium annulathum Jinjvo 10 Desmostachya bipinnata Darabh 11 Dinebra retrofelxa Khariu 12 Eleusine compressa Khovan 13 Heteropogon contortus Dab saliu 14 Sorghum halepense Baru 15 Sacchaum spontaneum Kans 16 Schima salcatum Saniar 17 Themeda cymbaria Ratad 18 Plantago ovata Isabgol 19 Foeniculum vulgare Fennel 20 Cuminum cyminum Cumin 21 Curcuma longa Turmeric Climber 22 Abrus precatorius Gunja 23 Cuscuta reflexa Amarvel 24 Celastrus paniculata Malkankan 25 Combretum decandrum Malvel 26 Pueraria tuberosa Vidari

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27 Rivea hypocrateriformis Fagvel 28 Tinospora cordifolia Galo 29 Cassytha filiformis Air creeper 30 Diploclisia glaucescens Vatan-vel (Source: Field survey done by Ecology & Biodiversity team and data of forest Department)

1.2.1 Faunal Community:

Core Zone: During study, it was found that the faunal diversity in the core site was limited to Butterflies, insects, like rats, monkey, dog, cat etc. and common . List of the fauna observed and reported during field visit is listed below.

Fauna of Core zone

Table 3: Fauna of Core Zone

TYPE COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SCHEDULE

Reptiles:

1 Oriental garden lizard Calotes versicolor IV

2 House lizards Hemidactylus frenatus -

3 Indian indicus

Mammals:

4 Northern palm squirrel Funambulus pennanti IV

5 Bat Pteropodidae V

6 Rat Rattus -

Aves:

7 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus IV

8 Crow Corvus splendens V

9 Jungle babbler Turdoides striata IV

10 Maina Acridotheres tristis IV

11 Pigeon Columba livia IV

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12 Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri IV

Butterflies

13 Common jay Graphium doson -

14 Common grass yellow Eurema hecabe -

Insects

15 Ant Formicidae -

16 Dragonfly Agrian sp -

17 Honey Bee Apis indica -

18 Spider Araneae -

(Source: Field survey done by Ecology & Biodiversity team)

Buffer Zone:

In the buffer Zone there is no RF or PF, so diversity of inland is very limited too few species of , Mammals, avifauna and data collected from secondary literature in buffer zone. Secondary data also collected from Narmada river.

Table 4: Fauna of Buffer Zone

TYPE SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SCHEDULE Amphibian: 1 Bufo bufo Common Toad IV 2 Rana tigrina Frog IV Reptiles: 3 Calotes versicolor Common Indian garden lizard IV 4 Hemidactylus flaviviridis House lizards - 5 Bungarus caeruleus Krait IV 6 Naja naja Indian Cobra II 7 Varanus bengalensis Indian Monitor Lizard I 8 Indotyphlops braminus Blind Snake - 9 Ptyas mucosus Dhaman II 10 Psammophis condanorus Sand snake -

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Mammals: 11 Funambulus pennantii Five striped palm squirrel IV 12 Herpestes edwardsii Common Mongoose II 13 Boselaphus tragocamelus Nilgai III 14 Hystrix indica Porcupine IV 15 Sus scrofa Wildbore III Aves: 16 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher IV 17 Anas acuta Northern pintail IV 18 Anas clypeata Northern shoveler IV 19 Anas crecca Eurasian teal or common teal IV 20 Anas penelope Eurasian wigeon IV 21 Anas poecilorhyncha Spot-billed duck IV 22 Anas strepera Gadwall IV 23 Ardea alba Great egret IV 24 Ardea cinerea Grey heron IV 25 Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret IV 26 Columbidae Dove IV 27 Columbidae Pigeon IV 28 Coturnix coturnix Common quail IV 29 Cuculidae Cuckoos IV 30 Dicrurus macrocercus Black drongo IV 31 Egretta egretta Little egret IV 32 Gallus sp Jungle fowl IV 33 Grus leucogeranus Common crane IV 34 Mycteria leucocephala Painted Stork IV 35 Passer domesticus House sparrow - 36 Pavo cristatus Indian peafowl I 37 Pelecanus onocrotalus Great white pelican IV 38 Phalacrocorax niger Little cormorant IV 39 Phoenicopterus rubber Flamingo IV 40 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy ibis IV 41 Podiceps cristatus Great crested grebe IV

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42 Pseudibis papillosa Red-naped ibis IV 43 Podiceps cristatus Great crested grebe - 44 Psittacidae Parakeet IV 45 Pycnonotidae Bulbul IV 46 Strigidae True owls IV 47 Acridotheres tristis Myna IV 48 Turdoides caudata) Common babbler IV Insects 50 Rhopalocera spp Butterflies - 51 Vespa orientalis Wasps - 52 Agrian sp Dragonfly - 53 Apis indica Honey Bee - 54 Musca domestica House fly - 55 Androctonus scorpion Scorpion - 56 Anguilliformes Eel - 57 Eleutheronema tetradactylum Indian Salmon - 58 Grenadier anchovies Coilia - 59 Harpadon nehereus Bombay duck - 60 Lampridiformes Ribbon Fish - 61 Mugilidae spp Mullet - 62 Oligoplites saurus Leather jacket - 63 Pampus argenteus White Pomfret - 64 Parastromateus niger Black Pomfret - 65 Perca fluviatilis European perch - 66 Polynemidae Thread Fin - 67 Scombridae Seer Fish - 68 Siluriformes spp. Cat fish - Crustacean 1. Fenneropenaeus indicus Indian prawn - (Source: Field survey done by Ecology & Biodiversity team)

ENDANGERED SPECIES

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There is only 2 schedule I Species found in buffer zone namely Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl) and Varanus bengalensis (Indian Monitor Lizard). Three schedule II species were also reported in the buffer zone namely Naja naja, Ptyas mucosus and Herpestes edwardsii.

Details conservation for schedule species I Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl) and Varanus bengalensis (Indian Monitor Lizard) are given below.

1.3 Principles of Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting wild plant and species and their habitat. Wildlife plays an important role in balancing the ecosystem and provides stability to different natural processes of nature like rainfall (transpiration from plant), changing of temperature (heat evolution by animals), fertility of soil (making of manure by earthworm). The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure that nature will be around for future generations to enjoy and also to recognize the importance of wildlife and wilderness for humans and other species alike. Many nations have government agencies and NGO's dedicated to wildlife conservation, which help to implement policies designed to protect wildlife. Numerous independent non- profit organizations also promote various wildlife conservation causes. An endangered species is defined as a population of a living species that is in the danger of becoming extinct because the species has a very low or falling population, or because they are threatened by the varying environmental or prepositional parameters like (landslides, increase in temperature above optimum temperature, acid rain). Wildlife is part of nature which maintain equally distribution of food instead of over use of food by one human. Wildlife management is the application of scientific knowledge and technical skills to protect, conserve, limit, enhance, or create wildlife habitat. Wildlife management also includes implementing laws regulating the use, kinds, and amounts of wildlife, people can harvest. Laws that protect existing habitat are also wildlife management tools.

1.4 Decline of Wildlife

Biological evolution on earth is associated with extinction of older species and descent of new species but the disappearance of species from the surface of the earth has speeded up 1000 to 10,000 times as compared to the natural disappearance, due to destructive activities of man. Important reasons for decline of wildlife are: • Habitat loss and degradation, along with behaviours like overhunting, • Hunting and poaching, • Man- animal conflict, • Pollution

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Chapter 2: Conservation Plan

2.1 Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Google image

2.1.1

Table 5: Taxonomical Classification of Peacock (International, 2016) Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Aves

Order Galliformes

Family Phasianidae

Sub family Phasianinae

Genus Pavo

Species cristatus

Vernacular Name Mor or Peacock

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The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) has been an integral part of the people of the India and their culture for centuries. From religion and mythology to civilization and socio-culture, the Indian Peafowl occupies an important place in the lives of the people. In addition to this, the Indian Peafowl is well recognized for its ecological and aesthetical values, and hence aptly declared as the 'National ' of India in the year 1963. Since the early 1990s, there have been reports of increasing illegal trade in peafowl feathers, large-scale mortalities due to increased use of insecticides/pesticides in agricultural lands, poaching, and retaliatory killings by people due to alleged crop depredation by peafowl. Several peafowl strong hold areas in the country are now concerned about the current declining status. Peacock which is in schedule-I of the wildlife (protection) Act 1972 is reported in the study area.

2.1.2 General description Peacock or Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a familiar and universally known large pheasant. It is the National bird of Indian. The term “Peacock” is commonly used to refer to of both sexes. Technically, males of are Peacock, females are peahens and together they are called peafowl. The male has a spectacular glossy green long tail feathers that may be more than 60 percent of the birds total body length. These feathers have blue, golden green and copper colored a celli (eyes). The long tail feathers are used for mating rituals like courtship displays. The feathers are arched into a magnificent shape across the back of the bird and almost touching on both sides. Females do not have these graceful tail feathers. They have the fan like crest with whitish face and throat, chestnut brown crown and hind neck, metallic green upper breast and mantle, white belly and brown back rump and tail. Their primaries are dark brown.

2.1.3 Morphology

Table 6: Morphological features of Peacock (Kushwaha & Kumar, 2016) Scientific Name Pavo cristatus

Type Bird

Diet Omnivore

Size (L) 86 cm-107 cm (34in- 42in)

Wing span 120cm-300cm (47in-118in)

Weight 2.7 Kg-6 Kg (6lbs-13.2lbs)

Top speed 16 Km/h (10 mph)

Life span 12-20 years

Lifestyle Solitary

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Conservation Status Schedule I (As per Wildlife protection act, 1972)

Average clutch size 6

Main Prey Grains, Seeds, Insects

Predators Dogs, Tigers, Wild Cats, Raccoon

Distinctive features Long tail feathers and Colorful tail of Males

2.1.4 Habitat It is found in moist and dry-deciduous forests, but can adapt to live in cultivated regions and around human habitations and is usually found where water is available. Size of the male tail feathers, its coloration and eyes determine the don menace of the male in peacock hierarchy. The females are believed to be attracted towards the male with longest and most colourful tail feathers.

2.1.5 Physical Characteristics The male Indian Peafowl, commonly known as the peacock, is one of the most recognizable birds in the world. The brightly coloured Indian peacock birds have a distinctive crest and an ornamental train. The train (1.4- 1.6 meters in length) accounts for more than 60% of their total body length (2.3 meters). Combined with a large wingspan (1.4-1.6 meters), this train makes the male peafowl one of the largest flying birds in the world. The train is formed by 100-150 highly specialized upper tail coverts. Each of these feathers sports an eye spot, and has long disintegrated barbs, giving the feathers a loose, fluffy look. When displaying to a female, the peacock bird erects this train into a spectacular fan, presenting the ocelli to their best advantage (Fowler, 2011)

Size of the male tail feathers, its coloration and numbers of eyes presents determine the dominance of the male in peacock hierarchy. The females are believed to be attracted towards the male with longest and most colourful tail feathers (Kushwaha & Kumar, 2016).

Table 7: Other physical Characteristics of peacock Body length Male 110-230 cm, Female: 85 cm

Weight 2750-6000gm

Habitat In the undergrowth in deciduous forests near streams and neighborhoods of villages and cultivated country and tall trees for roosting.

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2.1.6 Behaviour In the breeding season they are usually seen in small parties of one male three to five females whereas in the non-breeding season they remain in separate parties of adult males and females with juveniles. Peacock roost in tall trees and emerge from the dense thickets to feed in fields and opening in forests fields.

Call: Kee-ow, Kee-ow, Ka-an, Ka-an, Ka-an, Kok-kok, Kok-Kok, cain-kok,may-yow c Please incorporate the same. alls at dusk and dawn, also loud nasal calls and cackles, very noisy during the rains, when breeding.

Nesting: On tall Trees.

Breeding: Peak season in southern India is April to May and June in Northern India.

Other habits: Male sheds its colourful tail feathers during winters which grow again till autumn.

2.1.7 Food Habit Peacock are ground feeders. Indian peafowl’s do most of their foraging early in the morning and shortly before sunset. They retreat to the shade and security of the trees for the hottest portion of the day. They make a meal of grains, drupes of wild and some cultivated crops. They can also eat insects, small reptiles and small mammals (Fowler, 2011) .

2.1.8 Conservation and relationship with man The great beauty and popularity of the Indian Peafowl has ensured its protection throughout most of its native ranges. It enjoys the grace of the National Bird od India. The Peafowl is prominent in the mythology and folklore of the Indian people. The Hindus consider the bird to be sacred because of its association with Lord Krishna, who used to wear its feather as crown (Mor Mokut). It is also associated with the God Kartikey, son of the Lord Shiva and Parvati and brother of Lord Ganesha. It is “Vaahan” (transport) of Lord Kartikeya. This long and close association with humans has proven the Peafowl’s adaptability to human altered landscapes. In villages where it is protected, it becomes quite tame, but is very shy and secretive where hunted. Peacock is generally protected by the local people.

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2.2 Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis)

Google image 1.1 Taxonomy

Taxonomical Classification of Indian monitor lizard (International, 2016)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order:

Family:

Genus: Varanus

Subgenus: Empagusia

Species: V. bengalensis

2.2.1 General Description Bengal monitors or common Indian monitors (Varanus bengalensis) occur across much of southern Asia. Compared to other varanid lizards, Bengal monitors have a much larger geographic range, where they are considered less restricted both geographically and environmentally. This species is widely distributed from to Java, including southeastern Iraq, , and Afghanistan, and India, southern , , and China, North and South , Laos, and islands in the Strait of Malacca and the Greater Sunda Islands. (Auffenberg, 1994; Pianka, 1995)

2.2.2 Habitat Unlike other varanid lizards, Bengal monitors have the ability to cope with a broad range of environments, from deserts to rainforests to habitats having seasonally snowy winters. However, generally they are found in areas with continuously warm climates, with mean annual air temperatures of approximately 24 C. Most of southern Asia experiences seasonal monsoons and wind patterns influenced by neighbouring seas and

16 mountains. Thus, precipitation across much of the range for Bengal monitors is highly variable. Some habitat areas are relatively arid, with mean precipitation less than 200 mm per year. Other habitats are considerably more humid, with annual rainfall reaching 2,200 mm per year. The most common tropical forest habitats for Bengal monitors are deciduous, semi-deciduous, evergreen tropical forests, and thorn brush. (Auffenberg, 1994)

2.2.3 Physical Characteristics Adult Bengal monitors are generally grey or greenish-grey in color, with a ventral pattern of grey to black crossbars from the chin to the tail. These markings are generally darkest in the western parts and lightest in the eastern parts of the geographic range. These ventral markings typically become lighter, and the ground color darker, with age. Thus, adults display a less pronounced, less contrasting pattern than younger Bengal monitors.

In the wild, the heaviest recorded male Bengal monitor weighed 7.18 kg, though captive individuals have been reported to reach 10.2 kg. In the wild, males generally weigh 42% more than females. Males of the same snout to vent length (SVL) as females are typically 9.2% heavier. Young Bengal monitors, on average, weigh 0.078 kg. (Auffenberg, 1994)

2.2.4 Behaviour In the wild, Bengal monitors are almost completely solitary. Much of the daytime is spent in constant movement, searching for food. Bengal monitor are more likely to interact with one another during the peak breading season, when males compete for mates. (Auffenberg, 1994). There are no noted negative impacts of Varanus bengalensis on humans. Bengal monitors are not large enough to attack any livestock nor do they eat any human cultivated crops. They may eat any small mammals that they can easily catch.

2.2.5 Food Habit The diet of Bengal monitors is almost strictly carnivorous. They consume almost anything that is smaller than themselves and that they can easily overpower. They are known to scavenge carcasses of previously felled animals. Their documented observed prey species list is considerable, containing roughly 200 species. Common prey includes: annelids, insects, amphibians, smaller reptiles, birds, small mammals, and . Cannibalism of eggs, hatchlings, and even adults has been noted, although predation on adults is rare. As with most varanids, they swallow prey whole but are also capable of ripping and tearing flesh from larger animals and carcasses. At smaller body sizes for Bengal monitors, various beetles species represent the largest portion of their diet, averaging 52.8%. The second largest component of their diet is made up of orthopteran insects at 9.5%. The remainder of their diet is made up of other insects, crabs, rodents, reptiles, spiders, birds and almost any other animal they can reasonably consume. (Auffenberg, 1994). Primary Diet

17 carnivore eats terrestrial ’s insectivore eats non-insect scavenger. Animal Foods birds’ mammals’ amphibians’ reptiles’ carrion insect’s terrestrial non-insect arthropods.

2.2.6 Conservation Status According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Varanus bengalensis is a species of Least Concern. This is based on its wide geographic range. However, there are increasing pressures on the species. They are hunted for their meat, skins, and for use in medicine. Due to expanding human habitation and urbanization, the range threats to their population are likely to increase in the future. (Papenfuss, et al., 2010).

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Chapter 3: Baseline Information and Conservation Plan

Distribution of the animal in the project area: During the field survey, the bird was reported in the buffer zone of the project.

3.1 Anticipated Impact on Pavo cristatus

Table 8: Anticipated impact on Peacock present in Buffer zone 1. Loss of vegetation due to the Core Zone of existing land: increased manufacturing Plant No impact is envisaged as the project site is located within GIDC will cause displacement of notified industrial area which is earlier occupied by textile industry. Peafowl. No cutting of trees was involved as the land was vacant at the time of construction. The Peafowl and Indian Monitor lizard has been only reported in the Buffer Zone where the dominant species are Peepal, Neem, Aam, etc. However, Plantation will be done in Core Zone. Preference will be given to fast growing, ecological important, tolerant to air pollution trees are proposed for green belt. Plantation will increase the vegetation which will give shelter to other avifauna etc. Hence it will have positive impact on the environment. 2. Noise from construction work Plantation will be done along the periphery of the core zone. This may have little effect on the will help mitigate the impact of Noise. migration of Indian Peafowl.

3.2 Conservation Measures for Fauna with respect to project proponent

I. Strategy: Will make it an essential component of the project to look after the well-being of the animal in its natural habitat.

II. Protection and development of habitat: Will keep vigil on illicit felling and illegal grazing in the nearby area. All other activities which may damage the habitat will be kept on watch.

III. Strategy to enhance food supply: Planting of fruit and berries bearing species in the project area will be carried out. In the core zone, the grain-feeding trays will be provided to get feed along with artificial water body.

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IV. Creation of tree groves: It will help the bird provide very good shelter for resting and roosting. The increased number of trees will increase flowering and hence the insects and butterflies which may serve the assured food supply. Plantation will be done with a difference of 100 m from the project boundary.

VI. Awareness strategy: It will be ensured through regular awareness programs and through publicity by way of signage’s, posters, bill distributions, public meetings, announcements, student’s awareness sessions etc. with the help of forest department.

3.3 Specific Conservation Measures in consultation with forest department

a) Plantation details and programs: Preferred roosting trees for the peacocks are Azadirachta indica, Prosopis juliflora, Albizia lebeck, Dalbergia sissoo, Mimusops elengi etc. The plantation of these trees would be specifically taken up in the Green belt area of the Project with consultation with forest department. b) Small earthen material lined water tanks will be created in the Core-zone Green area as well as select areas in the Buffer Zone to make sure availability of clean drinking water to the Peacocks. The availability of clean water will ensure a permanent stay of peafowl in these areas because peafowl are effectively confined to undisturbed water sources during the dry months. c) Awareness program: Gardeners and farmers would be encouraged to use natural manure such as cow dung and vermicompost (compost prepared by earthworms which convert organic waste into manure) instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to maintain flower beds and plants that mostly kill insects and seasonal weeds (food of peafowl) which limit peafowl food supply. Insects are an important prey-item for peafowl during the incubation period and for juvenile’s growth. Awareness generation like in schools, setting up of interpretation zones, etc. for next five years. (includes farmers and local villagers) d) Litter burning will be discouraged strictly. Litter burning practices destruct peafowl habitat and destroy feeding material and removes the cover and nesting materials necessary for shelter and protection from predators. e) Dogs movement in the proposed project area will be controlled. Dogs have a detrimental effect on peafowl’s nesting and roaming behaviour. Dogs also lead to hardening the soil by decreasing the vegetation of the area through continuous roaming and sitting at the same place, thereby making a search for food more difficult for peafowl. f) People will not be allowed to feed peafowl which infects them and starts a competition with other urban birds such as feral pigeons and common myna.

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Chapter 4: Project Budget

The Proponent has proposed a sum of Rs 9 Lakhs (Capital Cost) and 2.2 Lakhs (Recurring Cost) for conservation of species under the following heads. The estimates are prepared for the project area in which many activities are common to all the species as mentioned in the relevant places in the estimates. The total financial plan is also specifically mentioned in the table below:

Table 9: Budget for conservation

Capital Cost

S. No. Component Provision in Lakhs

1 Plantation in association with Chief wildlife warden 2.5

2 In consultation with Chief Wildlife warden developing safety 3.0

walls or net with 100 m of project area

3 Awareness generation programs in consultation with Chief 2.5 Wildlife warden like in schools, setting up of interpretation zones, etc. for next five years. (includes farmers and local

villagers)

4 Purchase and donation of GPS and camera 1.5

Total 9 lakhs

Recurring Cost

S. No. Component Provision in Lakhs

1 Maintenance of protective measures 0.6

2 Provision of Food and water for fauna 0.6

3 Awareness Programs like in schools, setting up of 1.0 interpretation zones, etc. for next five years. (includes farmers and local villagers)

Total 2.2 lakhs

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