CHAPTER 2 •V H mStudy Area Chapter 2. Study Area
2 STUDY AREA
2.1 Ujani wetland - a potential Ramsar site
The present study deals with detailed Ujani wetland which is one such wetland that has a potential to be one of the Ramsar sites but is in a great neglect. The wetland is located in western part of Maharashtra State.
This study would be useful in bringing out to the notice, the status and the importance of Ujani wetland, so that a serious conservation action is planned and the wetland is given a due conservation status and duly protected.
2.2 Location
This wetland is a part of Upper Bhima Basin located on the western side of South Indian peninsula. River Bhima is a tributary of river Krishna and it originates in the ranges of Western Ghats. The wetland lies at Latitude - 18°04'23"N, Longitude- 75°07'15"E with an altitude (above mean sea level) of 544 m and can be approached by National Highway number 9 (NH 9). The core area of the wetland is located between 100 km to 110 km from Pune (Figure 2.1).
Ujani wetland is the terminal reservoir of Upper Bhima Basin. Drainage map (Figure 2.2) showing various major tributaries that drain into this reservoir along with several dams that are located in its catchment.
Upper Bhima Basin: The upper region of river Bhima upto Ujani reservoir is known as upper Bhima basin. The river Bhima is East flowing river that rises at an elevation of about 1000 m above mean sea level in the ranges of Western Ghats. The river Bhima traverses about 305 km of distance upto Ujani reservoir and further down about 140 km to meet river Krishna in the Andhra Pradesh state. The catchment of Ujani reservoir is spread over 14712 sq km and is fed by about 10 significant tributaries with a total length of about 1140 km. The major tributaries are Ambi, Mutha, Mula, Pawana, Lidrayani, Andhra, Bhima, Ghod, Meena and Kukadi. Figure 2.1 shows the major tributaries and other reservoirs in the upstream region.
21 Figure 2.1. Location Map of Study Area
Various Dams from Pune District N.Ol-oSl- _l_ -L J-
T r N.92o8l. N,02c8l. N,91.o8l. N.OI.08I. N,9o81. Chapter 2. Study Area
2.3 Ujani wetland reservoir description
The Ujani reservoir came into being due to the construction of irrigation dam built across the river Bhima at Ujani in 1979, in district Solapur of Maharashtra State. The catchment area of the dam is 14712 sq. km with gross storage capacity of the reservoir being 3320 million cubic meters divided into 1518 million cubic meters of live storage and 1802 million cubic meters of dead storage. There is diversion of about 89 Mcum of water through gravitational canal/tunnel to irrigate 48000 ha of land in the Basin of Sina River. Balance of water is used to irrigate 126000 ha of drier part of Solapur district. There is a difference of only 5.80 m between the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) and Minimum Draw-Down Level (MDDL) showing that much of the reservoir is having shallow fringe area. Due to this availability of vast shallow water region, Ujani wetland gains unique importance as a habitat for avifauna.
Wetland habitat for avifauna * ' if
2.4 Legal status of the Ujani Wetland
The land of this wetland is possessed by Irrigation Department. The wetland was declared closed for hunting under section 37 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 wide notification No. WLP/1086/27206/CR-39/86/(IV)/F5 dated lO"" October, 1986. Eventually wetland was declared as wildlife sanctuary for conservation of birds i.e. 'Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary' (28'*' Oct, 1991) and then subsequently due to socio-political pressures de-reserved (15"^ Oct, 1992). Following are the details:
22 Chapter 2. Study Area
2.4.1 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
No. WLP - 1089/Para - No. 26/F - 5 - Whereas, it appears to the Government of Maharashtra that the area described in the Schedule hereto appended ("thereinafter referred as 'the said area') by reasons of its ecological, faunal, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance needs to be constituted as a wildlife sanctuary for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life therein or its environment; and whereas, the Government of Maharashtra has decided that the said area shall be known as the "Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary"; now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), the Government of Maharashtra hereby -
declares its intention to constitute the said area as a Wildlife Sanctuary known as the "Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary"; and
defines the limits thereof as set out in the said schedule
Schedule
Situation and limits of Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary included in Pune, Solapur and Ahmednagar districts.
a. Name of Forest Divisions included in the Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary - Pune Forest Division, Solapur Forest Division, Ahmednagar Forest Division
b. Particulars of the area included in Ujani Wetland Bird Sanctuary
i. Area under submergence of 79 villages (as per appendix hereto) bounded by FRL 1630 contour FRL (Full Reservoir level of Ujani dam) - 28754. 28 ha
ii. Area other than submerged land (Buffer area) - 7897. 00 ha
36651. 28 ha i.e. 366. 51 sq. km.
c. Boundaries -
North: Area acquired for the purpose of Ujani dam by Irrigation Department starting from marked boundary at FRL 1630 contour in
23 Chapter 2. Study Area
villages Sangvi, Bittergaon, Dhokri, Wangi, Dahigaon, Chikhalthan, Kugaon, Kedgaon, Sogaon, Umrad, Undergaon, Manjargaon, Washimbe, Kettur, Pavewadi, Hingni, Pomalwadi, Khatgaon, Takli, Kondhar, Chincholi, Katraj, Jinti (Karmala Tahsil) Village Babulgaon, Shimpore, Akhoni, Khed, Autewadi, Ganeshwadi, Bhambore, Dudhodi, Berdi, Siddhtek, Jalalpur (Karjat Tahsil) and Pedgaon (Shrigonda Tahsil)
East: Area acquired for the purpose of Ujani dam by Irrigation Department starting from marked boundary at FRL 1630 contour in villages Ujani, Shiral, Surli, Akole, Foot Jalgaon (Madha Tahsil) village Kandhar, Kavitgaon (Karmala Tahsil).
South: Area acquired for the purpose of Ujani dam by Irrigation Department, starting from marked boundary at FRL 1630 contour in village Taratgaon, Kandalgaon, Shaha, Malwadi, Pimpri, Sugaon, Ajoti, Takli, Chandgaon, Existing Zilla Parishad Road from village Chandgaon to Loni Deokar (inclusive of road) from Loni along National Highway No. 9 to Bhigwan (inclusive of road), and also including the projections of reservoir, beyond National Highway which includes area bounded by FRL 1630 contour and acquired by Irrigation Department at Palasdeo, Dalaj, Madanwadi and at Bhigwan, along tar road to Khed upto marked boundary at FRL 1630 in village Rajegaon (including projections beyond road at Bhigwan bounded by FRL 1630 contour acquired by Irrigation Department) from Rajegaon along marked boundary at FRL 1630 contour in villages Naigaon, Malthan, Hingni, Berdi, Deulgaon, Raje, Shirapur, Pedgaon, Wadgaon, Darekar (Daund Tahsil).
West: Area acquired for the purpose of Ujani dam by Irrigation Department along marked boundary at FRL 1630 contour in village Ajnuj (Shrigonda Tahsil) to village Watluj, Arvi (Daund Tahsil)
All island in the Ujani reservoir within the specified limits (boundaries) are included in the sanctuary d. Area of Ujani Wetland Sanctuary - 36651.28 ha or 36651 ha i.e. 366.51 sq. km.
24 Chapter 2. Study Area
2.5 Study ofBhadalwadi lake c This 55 acre lake was built by British as a Balancing reservoir for storing water that comes from Khadakwasla lake that is located more than 130 km upstream, even upstream of Pune city. It is situated just about a kilometer from the National Highway between villages Bhadalwadi and Dalaj II. As and when required water is released from Khadakwasla lake through canal and near village Bhadalwadi it is released into small stream that feeds this lake. The lake water is used for irrigation. The wall of this lake is almost touching the FRL of the Ujani reservoir. The lake is excellent ground for fish cultivation. On the peripheral region there is luxurious growth of aquatic vegetation, though weeds like Prosopis, Ipomoea and some individuals of Acacia. The lake serves as an excellent site for roosting and breeding (Figure 2.3).
View of Bhadalwadi lake
2 6 Topography of Catchment of Ujani wetland
Catchment represents high rainfall zone (about 25% of the catchment) along the eastern slope of the Sahyadri mountain range is followed by moderately undulating land (about 55% of the catchment) having rolling topography and interspersed frequently by small streams and rivers. Only about 20% area on the banks of the river is of alluvial deposits of sand and silt and is fertile. All the river courses are deep and well defined. Normal river floods are contained within the river channels and rivers don't change their course. Land slopes are steep in hilly areas, moderate in the plains and flatter on the banks of streams. Flood problem is
25 I.I 111
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•a c i! T3 (D n V O 10 a. b •D •o 2 « O) (1) O) c 5 0) 0] iS o 1) E e E E (U 0) "O Q Z c a) w (/) I a Chapter 2. Study Area
hence localized mainly to the low-lying areas in cities and towns. Most of the rivers are ephemeral and do not have any flow in the summer season.
The flow of water is from north to south and the wetland is surrounded by undulating broken hills and agricultural lands. Ten major tributaries having a total length of 1140 km feed the reservoir. The water from agricultural fields on either side of the bank drains into this wetland.
2.7 Soil Classification Soil Type Percentage Reddish brown along hill slopes 38 Coarse grained shallow soil 12 Medium deep black soil 26 Deep black soil 24
Source: Ranade, 2002
2.8 Climate and Rainfall
Catchment receives South - West monsoon precipitation (mid June to mid September) having highest of about 6000 mm near the ridge at the Southern end, but reduces to about 2000 mm within a distance of 20 km towards East, to 1000 ' (km)within the next 15 km and to a lowest of about 460 mm in the lower parts of the catchment in the East. Precipitation of 6000 mm at the South - West ridge reduces to about 2000 mm at the North - West end of the ridge. Nearly 60% of the catchment area in the lower part receives precipitation less than 600 mm and is often subjected to severe drought conditions. Average annual rainfall over the catchment is 1096 mm, with month wise break up as follows-
The climate over the entire catchment varies from moist tropical in the source region of the rivers to dry tropical in the immediate vicinity of Ujani dam.
The rainfall for fifty years shows that it sometimes exceeds 600 cm per year, in the rain shadow areas of the Western Ghats near the Ujani dam. It is usually about 85 mm per annum. More than 50% of the rainfall is received in the month of July and August. (Figure 2.4). Maximum and minimum temperature varies from a minimum of 10°C in January to over 40°C in April-May.
26 Chapter 2. Study Area
Figure 2.4: Annual Average Rainfall (1901-1950)
Jan Feb. Mar Apr. May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months
2.8.1 Rainfall behavior within study area
The rainfall recorded by the Command Area Development Authority (CADA), located at Solapur of Department Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra at six rain gauge stations located within the catchment area of the Ujani wetland show very unique behavior. About 12 years of rainfall data from year 1991 to 2002 of stations located at Bhigwan, Daund, Indapur of Pune District, Karjat of Ahmednagar District and Bhimanagar and Tembhurni of Solapur District has been analyzed (Figure 2.5).
Rainfall shows seasonal nature and is distributed from the month of May to November. Sometimes it starts in April and extends upto December. Highest rainfall is seen in months of June-July and September-October. Occurrence of heavy pre-monsoon showers in the month of May appears to be a regular feature. The poor, exposed soils and dry climate during preceding months coupled with heavy rainfall in the month of May must definitely be contributing significantly to siltation in Ujani wetland. All these six station do not show uniform rainfall pattern. Highest annual rain fall in these twelve years has been reported in the year 1998 at all stations but it is with a
27 •a c Si c re c s3 3
(Q M a; bo 3 re bo •i re ^c T *re J5 fiC ^ a a
Lna fM
Second highest period of rain appears to be in the year 1996 at Karjat (1155 mm), Bhimanagar (734 mm) and in the years 1997 at Indapur (812 mm) and during 2001 at Tembhurni (775 mm).
Among all stations least rainfall was reported at Bhigwan during the year 1994, which was just 76 mm. Bhigwan region appears to be in rain shadow zone For the details of behavior of rain refer tables 2.1 to 2.6 and figure 2.6 (a-f).
Highest monthly rainfall was in the month of September followed by June.
Even though rain is distributed from month of May to November, few showers have also been reported in rest of the months throughout the year, of course not annually but during few months of this observation period.
This rainfall pattern has tremendous impact on the time of migration, feeding and breeding behavior of birds.
Nesting Colony of Painted Stork at Bhadalwadi
28 Chapter 2. Study Area
Table 2.1: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of Ujani Dam from 1991 to 2002; Station: Bhigwan, District: Pune
Month Total Sr. Year Rainfall No. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1992 0 0 0 0 0 36 79 83 65 42 0 0 305 2 1993 0 0 0 0 0 27 93 43 49 265 0 0 477 3 1994 0 0 0 18 36 0 0 0 0 22 0 0 76 4 1995 0 0 0 0 0 0 104 9 169 44 0 0 326 5 1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 0 45 0 0 121 6 1997 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 109 0 132 7 1998 0 0 0 0 0 0 184 0 227 125 0 0 536 8 1999 0 8 0 0 20 80 48 1 201 139 0 0 497 9 2000 0 0 0 0 0 68 57 122 73 69 0 0 389 10 2001 0 0 0 0 14 77 0 90 88 169 0 0 438 11 2002 0 9 0 4 0 55 13 50 44 14 0 0 189 Average 0 2 0 2 6 33 53 43 83 85 10 0 317 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra
Table 2.2: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of Ujani Dam from 1991 to 2002; Station: Daund, District: Pune
Month Total Sr. Year Rainfall No. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1991 0 0 0 0 30 297 43 2 140 1 3 0 516 2 1992 0 0 0 0 0 79 46 82 150 17 32 0 406 3 1993 0 0 0 8 8 25 96 36 22 180 10 106 491 4 1994 2 0 0 79 63 91 86 23 5 43 2 0 394 5 1995 17 0 0 0 50 57 47 7 165 81 0 0 424 6 1996 0 0 0 5 43 93 94 81 96 115 1 0 528 7 1997 8 0 0 19 0 64 35 66 72 80 202 32 578 8 1998 0 0 0 0 14 154 66 97 279 126 29 0 765 9 1999 0 4 0 51 31 121 72 21 139 126 7 0 572 10 2000 0 0 0 0 18 87 45 77 39 73 12 4 355 11 2001 0 0 0 13 0 66 13 27 97 165 0 0 381 12 2002 0 0 0 23 3 83 4 105 175 44 6 0 443 Average 2 0 0 17 22 101 54 52 115 88 25 12 488 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
29 Chapter 2 Study Area
Table 2.3: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of UjaniDa m from
1991 to 2002; Station: Indapur, District: Pune.
Month Total Sr. Year Rainfall No. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1991 0 0 0 1 12 169 44 13 144 20 3 0 406 2 1992 0 0 0 0 0 26 40 159 81 24 5 0 335 3 1993 0 0 0 0 13 48 48 108 41 290 8 48 604 4 1994 0 0 0 18 29 192 59 73 10 33 38 0 452 5 1995 27 0 0 4 0 77 86 34 57 93 0 0 378 6 1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 161 61 189 0 0 0 411 7 1997 20 0 0 0 0 67 181 24 140 339 41 0 812 8 1998 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 380 426 0 46 0 852 9 1999 0 0 0 0 0 84 72 15 117 134 0 0 422 10 2000 0 0 0 0 0 180 95 207 40 32 1 0 555 11 2001 0 0 0 0 3 47 4 177 131 97 27 0 486 12 2002 0 0 0 0 0 115 22 42 65 0 0 0 244 Averag e 4 0 0 2 5 84 68 108 120 89 14 4 496 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Table 2.4: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of Ujani Dam from 1991 to 2002; Station: Karjat, District: Ahmednagar
Month Total Sr. Year Rainfall No. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1991 0 0 0 0 18 229 49 0 152 2 0 0 450 2 1992 0 0 0 0 0 35 55 70 146 12 3 0 321 3 1993 0 0 0 0 0 37 109 42 58 268 9 105 628 4 1994 0 0 0 18 44 125 100 55 12 49 7 0 410 5 1995 13 0 18 0 49 33 52 7 349 161 0 0 682 6 1996 0 0 0 0 0 292 265 149 358 91 0 0 1155 7 1997 0 0 7 5 30 140 141 58 184 116 94 30 805 8 1998 0 0 0 0 5 298 209 109 302 263 84 0 1270 9 1999 0 0 0 0 120 297 96 8 136 113 0 0 770 10 2000 0 0 0 0 45 244 47 274 93 0 0 0 703 11 2001 0 0 0 0 0 44 29 271 218 339 0 0 901 12 2002 0 0 0 0 0 131 22 95 128 0 0 0 376 Average 1 0 2 2 26 159 98 95 178 118 16 11 706 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
30 Chapter 2. Study Area
Table 2.5: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of Ujani Dam from 1991 to 2002; Station Bhimanagar, District: Solapur
Month Total Sr. Year Rainfall No. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1991 0 0 0 1 1 184 62 16 161 0 0 0 425 2 1992 0 0 0 0 0 96 44 161 110 16 0 0 427 3 1993 0 0 0 28 0 31 52 82 72 44 0 0 309 4 1994 0 0 0 0 4 182 56 52 3 15 0 0 312 5 1995 47 0 13 2 32 26 94 8 151 173 0 0 546 6 1996 0 0 0 5 3 41 203 62 231 189 0 0 734 7 1997 0 6 10 0 0 40 129 21 83 165 83 7 544 8 1998 0 0 0 0 2 142 203 291 251 234 16 0 1139 9 1999 0 7 0 0 106 72 43 9 88 158 0 0 483 10 2000 0 0 0 0 7 180 192 197 51 28 0 0 655 11 2001 0 0 0 2 1 90 13 171 81 127 1 0 486 12 2002 0 0 0 16 4 130 26 58 96 71 111 0 512 Average 4 1 2 5 13 101 93 94 115 102 18 1 548 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Table 2.6: Monthly Rainfall Data Recorded in Catchment Area of Ujani Dam from 1991 to 2002; Station: Tembhurni, District: Solapur
Sr. Month Total Year No. Rainfall Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec (mm) 1 1991 0 0 0 0 0 192 64 25 124 8 0 0 413 2 1992 0 0 0 0 0 96 65 75 90 19 8 0 353 3 1993 0 0 0 0 0 18 62 99 48 198 0 69 494 4 1994 0 0 0 0 0 95 33 46 5 62 70 0 311 5 1995 104 0 8 0 0 39 26 15 196 83 4 0 475 6 1996 0 0 0 0 0 35 197 131 265 122 0 0 750 7 1997 0 0 0 5 2 27 138 44 99 114 59 9 497 8 1998 0 0 0 0 0 165 185 206 244 192 5 0 997 9 1999 0 3 0 0 0 68 19 0 76 189 0 0 355 10 2000 0 0 0 0 32 221 129 453 55 26 0 0 916 11 2001 0 0 0 0 0 106 10 191 313 155 0 0 775 12 2002 0 0 0 46 28 142 25 58 114 128 48 0 589 Average 8.67 0.25 0.67 4.25 5.17 100. 33 79.42 111.92 135. 75 108.0 16.17 6.50 577
Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
31 Chapter 2. Study Area
Figure 2.6: Rainfall behavior at six rain gauge station
a. TOTAL RAINFALL (mm) Bhigwan a1. Monthly AVR. (mm) Bhigwan
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 JAN FEB MAR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Year Avg.mm
b1. Monthly AVR. (mm) Daund
91 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Year Avg.mni
32 Chapter 2. Study Area
Figure 2.6: Rainfall behavior at six rain gauge station
d. TOTAL RAINFALL (mm) Karjat 1400
1200
1000
£ 800 1 ^°°
400
200
0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999 2000 2001 2002 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Year Avg.rnm
e. TOTAL RAINFALL (mm) Bhimanagar el. Monthly AVR. (mm) Bhimanagar 140 ^m 120 /v 100 E E 80 /^*~^ \ / \ •£ 60 / \ (E / \ 40
20 Ji/ V \ i 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Avg. m m
f. TOTAL RAINFALL (mm) Tembhurni f1. Monthly AVR. (mm) Tembhurni
91 1992 1fl93 994 1995 1996 1997 1991 1999 2000 2001 2002 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Year Avg.rnm
33 Chapter 2. Study Area
2.9 Geology
The entire area is covered with basaltic flows of Deccan trap and is traversed with dykes interrupted at places. At some places, intra-trappeans are equipped in the form of sheets. These sheets vary in thickness of upto 4-5m. Groundwater exists under weathered and fractured basaltic formations in semi-confined and confined aquifers. Water table is from 15m to 17m below ground level. Calcite occurs at some places in the basalt as a secondary mineral. It is opaque, rhomboidal in shape and its colour is dirty white. Gas cavities in vesicular and amygdaloidal basalt are filled with this secondary mineral. The typical soil derived from the Deccan trap is black cotton soil. The entire area is occupied by sequence of Basaltic flows of n Deccan Trap age. Thin quaternary deposits are seen along the course of Bhima River, comprising of fluvial conglomerate, siltstone, gravel and clay.
The black soil contains aluminum and carbonates of calcium and magnesium with variable quantities of potash, nitrogen and phosphate. The soil is generally less porous and swells with addition of water. These soils are of 3 types-Black soil found at the base of the steep hills and along the sides of rivers. Gray soil mixed with murrum, found at a depth of 0.3 to 0.8m and is found all over the tract on hill slopes. Brown soil/murrum is found at shallow depths or on stretches of land on moderate to steep slopes.
2.10 Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
DEM is digital representation of ground surface topography or terrain. It is basically a continuous raster file, where each pixel contains elevation value of the terrain. In the present study DEM (Figure 2.7) has been interpolated using contours from Survey of India toposheets. The elevation varies from 460 to 591 m above mean sea level. The low lying area is situated near the reservoir whereas the North Western part has comparatively high elevation values.
Slope - Slope identifies the steepest downhill for a locadon on the surface. In the present study the slope map was derived using the DEM of the area. The entire area can be broadly divided into two with nearly flat area (0 - 1.61) covering
34 N..0.S2=8l N..0.02.81 N.,0.9U8l N..0.01.81 N.0.S.8I. I I
N„0.92o8V N„0.0E.8l N..0.Sl-o8l N..0.0lo8l N.,0.9.8V Chapter 2. Study Area
about 86% of the study area and moderately slope area (1.62 - 4.9) degree covering the rest 14% area under low to high elevation. (Table 2.7 and Figure 2.8)
Table 2.7: Slope Classification of the study area
Slope in Degree Slope Group 0-1.61 Nearly flat 1.62-4.9 Moderately sloping
Aspect - describes the compass direction a slope or hill faces. In the present study, (Figure 2.9) since there is no considerable slope variation, about 24.8% of the land is flat with nearly 12% of the land falling under South East and North West aspect each respectively. Rest of the study area share nearly equal distribution except the North Eastern aspect which is 3.2% of the total area.
2.11 Land use pattern within catchment
Table 2.8: Land use pattern within catchment Sr. No. Land use Area in ha %of Geographical area 1 Geographical area 1471000 100.0 2 Forest Land 149000 10.1 3 Land not available for 200000 13.6 cultivation a) Waste land - 132000 b) Land under non 68000 agricultural use - 4 Cultivable fallow 31000 2.1 5 Pasture land 63000 4.3 5 Other fallow land 75000 5.1 6 Land under plough 953000 64.8 7 Cultivable land 1122000 76.3 8 Double cropped area 164000 9 Total area under crop 1117000 10 Cropping intensity 117 Source: Ranade, 2002
35 '.•• r •:c ••:• I I • E
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1 1 N„0.g2o8L N„0.02o8L N.,0.9U8l N.,0.0U8l. N,.0,S»8l. N,.0.0o8L Chapter 2. Study Area
2.12 Fluctuations in water levels
The monthly water levels decide the nature of fringe area, exposure of the bank, availability of forage, etc. The arrival birds and later their behavior: feeding, roosting, nesting, etc. depends on the extent of draw-down. It is observed that winter birds arrive late if water levels remain high. Even though there are a lot of year to year fluctuations, the water starts receding to levels making winter birds to arrive sometimes by mid February and remain low till the end of July. Lowest water levels are seen from May to mid July. This is the best season for migratory avifauna. Even the breeding activity is restricted to this period. By the end of July almost all chicks are ready to fly off.
Out of fourteen years of the data that was made available by Water Resources Department, for six years water levels had gone below MDDL. These years were 2003, 2001, 2002, 1996, 1995 and 2000 in order of lowest to higher water levels but below MDDL. Water levels were close to MDDL during years 1992, 1993 and 1998. Highest water levels during summer remained in the year 1991 followed by years 2003 and 1989 (Figure 2.10).
Table 2.9: Water availability since 1990
Monthly Average Water Levels Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 1990 495.64 495.21 494.71 493.95 493.23 493.63 494.41 495.54 496.26 496.77 496.84 496.67 1991 496.36 495.98 495.48 494.74 494.01 494.13 494.35 495.03 496.11 496.57 496.02 495.52 1992 495.10 494.58 493.98 493.19 492.38 491.48 491.19 494.58 496.49 496.65 495.99 495.46 1993 494.92 494.35 493.52 492.91 491.97 491.46 493.71 495.63 496.45 496.90 496.71 496.55 1994 496.36 495.96 495.34 494.47 493.38 493.21 494.99 495.35 496.19 495.90 495.60 495.02 1995 494.67 494.18 493.43 492.40 491.12 490.06 489.82 492.02 493.58 494.76 494.39 493.81 1996 493.09 492.34 491.45 490.21 489.15 488.77 490.17 496.01 496.51 496.85 496.75 496.76 1997 495.73 495.20 494.56 493.59 492.50 491.77 492.75 496.33 496.63 496.49 496.46 496.71 1998 496.35 495.67 494.84 493.37 492.28 491.30 492.68 494.84 496.49 496.79 496.87 496.43 1999 495.88 495.33 494.60 493.49 492.47 492.19 493.94 495.29 495.28 496.70 496.43 495.60 2000 494.80 494.00 493.28 492.00 490.43 490.48 491.52 492.40 493.70 493.89 493.52 492.43 2001 491.94 490.75 490.05 488.79 487.84 487.30 489.03 490.93 491.67 492.88 492.99 492.50 2002 491.97 491.52 490.70 489.83 488.76 488.57 489.66 492.36 494.30 493.96 493.53 492.56 2003 491.94 490.87 490.11 488.95 487.63 486.67 486.86 489.80 490.40 490.43 490.37 490.33 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra.
36 Chapter 2. Study Area
2.13 Submergence and water storage capacity
Ujani wetland is located on plains. This is the reason that spread of water is considerable. The FRL level is 497.157m and MDDL is 491.357m indicating that there is difference of only about 5.80m. If we see area capacity table (table 2.10) and the graphs (Figure 2.10), we realize that much of the water is locked a dead storage (water column below MDDL). If we carefully observe with slight increase / in water lever area covered increases sharply indicating vast shallow expanse of water. This nature of waterbody actually gives unique character that is responsible for making Ujani wetland so suitable as a bird habitat.
Table 2.10: Area Capacity Table
Water levd Area covered Cumulative Capacity Sr.No (m) (Msqm) (MCM) 1 491 197.00 1796. 886 2 492 216.00 2003.313 3 493 236.00 2229.239 4 494 261.20 2477.738 5 495 286.80 2751.633 6 496 312.00 3050. 944 7 497 340.00 3377.450 8 498 368.60 3731.654 Source: Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra
Figure 2.10 Area Capacity Graph 4000
491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 Water Levels in meters -Area covered in Msqm -Cumuiative capacity in MCM
37