Scheme (Project) Proposal

MITIGATIVE MEASURES AGAINST ACTIVITIES (PROPOSED) IN ECO- SENSITIVE ZONE AREA BY GMR ENTERPRIZES PRIVATE LIMITED, NEW DELHI IN CORINGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KAKINAD WILDLIFE RANGE OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM. Action Plan

INTRODUCTION: The mangrove forests of Godavari delta extend over 32222.17 ha (322.22 Sq.Km.). Out of this, 235.70 Sq. Km. of reserve Forest of Tallarevu and I. Polavaram Mandals have been declared as Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary under the Management control of Wildlife Management Division, Rajahmundry.

The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary with the estuarine and mangrove forest area of Coastal region in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh is located at the confluence of the River Godavari with the Bay of Bengal. The Northern part of the Sanctuary is covered by the back waters of the Kakinada Bay. Kakinada Bay is made up of estuary of river Godavari covers an area of about 29.0 sq. km. The bay is fringed on the southern side by mud flats and thick mangrove swamps. The Kakinada spit present on the eastern side of the bay running north to south in direction acts as artificial embankment. Its shoreline habitats include mangrove swamps, tidal flats, channels and shallow bar built bay towards north. The eastern side is bounded by the Bay of Bengal. It is located at 12 km. south of Kakinada which is a fast developing industrial city and attracts city dwellers for recreation.

The Coastal and marine environment of this region plays a vital role in supporting human welfare by virtue of its immense biological and mineral resources and the life-supporting systems it provides. Production operations and economic installations along the coast, such as marine fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, oil and gas exploration, ports and harbours, and tourism, have been contributing significantly to the regional economy. Like elsewhere, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining Mangrove landscape, plays a crucial role in regional economic and livelihood development besides providing various ecosystem services essential as life supporting system for the East Godavari region. Unfortunately this ecosystem getting whittled away due to high degree of anthropogenic pressures and needs to be addressed immediately through restorative processes. IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES

Ecosystem service provided by Mangroves of East Godavari Coastal region

a) Provisioning services: i) Food: Mangroves here are permanent or temporary habitats for many aquatic animals such as fin fish, shell fish, crustaceans and are hatching and nursery grounds for many marine fish. It is estimated that up to 80 percent of regional fish catches are directly or indirectly dependent on mangroves. ii) Timber and fuel wood: The villagers of this region mostly use the timber of Mangrove flora to build houses and make furniture, rafters, fences, bridges, poles, boats and as fuel wood.

iii) Medicines: There were a few traditional uses for mangroves and associates like Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., Clerodendron inerme, Dalbergia spinosa Roxb. Derris trifoliate Lour. and Hibiscus tiliaceus. The bark of Ceriops decandra is prepared traditionally to enhance the durability of the fishing nets. The barks of many species produce gums and tannins, which are still used for curing leather and strengthening fish nets.

iv) Other non-timber forest products (NTFPs): The breathing roots of Sonneratia species are used to make corks and fish floats. Mangrove plants are sources of sodium, and the ash of some species, such as Avicennia, is used as soap.

v) Enrichment of Coastal Sea: The coastal vegetation like Algae, sea weeds and mangroves play a significant role in enriching the coastal sea. They transport the dissolved organic matter, nutrients etc., besides serving as a nursery area for the larvae and juvenile marine animals and thus support the benthic population of the sea. vi) Fawning ground for commercially valued fish, crabs etc.: These forests are the home ground for a variety of commercially important fish, prawns, crabs and other species in their early stages, thus providing a big economic source to the country in general and state in particular.

b) Relating services:

i) Protecting the shoreline: Mangroves in this region acting as physical buffers between the elements and the shore and can absorb 70–90 percent of the energy of the waves, depending on their ecological condition. The mangroves of Coringa serve as a big barrier, safeguarding the Kakinada town. The opportunity cost of saving a life by retaining mangroves and it was assessed to be Rs. 11.7 million per life saved. ii) Carbon sequestration: Mangroves are important carbon sinks. They sequester about millions of tonnes of carbon per year. A 20-year-old plantation of mangroves has a carbon burial rate of 580 grams per square meter per year. iii) Promoting accretion: Mangroves function much like a living grove to build up sediment, stabilizing the ground and fixing mud banks. It is estimated that there is an annual sedimentation rate ranging between 1 and 8 millimeters in mangrove areas that are expanding in land area. Therefore, they prevent erosion. iv) Flood attenuation: Mangrove habitats function as gigantic sponges to trap and slowly release surface water. A one-acre wetland can typically store about three acre-feet of water. v) Trapping pollutants: Mangrove roots that help trap sediments also function as filters to sift out pollutants reaching the sea from inland waters. vi) Support for fauna: The canopy of mangrove trees provides an essential terrestrial habitat for fauna which prefer arboreal life. Mangrove soils are soft; mud mixed with sand and contains fauna which is not found in sandy and rocky shores. These forests are the abode of species like fishing cats, Otters, Wolfs, and Rhesus Monkeys etc., Apart from these residential species a number of birds are attached to these forests since they provide food for them in the form of fish, crabs, micro organisms, mud skippers etc.

ACTIONS REQUIRED: 1) Advance operations and raising of mangrove plantation:

About an area of 1637 ha have already been regenerated within the sanctuary area. Still small pockets of unplanted areas are available for regeneration and they may be taken up during 2016 to 2022 planting season. A total of 60% area is damaged and needs for rechanneling.

The areas outside the sanctuary adjacent to the western border wherever possible should also be taken up for plantation to maintain the cushioning effect for the sanctuary. All the encroached abandoned aquaculture farms shall be brought under the mangrove plantations.

The standard method of Fishbone channelling shall be adopted for regeneration. It has been observed in all the planted areas earlier, many of the natural fish nursery ponds have disappeared as they have not been given due importance at the time of designing itself. Simulation or restoration of mangrove ecology shall be based on nature’s design. It is recommended to explore possibilities of restore all disappeared natural breeding ponds of the fish and other invertebrates. Care should be taken while regenerating the areas such that all natural aquatic ponds are protected and the courses of water inflows into them shall be maintained. Table 1: Areas Recommended for Plantation Area Area Available Latitudes and S. Compt. of Nature of RF/Range Beat for Longitudes No No Compt. the Area plantation (around) (ha) (ha) 16° 51´ Coringa 24.6´´ 1 Kakinada Coringa 656 700.85 50 Degraded 82° 17´ WLM 54.4´´ Elevation 5m Encroached, Abandoned 16° 44´ Bhairavapalem aquaculture 44.3´´ farm land 2 Kakinada Bhairavapalem 661 603.29 50 82° 18´ area inside WLM the 41.1´´ Sanctuary Elevation 3m Boundary Degraded land and Buffer Encroached, 16° 41´ Rathikalava; Abandoned 41.8´´ Kakinada (T) 3 Rathikalava 670 615.37 50 aquaculture 82° 17´ (Adjacent farm land 56.9´´ Bhairavalanka area within Elevation 4m Village) and outside the RF Total Area to be planted 150 In the above area, it is proposed for planting over an area of 150 ha in 5 years during 2016 to 2022 in this scheme. Details are enclosed in the statement.

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES:

Restoration of the mangroves shall be done only when the salinity of the degraded area is brought down. In order to reduce the salinity, fishbone type canals are to be dug and tidal flushing and draining of stagnant water is facilitated. This results in brining the salinity levels to 60 ppt in summer to fresh water level during monsoon seasons. After a buffer period of three months, the nursery shall be raised, mangrove saplings are planted along the trapezoid shaped canals in the degraded areas. Canals are designed like fishbone in order to facilitate easy inflow and outflow of tidal water. The main canals shall be dug at an angle of 45° to the natural creek, while the side canals are dug at an angle of 30° to the main canal. This needs a preplanning of marking canals using Pegs and chalk powder. The canal dimensions shall be determined as per the contour levels and the tidal amplitude of the degraded area chosen for restoration The canals are to be dug in a trapezoidal shape in order to plant the saplings at the mid level of the canal. This is to ensure that the plants receive tidal water, but at the same time they are not submerged. Geomorphology and hydrology in mangrove restoration based on the contour survey and hydrology study, the canal depths and dimensions shall be fixed, corresponding to the topography and tidal amplitude of the selected restoration site. The topography study reveals whether the areas lying close to the bunds of creeks /rivers or elevated (levee) compared to the areas inside. The levees are formed due to the deposition of silt during floods. Secondly, the soil subsided in the clear felled area due to changes in bulk density, making the topography saucer-shaped. As a result, tidal water entering during the highest of the high tides stagnates in the saucer shaped area due to the elevation of the edges. The temperature and the salinity of the stagnant water increases and shoots up to 114 ppt during summer. This phenomenon prevents natural regeneration of the mangroves and thus enhances the process of degradation. The area gets flooded only during the monsoon period and cyclones and storms.

. The dimensions of the canals were determined based on the contour levels and tidal amplitude. The top width of the main canal can be between 3.0 m and 2 m and the respective bottom width could be between 1.0m and 0.4m depth. The dimensions of the side canals shall be 1.2 m top width, 0.3 m bottom width and 0.40m depth. The distance between the two side canals at the maximum 12.5m during the first year of plantation. The planting of mangrove saplings shall be done 2 m apart along the canals at about 20 cm down the slope. In the subsequent years, distance between side canals will be reduced up to 8 m in order to ensure dense canopy. In case the canals are dug closely the dimension of the side canals shall be reduced accordingly to 1.25m top-width, 0.2m bottom width and 0.4 m deep.

Mangroves namely Aegiceras cornicularum, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Xylocarpus moluccensis shall also planted to ensure genetic diversity. Eight-month-old mangrove saplings raised in the nursery may be used for planting. The mangrove saplings shall be planted along the slopes (20-25cm from the top) of the canals with an espacement of 2 m.

Desilting: The bunds formed by the deposition of the excavated soil during canal digging will silt the canals during the monsoon seasons. The silted canals have to be de-silted before the onset of summer, because during summer the tidal amplitude is generally low. Tidal flushing is very important during summer because the soil salinity will shoot up due to high temperature and cause damage to the roots of the seedlings. Such seedlings will be replanted in the following monsoon season. The survival percentage is measured in the initial period for better monitoring. Initially the growth rate was slow and after 2 to 3 years the seedling growth rate was faster. The natural regeneration of the seedlings also occurs simultaneously. After four years, the planted saplings start bearing fruits, which will regenerate, and the density of the area will increase.

The cost of restoration of degraded mangroves in an area of 150 ha which includes survey, clearance, alignment and advance work in canal construction and planting would require Rs. 100.94 lakhs. Hence, Rs. 100.94 lakhs will be the total cost for restoration of 150 ha of degraded mangroves through community participation. Year wise details are along with data sheets are enclosed in the statement.

PROTECTION ACTION PLAN Protection Measures:

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is a Wildlife Sanctuary and Estuary situated in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the second largest surviving stretch of mangrove forest in India. The Andhra Pradesh forest department has taken steps to ensure conservation of biodiversity and for afforestation of mangroves in the sanctuary. Since the sanctuary was established, the staff structure is well organized to manage and conserve the sanctuary. The management plan 2013-2023 given definite prescriptions and objectives.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary has an excellent system of water transport is available in the form of 34 creeks in the sanctuary. The network of the creeks of the streams Coringa and Gaderu will be useful for patrolling the entire landward area of the sanctuary by two teams of patrolling staff every day.

It is important to strengthen the protection force of the Sanctuary by having Forest Watchers Headquarters in each island, which is in addition to the existing protection force. Minimum of two forest watchers should be posted in each of the island with a motorboat and communication systems. People who are posted on the island need to be given special incentives and their stay on the islands should not harm the biodiversity at any level. Minimum accommodation facilities (eco friendly protection huts) may be created in each larger island.

Responsibilities of the proposed protection force (Annexure - 2) under the control of the Wildlife Warden need to be extended to other zones even outside the Sanctuary limits. Any violation of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Management Plan of Coringa, anywhere in the sanctuary should not be allowed. This should be the responsibilities of the protection force under the Wildlife Warden of the Sanctuary and also by the other staff of the Coringa.

2) Protection of Turtle nests:

The lifespan of sea turtles has been speculated at 80 years. It takes decades for sea turtles to reach sexual maturity. After mating at sea, adult female sea turtles return to land to nest at night. Generally, females return to the same beach where they were hatched. This can take place every two to four years in maturity. The mature nesting female hauls her self onto the beach and finds suitable sand on which to create a nest. Using her hind flippers, she digs a circular hole 40 to 50 centimeters (16 to 20 in) deep. After the hole is dug, the female then starts filling the nest with a clutch of soft-shelled eggs one by one until she has deposited around 50 to 200 eggs, depending on the species. Some species have been reported to lay 250 eggs, such as the hawksbill. After laying, she re-fills the nest with sand, re- sculpting and smoothing the surface until it is relatively undetectable visually. The whole process takes thirty to sixty minutes. She then returns to the ocean, leaving the eggs untended.

The hatchling's gender depends on the sand temperature. Lighter sands maintain higher temperatures, which decreases incubation time and results in more female hatchlings.

Incubation takes about two months. The eggs in one nest hatch together over a very short period of time. When ready, hatchlings tear their shells apart with their snout and dig through the sand. Once they reach the surface, they instinctively head towards the sea. Only a very small proportion of each hatch (usually .01%) succeeds.

Every year Olive ridley sea turtles visit the coastal districts and lay eggs during the month of December to March and proceeds up to June of succeeding year. Young turtles come out of the hatched eggs and join the sea. The main predators are Jackals, Foxes, Wild boars which feed on eggs. Monitoring the hatching of sea turtles was taken up in Hope Island.

For monitoring and conservation an amount of Rs. 10.00 lakhs proposed for this purpose.

Sea turtles of India SEA TURTLE (OLIVE RIDLEY) CONSERVATION

There are seven sea turtle species in the world out of this seven species five sea turtle species are found in Indian waters .

Loggerhead sea turtle Leatherback sea turtle

Green sea turtle Olive ridley turtle Hawksbill turtle

3) Otter/Fishing cat Habitat Conservation and monitoring:-

Otters in India: Smooth otters are named for their shorter, smoother coats, as compared the similar-sized sympatric Lutrogale sp. Sources reveal that this species occur in variety of habitats from Mangroves of freshwater wetlands. Among all Asian otters this is the one, occurs to be most common through most of its ranges. It is found throughout India in the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In most of these states, the otter population has declined in areas in which they were once quite common.

Legal Status: Indian Smooth-Coated Otters are the semi-aquatic members of the family Mustelidae and is the most common of Asian otters. These otters are the indicators of healthy aquatic environments. Indian Smooth-Coated Otters are included in Schedule II (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and covered under Part A of Schedule I of the Export (Trade) Control Order, 1988. Threats identified in and around Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.

1. The greatest threats to the Otters in and around Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary are due to loss of habitat - particularly wetlands conversion into aquaculture ponds and agricultural purposes.

2. Over exploitation of fish fauna is also a major cause of declines in population of otters.

3. Pollution of waterways with industrial, agricultural pesticides and municipal wastes threatens and contaminates the food chain on which otters depend.

4. High level of human disturbance.

5. Otters are caught and drowned in fishing nets, not fitted with otter guards.

6. Other significant threats to otters in the form of oil pollution, oil spills, poaching, and conflicts with fisheries.

For monitoring and conservation an amount of Rs. 3.00 lakhs proposed to artificially create sand beds for the halts. It has been experienced that our forest staff collected the excreta material from the existing holts, where threats are suspected and spreading at the artificial holt, noticed movement of Otters & Fishing cats through trap cameras. So to translocate the otters from the threat areas( nearby aqua forms out side the sanctuary) to safer areas of the sanctuary.

4) Water bird monitoring & habitat improvement measures:-

269 bird species are identified in and around the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. Periodical analysis on all the probable influencing factors shall be taken up to ascertain toxic levels. For the periodical checking of the toxic levels, creation of local habitats, an amount of Rs. 2.00 lakhs is proposed for 2 years.

5) Whale Shark & Dolphin & impact monitoring:

Traces of movement of Whale shark & dolphin are observed in the proposed project area and instances of fishing the whale shark (bye Catch) by the local fisherman community. The Gujarat State Government is ahead in protecting the whale shark in the country. It was announced to the fisherman in the presence of the local public representatives for providing the cost of the fishing nets, if the fisherman leave the net, when whale shark is caught accidentally.

The A.P Forest Department has been conducting survey along the coast of the state through Wild Life Trust of India and there is immense need to conserve the Whale shark & Dolphins, for which an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs are proposed.

6) Awareness programs / expert consultations:

Creating awareness through wide publicity to the local people, fishermen and by organizing nature camps improves the positive approach towards conservation of wild animals. The ethnic customs related to conservation will be advocated. The local people have to make the conservation of animals as a custom. Their culture is being into conservation since long time and such attitude of “Nature sustaining culture and culture conserving Nature” has to be encouraged. An amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs is proposed for such programmes of awareness generation.

7) Trainings to the LNG staff on wildlife related various aspects by involving experts:

Trainings to the staff of LNG is also necessary over the wild life existing in the sanctuary and the conservative measures that are being taken up by the Forest Department. Hence, an amount of Rs. 1.00 lakh is proposed for this purpose.

8) Awareness materials publicity:

Much publicity is required to create awareness among the public on National Park. The people have to know the importance of wildlife. Therefore the printing of publicity material like brochures, wall papers, T-shirts, Caps, Key chains are required. Hence, an amount of Rs. 20.00 lakhs is proposed for this purpose.

9) Sea-worthy boat hiring / maintenance charges for monitoring purposes:

It is proposed to procure/hire one sea going vessel with communication systems, arms and first aid kits for patrolling as well as for rescue operation. Budget allotment for these boats should also include the operational and maintenance cost. In addition to the above, the Range must have a patrolling vehicle as well as smaller vessel (speed boat). Hence, an amount of Rs. 7.50 lakhs is proposed for this purpose.

10) Sea-floor Mappings of the LNG project area before and after the installations:

A scientific study has to be taken up by the experts may be from JNTU, Kakinada or from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam over a period of 5 years for observing the positive/ negative effects on setting up the proposed project and an amount of Rs. 1.00 lakhs is proposed.

11) Distribution of Turtle Escaping Device (TEDs):

Distribution of Turtle Escaping Device (TEDs) to the fisherman community for conserving sea turtles, for which Rs. 3.00 lakhs are proposed.

12) Maintenance of Mud flats to attract the birds: It has been noticed by the fisherman community that the natural mudflats are silted up so that the fish potentiality has been decreased at the creek areas reflecting the poor habitat for the birds as well forcing the fisherman to go in to the sea for fishing. Hence proposed to create/ desilt the existing mudflats with an amount of Rs. 3.00 lakhs in the sanctuary area for a period of 3 years.

13) Office support including wages of computer operator:

For preparation of data sheets, schemes, documentation and towards the wages of the Data Entry Operator, an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs is proposed at Range Office for 10 years.

14) Engaging conservation biologist to be stationed at Coringa:

It is proposed to engage one conservation biologist for monitor and suggest the forest authorities for the conservation activities like the movement of Fishing cat, Otters, Birds and for whale Shark etc. For which an amount of Rs. 30.00 lakhs proposed for the project period.

15) General contingencies and over heads and monitoring charges:

An amount of Rs. 3.56 lakh is proposed to meet the miscellaneous office expenditure like office stationery, telephone bill, electricity bills, over heads and monitoring charges, maintenance of buildings, base camps, patrolling and other protection measures.

Activities Proposed: The following compensative measures at the cost of the user agency are proposed.

2017-18 to Sl. Description 2026-27 No. Phy. Fin. 1 2 3 4 1 Advance operations and raising of mangrove plantation. 150 100.94 2 Sea-turtle conservation programme 10.00 3 Otter/Fishing cat Habitat Conservation and monitoring Ls 3.00 Water bird monitoring & habitat improvement measures for 4 2 years Ls 2.00 5 Whale Shark & Dolphin & impact monitoring for 5 years Ls 5.00 6 Awareness programs / expert consultations Ls 5.00 7 Trainings to the LNG staff on wildlife related various aspects by involving experts & higher authorities for 5 year Ls 1.00 8 Awareness materials publicity etc., Ls 20.00 9 Sea-worthy boat hiring / maintenance charges for monitoring purposes for 5 years. Ls 7.500 10 Sea-floor Mappings of the LNG project area before and after the installations Ls 1.00 Distribution of TEDs to the fisherman community for 11 conserving sea turtles. Ls 3.00 12 Maintenance of Mud flats to attract the birds. Ls 3.00 Office support including wages of computer operator @ 13 14000 pm for 10 years including escalation of 10%. Ls 5.00 Engaging conservation biologist to be stationed at Coringa 14 to monitor and suggest the forest authorities for the conservation activities. @ 25000 pm for 10 years. Ls 30.00 General contingencies and over heads and monitoring 15 charges. Ls 3.56 Total : 200.00

Thus, Rs. 200.00 lakhs has been proposed for Management, Development and Protection of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary during 2017-18 to 2026-27. The abstract of the works is given in the annexure enclosed herewith.

Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Management, Rajamahendravaram.