1. Biological Environment 1.1

EB Report for Expansion of Corporate Office Building, Noida (U.P.) ……….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1. Biological Environment 1.1. Introduction Biodiversity reflects the potential of a regional ecosystem. Biota of a particular area is considered as indicators of the environment as they quickly respond not only to one environmental factor but also an interactive group of factors. These communities influence and react sensitively to changes in the balance of environmental stresses. Conservation of the biodiversity is essential for the sustainable development. Before starting any Environmental Impact Assessment study, it is necessary to identify the baseline of relevant environmental parameters which are likely to be affected as a result of the operation of the proposed project. A similar approach has been adopted for conducting the study on biological environment for this project. Both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have been studied to understand the biological environment nearby the project site. The study was conducted in the project area to assess all possible consequences on the biological environment. The present study is highlighting the various issues pertaining to floristic diversity and the faunal wealth in the core area i.e. Expansion of Corporate Office Building at Sector-16A, Film City, Noida (U.P.) and buffer zone i.e. area within 10 km radius.

1.1.1. Description of Study Area

The present project proposes modification of the Expansion of Corporate Office Building which is located Sector-16A, Film City, Noida (U.P.) under the Seismic Zone –IV as per IS 1893 (Part I): 2002 (indicating high damage risk zone). The buildings will be designed as earthquake resistant and comply with IS specifications. The present project area is surrounded by some settlement along with agricultural and grass cover land. The main crop of the area is Paddy followed by millets (Marua, Gondli and Maize), pulses, wheat oilseed (Sarguja) and vegetables. Noida of Gautam Budh Nagar, lies under the tropical climatic condition and comprises of tropical moist deciduous vegetation due to high temperature and humidity. Any Eco-sensitive zone, Wildlife sanctuary and National Parks are not present within the 10 km area as protected under Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Location of present construction project is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Fig. 1: Location of the Project Site in the 500 m buffer Area

Fig. 2: Land use map of present project Site along with location project site in buffer Area (10 km)

1.2. Methodology

1.2.1. Period of Sampling

The ecological survey has been conducted during post monsoon season for the collection of primary data of flora-fauna, vegetation, soil and other environmental observations. The details are given as below: Post-monsoon: October to December Core zone : At the project site Buffer zone : Around 10 km radius of the project site

1.2.2. Mode of Data Collection Detailed survey was conducted to evaluate floral and faunal composition of the study area. Primary data on floral and faunal composition was recorded during site visit and secondary data was collected from the Forest Department and published relevant literature. The mode of data and parameters considered during field investigations is given in Table 3.1.

Table 1: Mode of Data Collection & Parameters Considered During the Survey Parameters Aspect Data Mode of Data Collection Monitored Primary data Floral and Faunal By field survey collection diversity * Forest Department of Gautam Budh Terrestrial Nagar, U.P. Floral and Faunal Ecology Secondary data * An official website of District Administration diversity, Types of collection Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. vegetation, forest *Department of Fisheries, Gautam Budh type, Importance etc. Nagar, U.P.

1.3. Biological Component of Core Zone 1.3.1. Flora In the core zone, buildings have been constructed and construction works are also going on. There are few vegetation were observed in the core zone such Lantana, Jharbery, Dabh, Doob, Motha, Sanwak, Jungli chaulai, Munj, Parthenium and Calotropis etc. There is no major vegetation in the core zone. Project shall also not lead to any change in landuse of surroundings except proposed construction area. 1.3.2. Fauna In the core zone buildings has been constructed and construction is also going on. During the field survey, some moving animals (Dog, Goat, Squirrel, Lizards,) and birds (Common Myna, Pigeon, Parrot, Sparrow, Baya) were observed. There is no any permanent habitat are present in the core zone. There is no any aquatic habitat in the core zone, so aquatic fauna also does not exist in the proposed construction area.

1.4. Biological Component of Buffer Zone 1.4.1. Flora

1.4.1.1. Forests Gautam Budh Nagar dirstrict of Uttar Pradesh is not well enriched with the forest as compare to others districts. There is a Gulistanpur Reserved Forest (RF) in the study areas which is situated at the distance of 9.2 km in south east direction. Tree species mainly found in reserved forests are Acacia arabica (Babul), Acacia nilotica (Babul), Albizia odoratissima (Jang Siris), Dalbergia latifolia (Shisham), Zizyphus rugosa (Churna), Zizyphus rotundifolia (Jharberi). Besides this, Surajpur Wetland is also located in the buffer zone at the distance of 6.23 km in south east direction. There are several birds species found in the wetland. Apart from avifauna, the wetland also supports six species of mammals includes Nilgai, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Hare, Golden Jackal and Five-striped Squirrel (WWF India Tech. Report: 2012-2013). Asola Wildlife Sanctuary is also located in the buffer zone at the distance of 9.40 km in south east direction. There are several birds species found in the Wildlife sanctuary. Apart from avifauna, the wetland also supports six species of mammals includes Nilgai, black buck, porcupine, civets, jackals, jungle cats, and even marks of leopard (WWF India Tech. Report: 2012-2013).

A major part of this wetland is a tree cover land and major vegetation found in the area are Acacia nilotica, Acacia catechu, Albizia odoratissima, Cassia fistula, Dalbergia latifolia, Delonix regia, Eucalyptus sp., Ficus religiosa, Ficus racemosa, Mangifera indica, Madhuca indica, Tamarindus indica, Zizyphus rugosa and Zizyphus rotundifolia.

1.4.1.2. Vegetation around the Human Settlements

Vegetation pattern in the surrounding areas and villages in the buffer zone of present project are slightly different from the rest of the areas. Most of the area is rural and agriculture land without major vegetation. The common species grown near villages are mostly edible or useful plants are Artocarpus integrifolia, Azadirachta indica, Cassia fistula, Delonix regia, Eucalyptus sp., Ficus religiosa, Ficus benjamina, Ficus racemosa, Mangifera indica, Madhuca indica, Morus nigra, Neolamarckia cadamba, Psidium guajava (Amrud), Sizygium cumini and Tamarindus indica.

1.4.1.3. Terrestrial Flora of the Buffer Zone

Buffer zone of the present project is mainly urban, rural and agricultural land. The most common plant species observed in the buffer area are listed in Table 3.2.

Table 2: Vegetation of Buffer Zone (10km) of Present Project

S. No. Scientific Name Local name Family Plants 1 Acacia arabica Babool Leguminosae

2 Acacia catechu Khair/ Kala Babool Leguminosae 3 Acacia nilotica Babul Leguminosae 4 Aegle marmelos Bel Rutaceae 5 Anthocephalus cadamba Kadam Rubiaceae 6 Azadirachta indica Neem Meliaceae 7 Bassia latifolia Mahua Sapotaceae 8 Bauhinia purpurea Kachnar Leguminosae 9 Bombax malabaricum Semal Malvaceae 10 Butea frondosa Palas Leguminosae 11 Cassia fistula Amaltas Fabaceae 12 Cassia nodosa Roheda Fabaceae 13 Dalbergia latifolia Shisham Leguminosae 14 Delonix regia Gulmohar Fabaceae 15 Eugenia jambolana Jamun Myrtaceae 16 Feronia elephantum Kaith Rutaceae 17 Gmelina arborea Gamhar Verbenaceae 18 Lagerstroemia speciosa Pride of India Lythraceae 19 Mangifera indica Aam Anacardiaceae 20 Melaleuca citrina Bottle Brush Myrtaceae 21 Millingtonia hortensis Indian Cork Tree Bignoniaceae 22 Phoenix sylvertix Indian wild date/ Khajur Arecaceae 23 Plumeria alba pink Temple Tree Apocynaceae 24 Polyalthia longifolia Ashok Annonaceae 25 Psidium guajava Amrud Myrtaceae 26 Senna siamea Siamese cassia/Kassod Fabaceae 27 Spathodea campanulata Tulip Tree Bignoniaceae 28 Spondias mangifera Amra Anacardiaceae 29 Tamarindus indica Imli Leguminosae 30 Tectona grandis Sagon Verbenaceae 31 Terminalia arjuna Arjun Combretaceae 32 Terminalia belerica Bahera Combretaceae Shrubs 1 Achyranthes aspera Apamarg Amarantaceae 2 Calotropis gigantea Aak Asclepiadaceae 3 Eugenia heyneana Kath Jamun Myrtaceae 4 Lantana camara Raimunia Verbenaceae 5 Woodfordia floribunda Dhawai Lythraceae 6 Zizyphus rugosa Churna Rhamnaceae 7 Zizyphus rotundifolia Jharberi Rhamnaceae Grasses 1 Cymbopogon martini Rusa Gramineae 2 Cynodon dactylon Doob Gramineae 3 Echinochloa colonum Sama Gramineae

4 Eragrostis tenella Bhurbhusi Gramineae 5 Heteropogon contortus Kusul Gramineae 6 Imperata cylindrica Chhir Gramineae 7 Saccharum munja Munj Gramineae Source: GRC survey data and data of Department of Forest, Gautam Budh Nagar, (U.P.).

1.4.1.4. Aquatic Flora of the Buffer Zone

Present project is situated in Yamuna River basin. Hindon River is crossing through the buffer area from North West to South West direction at the distance of 2.3 km. Beside this, Surajpur wetland a perennial lentic water body is also situated in the buffer zone area. In general, flora account of any aquatic system or water bodies can be divided into two categories i.e., (i) Phytoplankton and (ii) Macrophytes. The details of aquatic vegetation collected and identified from Surajpur Wetland and Hindon River are given in Tables 3.3 and Table 3.4. Table 3: Phytoplankton Species recorded from Surajpur Wetland, Asola and Hindon River Class Name of the Individuals Ankistrodesmus falcatus; Cosmarium sp.; Oocystis sp.; Chlorophyceae Scenedesmus sp. and Scenedesmus armatus; Anacystis sp.; Aphanocapsa montana; Chroococcus sp.; Cyanophyceae Gloeocapsa sp.; Merismopedia sp.; Microcystis flos-aquae; Achnanthes sp.; Ceratonies arcus ; Cyclotella sp.; Fragillaria sp.; Bacillariophyceae and Melosira granulata; Euglenophyceae Euglena sp. and Trachelomonas sp. Source: GRC Survey Data

Table 4: List of Macrophytes observed from Surajpur Wetland, Asola and at the Shore of Hindon River

Name of the Taxa Macrophytes Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomoea aquatica, Ipomoea (Aquatic Vegetation) fistulosa, Lemna minor, Ludwigia sp., Polygonum sp., Polygonum glabrum, Typha sp. Hydrilla verticillata, Nymphoides indicum, and Source: GRC Survey Data

1.4.2. Fauna of the Buffer Zone  Terrestrial Fauna of buffer Zone The major part of the buffer zone of present project lies under agricultural and rural area which restricts the wildlife habitat significantly. There is no eco-sensitive zones, wildlife corridors present in the buffer area. Domesticated mammal species like Cow, Goat and Buffalo were noticed in the buffer zone along with Fruits bat and Indian Fox.

List of animals of the study area has been prepared on the basis of present survey, inquiry from local people and from the available published literatures. The animals thus recorded were cross checked with Wildlife Protection Act (1972) for their schedule. List of faunal species recorded from buffer zone is given in Table 3.5.

Table 5: Fauna of Buffer Zone including Fauna of Surajpur Wetland

Schedule Status IUCN S. No. Scientific name Common name (WPA,1972) Status Mammal 1 Canis sp. Indian Pariah Dog II LC 2 Funambulus palmarum Three-striped Squirrel IV LC 3 Herpestes edwardsi Indian Gray Mongoose IV LC 4 Mus booduga Indian Field Mouse V LC 5 Rattus rattus Indian House Rat V LC 6 Suncus murinus Grey musk Shrew IV LC 7 Tatera indica Indian Gerbille IV LC 8 Vandeleuria oleracea Long-tailed Tree Mouse V LC 9 Vulpes bengalensis Indian Fox II LC 10 Boselaphus tragocamelus Nilgai III VU 11 Lepus nigricollis Black-naped Hare V LC 12 Canis aureus Golden Jackal 13 Funambulus pennantii Five-striped Squirrel IV LC Reptiles 1 Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus IV LC 2 Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus IV LC 3 Red Sand Boa Eryx johnii - DD 4 Indian Cobra Naja naja II LC 5 Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus II NA Lizards 1 Rock Lizard Agama buberculatus - LC 2 Chameleon Chamelion calcarata II LC 3 Indian House Gecko Hemidactylus flaviviridus - LC Avian Fauna 1 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis IV LC 2 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis IV LC 3 House Swift Apus nipalensis IV LC 4 Purple Sunbird Cinnyrisa siaticus IV LC 5 Rock Pigeon Columba livia IV LC 6 Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos IV LC 7 House Crow Corvus splendens IV LC 8 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus IV LC

9 Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus IV LC 10 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus IV LC 11 Red Jungle fowl Gallus gallus IV LC 12 White Wagtail Motacilla alba IV LC 13 House Sparrow Passer domesticus IV LC 14 Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica IV LC 15 Grey Bushchat Saxico laferreus IV LC 16 Common Babbler Turdoides caudata IV LC 17 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops IV LC Source: GRC Survey Data supported by Department of Forest, Gautam Budh Nagar, (U.P.). IUCS status- LC: Least Concern, NE: Not Evaluated, EN: Endangered, NT: Near Threatened.

 Aquatic Fauna of buffer Zone

Aquatic animals found in the different habitat in the study area are given in Table 3.6 to Table 3.9. Table: 6: Zooplankton Species Recorded from Surajpur Wetland,Asola and River Hindon

Name of the Name of the Taxa Groups Protozoa Arcella sp., Centropyxis sp., Difflugia sp., and Paramoecium sp. Asplanchna sp., Brachionus angularis, Brachionus calciflorus, Rotifera Brachionus sp., Filinia longiseta, Keratella sp., Keratella tropica, Lecane sp. and Lecane luna. Cyclops sp., Mesocyclops sp., Thermocylops sp., Diaptomus sp. Copepoda Nauplius larvae. Alona intermediate, Bosmina sp., Bosmina longirostris, Chydorus sp. Cladocera Daphnia sp., Daphnia pulex, Diaphanosoma excisum

Ostracoda Cypris sp., Stenocypris sp. Source: GRC Survey Data.

Table: 7: Macro-invertebrates Species Recorded from Surajpur Wetland,Asola and River Hindon

Name of the Groups Name of the Taxa Corbicula sp., Corbicula striata, Gyraulus sp., Lamellidens sp., Mollusca Melanoides scabra, Thira tuberculata Diptera Chironomus sp., Chironomus plumosus, Tendipes kiefferulus Oligochaete Dero dagitata, Pheretima sp., Tubifex Tubifex. Crustacea Gammarus pulex, Palemone sp. Trichoptera Glossosoma sp., Hydropsyche sp. Ephemeroptera Baetis nymph, Caenis runlorum Source: GRC Survey Data

Table: 8: Amphibian Species observed in the Buffer Zone

Sl. No Common name Scientific name Schedule / IUCN

WPA,1972 Status 1 Common Indian toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus IV NA 2 Indian skipper frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis IV NA 3 Indian bull frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus IV NA Source: GRC Survey Data supported by Department of Forest, Gautam Budh Nagar, (U.P.).

 Fish Species There is no fish species found in the Hindon River. Water quality of Hindon River degraded due to the higher pollution and high anthropogenic pressure and natural habitats of fishes have been affected so far. Some fishes found in the Surajpur Wetland & Asola are given in the Table Table-3.9. Table-9: Fish Species Recorded from Surajpur Wetland Sl. No. Scientific Name Hindi Name IUCN Status 1 Aspidoparia morar Morar LC 2 Chanda nama Chanda LC 3 Channa punctatus Shauli/Garai LC 4 Channa striatus Garai LC 5 Glossogobius giuris Tank goby LC 6 Heteropneustes fossilis Singhi LC 7 Mystus cavasius Tengra LC 8 Nangra sp. - LC 9 Puntius chola Pothia LC 10 Puntius sarana Pothia LC 11 Puntius ticto Pothia LC 12 Salmophasia bacaila - LC 13 Xenentodon sp. Kakila LC Source: GRC survey data and Data supported by Department of Fisheries, Uttar Pradesh.

1.5. Occurrence of Schedule-I and Rare, Endangered and Threatened Species (RET)

Schedule-I species as well as plant species under the category of RET were not recorded from the core zone and buffer zone of present project (Expansion of Corporate Office Building at Sector- 16A, Film City, Noida (U.P.). However, all care will be taken for protection of others flora & fauna also, if any in nearby the proposed project.