1. Biological Environment 1.1
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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. 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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