FAUNA & FLORA Assessment

2018 Fauna and flora assessment Mohammed Jasim, Granite Quarry Sy, No,23/1055 of Melmuri Village, Ernad Taluk, Malappuram Dt. This document comprises of the fauna and flora assessment carried out by the biodiversity inventory cell of MES Mampad College MES Mampad College Prepared by Biodiversity Inventory Team 2/22/2018 Fauna & Flora Assessment Prepared for Mohammed Jasim, Granite Quarry Sy, No,23/1055 of Melmuri Village, Malappuram Dt. Prepared by Biodiversity Inventory Team, MES Mampad College 1 Foreword The biodiversity assessment team of MES Mampad College was commissioned by the RQP to undertake a flora and fauna habitat assessment for a quarry site which is proposed to provide materials for the developmental projects in the region. The Quarry is located near Malappuram within the Eranad Thaluk. The study will provide information on the flora and fauna assessment of the proposed site. 2 PRINCIPAL M.E.S.MAMPAD COLLEGE Autonomous (Government Aided, affiliated to Calicut University) Phone : 04931 – 200387 (Off.) Re accredited by NAAC with A Grade Fax : 04931 – 200337 P.O. MAMPAD COLLEGE - 676 542 E – mail : [email protected] MALAPPURAM DT., KERALA Website : www.mesmampad.org Estt: GEN/127/2/18 Date: 22.02.2018 Certificate This is to certify that, the information and data presented here is based on the field work carried out by the biodiversity assessment team of MES Mampad College for Mohammed Jasim, Granite Quarry Sy, No, 23/1055 of Melmuri Village, Ernad Taluk, Malappuram Dist. The rapid assessment with standard protocol have been compiled and executed by the team. We undertake the authenticity of the data presented here which is documented and verified by the expertise in the relevant field. Dr. P.K Babu 3 Introduction Further to the response to the request from the proprietor of the Quarry, team from MES Mampad College, have conducted the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the proposed region. The result of the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment is expected to yield results which can provide important decision making for the better management. The surveys involved traversal of the study area during which plant specimens were collected for later identification. Field studies focused on determining the type of plant communities present, compilation of comprehensive plant species lists, assessment for threatened and priority flora and description of fauna habitat. Mapping of native vegetation was based on the field studies providing details of community floristics and structure. Fauna habitat assessment involved determination of the range of habitats present and assessment of potential nesting and shelter locations (e.g. nests, hollows, burrows, fallen tree limbs, etc.) and food resources. Objectives The main objectives of conducting Rapid Biodiversity Assessment in the proposed mining area were: To rapidly assess the biodiversity that has significance conservation status and high ecological value which may be affected by the mining plan? To put up scientific recommendations to the sustainable management for the establishment of proper mining based on the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment findings. Methods Transect walk Five transect lines with varying length (100m-300m) and fixed width (2m) were laid which cuts through the core and peripheral areas of proposed region. The transect surveys were conducted from 0730 hrs to 1130 hrs. (Figure-1). All avifauna found along these transects were recorded for analyzing the data (Table-1). Standard protocols were followed for fauna and flora. 4 Figure-1: Rough sketch map of proposed area showing transect lines and position of the Vantage points (Not to scale). Findings/Results Survey results - Fauna recorded from the project site Records of threatened species in the area No threatened species were seen Species Richness of Mammals The assessment carried out within the proposed area of 0.9994 Ha including the buffer of 0.3159 Ha. The inventory carried out within the proposed area along transect line and also within the vantage points. The rapid survey recorded indirect sightings of two species of mammals, and one species which likely to be present within the area. The assessment recorded the highest scat density of Asian Palm Civet (Four) within the location. The list of mammal species found in the study area is included in table 1 5 Table 1–List of Mammals recorded in the study area Sl Scientific name Common Name Status FN AN Remarks No count count 1 Herpestes edwardsii* Indian Grey LC 0 1 One Scat Mongoose observed 2 Paradoxurus ermaphrodites *** Asian Palm Civet LC - - Three Scats observed 3 Hystrix indica ** Indian Crested LC - - Porcupine *Recorded from the site boundary ** Species likely to be present in the area *** Indirect evidence of occurrence Species Richness of Reptiles The reptile survey carried out within the transect line, the adjacent buffer area and also in the vantage points included in the proposed site. Three species of reptiles recorded during the survey (Table 2) Table 2- List of Reptiles recorded in the study area – Sl Scientific name Common Name Status FN AN Remarks No count count 1 Calotes versicolor Garden Lizard LC 2 - 2 Cnemaspis Sp. Gecko 3 - 3 Eutropis carinata Common Skink 2 - Species Richness of Birds Bird survey carried out along the five line-transect of varying length with specific point counts. The species of birds were recorded based on actual sightings and calls along the five transect lines. A total of fifteen species of birds were listed while surveying along the five transects line (Refer List of birds-Table 3). Two species were identified through calls, and the rest with direct sightings. 6 Table 3 - List of Birds recorded in the study area Scientific name Common Name Status FN AN count count 1 Pernis ptilorhynchus Oriental honey-buzzard LC 1 1 2 Spilornis cheela Crested Serpent eagle LC 1 2 3 Aquila verreauxii Black eagle LC 1 4 Accipiter badius Shikra LC 1 5 Merops orientalis Green bee-eater LC 3 6 LCPsilopogon viridis White-cheecked barbet LC 1 7 Dicrurus aeneus Bronzed drongo LC 2 Green bee-eater 8 Oriolus kundoo Indian golden oriole LC 2 LC 9 Dendrocitta vagabunda Rufous treepie LC 1 1 10 Corvus macrorhynchos Large-billed crow LC 3 11 Pycnonotus jocosus Red whiskered bulbul LC 5 3 12 Leptocoma zeylonica Purple-rumped sunbird LC 3 13 Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite LC 2 14 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher LC 1 15 Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Pale billed flowerpecker LC 1 Species Richness of Butterflies The butterfly survey carried out from 0930 to 1130. The inventory recorded eight species of butterflies (Table 4). Table 4-List of Butterflies recorded in the study area- Scientific name Common Name Status FN AN count count Papilio polytes Common Mormon LC 2 1 Euploe core Common Indian Crow LC 2 1 2 Neptis hylas Common Sailer LC 2 3 Junonial emonias Lemon Pansy LC 1 4 Junonia iphita Chocolate Pansy LC 2 1 5 6 Zizula hylax Tiny Grass Blue LC 6 5 7 Castaliu srosimon Common Pierrot LC 3 1 8 Eurema hecabe Common Grass Yellow LC 2 7 PART II Vegetation characteristics Through Rapid Biodiversity Assessment, 33 species of flora recorded from the proposed site. This includes trees, shrubs and herbs (Table-5). Most of the proposed quarry site is located on a part of continuous rock and having typical medium elevation vegetation including Bamboo. Habitat for threatened flora is considered limited. The understory mainly composed of grass species and saplings of trees. The species Xylia xylocarpa was observed as dominant within the site. Comparatively less invasive species observed within the site. Mixed tree species were also recorded within the proposed area with a buffer of Coconut and Banana plantation. These areas have a very low likelihood of supporting threatened flora. The quarry will however result in the removal of this localised habitat, which has to be balanced with the afforestation works. Flora (Shrubs, Herbs & Trees, pooled together) Table 5-List of flora recorded in the study area Scientific name Common Name Status 1 Gliricidia sepium Quick stick LC 2 Anacardium occidentale Cashew LC 3 Anamirta cocculus Fish berry LC 4 Aquilaria agallocha Agar wood LC 5 Artocarpus heterophyllus Jackfruit LC Naregamia alata Goanese ipecac LC 6 Bombax ceiba Silk cotton tree LC 7 Caryota urens Fishtail palm LC 8 Urena lobata Caesar weed LC 9 10 Chromolaena odorata Siam weed LC Mimosa pigra Giant sensitive tree LC 11 12 Mimosa pudica Touch me not LC Xylia xylocarpa Pyinkado LC 13 8 14 Cochlospermum religiosum Buttercup tree LC Cyclea peltata Raj patha LC 15 Cyperus rotundens Common nut sedge LC 16 17 Euphobia deccanensis Spurge LC 18 Euphorbia hirta Asthma weed LC 19 Syzygium cumini Jambul LC 20 Pteris Chinese brake LC 21 Mangifera indica Mango LC 22 Macaranga peltata Chandada LC 23 Tamarindus indica Tamarind LC Apluda mutica Mauritian grass LC 24 Cyperus sp. Sedge LC 25 26 Heliotropium keralense Indian Heliotrope LC Mullugo pentaphylla Five leaved carpet weed LC 27 28 Tephrosia sp. Hoary tephrosia LC Hemidesmus indicus Indian sersapilla LC 29 Ichnocarpus frutescenc Black creeper LC 30 Bambusa bambos Indian Thorny bamboo LC 31 32 Paspalidium sp. Grass sp. LC 33 Cassia fistula Indian laburnum LC 9 Protocols used in the study Field survey technique Suggested minimum Applied Effort achieved & applied Effort comments Amphibians Systematic day habitat search One hour per Yes Euphlyctis stratification unit cyanophlyctis observed 35 individuals of frogs from the excavated pond within the quarry. Night habitat search for 30 minutes Not employed watery, damp sites Nocturnal call playback On playback Not employed Night water source search Two hrs /200 m water Not employed body edge Field survey Suggested Applied Effort achieved & comments technique applied minimum Effort Diurnal birds Area search Species time curve Yes 15 species have been observed approach Point count 10 mins count Yes Point counts done at various locations of the plot.

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