BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT 1. VEGETATION TYPES AND ITS DISTRIBUTION

1.1 Methodology for Vegetation The study was aimed at enumeration of the available plant resources and obtaining a broad representation of the existing floristic variations in the project affected area and surrounding project affected areas. Enumeration of the plant wealth was done by surveying the area through walking followed by collection and identification of plant specimens. Phytosociological aspects of the study were carried out by perambulating and sampling through quadrates method. Sample plots were selected in such a way to get maximum representation of different types of vegetation and plots were laid out in different parts of the areas within the mine area as well as the surrounding mine area. Selection of sites for vegetation data was done by random sampling procedure. Accordingly, equal number of quadrates of 10 m x 10 m for the study of tree layer in the project affected area and surrounding project affected area were laid. Within these sample plots, subplots of 3 m x 3 m were laid out randomly for studying the shrub layer and regeneration of tree species. For information on ground layer including herbaceous species, quadrates of 1 m x 1 m size were laid out within the tree quadrate. All species encountered during the transect walk were recorded. The girth at breast height (gbh) of all individuals in each quadrate was measured for all species of trees and woody climbers. All individuals with gbh > 10 cm were considered and recorded as trees (Parthasarathy and Karthikeyan, 1997). Individuals below 10 cm gbh were considered as saplings and shrubs. This concept was tested further during the fieldwork. Basal area of plants was measured following Philips (1959). The plants were identified using floras by Haines (192125), Saxena and Brahmam (199496). The primary data recorded on number of individuals in a species and girths were utilized to derive secondary attributes like density and frequency following standard phytosociological methods of Misra (1968). Relative values were calculated following Philips (1959). Important Value Index (IVI) was calculated by adding up relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance (Curtis, 1959). In the case of shrubs, herbs and saplings; IVI was calculated based only on relative values, i.e., relative frequency and relative density. Formulae used for various calculations are:

Total number of individuals of a species in all the quadrats Density = Total number of quadrats studied

Total number of quadrats in which species occurred Frequency (%) = × 100 Total number of quadrats studied

Total number of individuals of a species in all quadrats Abundance = Total number of quadrats in which species occurred

C2 Mean basal area = (C= Mean of the circumference) 4π

Total basal area = Mean basal area × Density

Sum of all cbh of a species Mean of the circumference (C) = Total number of individuals of a species

Density of a the species Relative Density = × 100 Total density of all species

The frequency of a species Relative Frequency = ×100 Total frequency of all species

Total basal cover of a species Relative Dominance = ×100 Total basal cover of all species

Importance Value Index (IVI) = Relative Density + Relative Frequency + Relative Dominance

1.2 Flora of project affected area Floristic composition varies depending upon the site and its environmental features and it is one of the major characteristic features of any plant communities. A total of 40 quadrats were randomly laid for the data collection of the tree, shrubs and herbaceous species. A total three tree species were found with a total density of 566.66 trees/ha with a total basal area of 611153.56 m2/ha. The tree flora of the project affected area dominated by Pinus wallichiana followed by Picea smithiana (Annexure I, Table1). The number of shrubs, and tree saplings together from project affected area was five species. The project affected area was dominated by Viburnum grandiflorum and Abies pindrow . The forest with open canopy cover and moist soil conditions do not favoured the growth of woody climbers and shrubs. The density values (stems/ha) for different species of shrubs varied from 246.91 to 6666.67 (Annexure I, Table2). Abies pindrow recorded the highest IVI value (135.49). This particular shrub has very good capacity for regeneration. Herbaceous vegetation accounted for eight species in the project affected area. The stand density in the case of herbaceous species was 1586700 stems/ha (Annexure I, Table3) and this strata was dominated by Trifolium repens (816700 stems/ha) followed by Fragaria vesca (633300 stems/ha) and Erianthus sp. (63300 stems/ha) (Annexure I, Table3). Dominance and ecological success of a species is expressed as a single value in terms of Importance Value Index (IVI). This index utilizes three parameters viz., relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance or basal area. High IVI values of a species indicate its high regeneration capacity and greater ecological amplitude. Among trees species, Pinus wallichiana showed highest IVI (190.79) followed by Picea smithiana (92.85), and Abies pindrow (16.36). Among shrubs, highest IVI was recorded as 135.49 and 95.84 in the case of Abies pindrow and Viburnum grandiflorum respectively (Annexure I, Table2). Highly regenerating species in the study site among shrubs was Abies pindrow .

1.3 Surrounding the Project Affected Area Floristic composition varies depending upon the site and its environmental features and it is one of the major characteristic features of any plant communities. Dachigam National Park is situated surrounding the project affected area. In respect of flora of surrounding project affected area we studied the phytosociological analysis of Dachigam National Park . Dachigam National Park is one of the most important protected area in Jammu and state because it holds the last viable population of Hangul in world. The park spread over an area of 141 sq. km in the Zabarwan mountain ranges of great . Dachigam National park harbors the last viable population of Hangul and one of the largest populations of Asiatic black bear. The name of the park comes from the Kashmiri word Dah which means 10, chi means are and gam means village so “ten village”. Before the existence of the park there were 10 villages which later on translocated from the area due to the formation of a game preserve of rakh by the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. The name of the National Park was given in the memory of these 10 villages. Inside the park there are many nallahs which are named after the translocation of those villages. This area was having diverse flora and fauna by keeping this in mind maharaja made it rakh for him and for this guests (hunting). Dachigam Wildlife sanctuary was upgraded to National Park on 4 February 1981 (state order no. FST/20) by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The management of Dachigam NP is handed over to the newly formed Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir 1982 after separation from Forest Department. The park is divided into two administrative unit Lower and Upper Dachigam which are administered by Central and South Wildlife Division respectively. Today it is managed in IUCN category II (National Park).

LOCATION: Dachigam National Park lies between 340 05‟N 340 11‟N and 740 54‟E 750 09‟E and the area comes under the civil jurisdictions of , , districts. Its area comes in 2.38.12 (Himalayan Highlands) biogeographical province, and 2A Biogeographic zone. It is 21Km northeast to Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state situated in Zabarwan mountain range of Great Himalayas. Nearest Airport and railhead stand 32 and 315 kms away respectively.

THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Dachigam National Park is known worldwide because it holds one of the best populations of Asiatic black bear in Asia and the red deer sub species Hangul. It also provides a natural habitat for a number of threatened and endangered species. Dachigam National Park is one single compact catchment area in the central Kashmir which has a highly unique and diverse type of fauna and flora. Dachigam occupies almost half of the catchment zone of the famous and is the main source of water for the Srinagar city. The National Park is significant in the sense that it is the only area in the world where last viable population of (Hangul) is in existence. Dachigam is a stupendous example which represent and preserves significant ecological and biological processes in the way of evolution and development of various ecosystems consisting of several communities of plants and animal species. Most significantly Dachigam national park provides suitable habitat for the insitu conservation of Hangul which is critically endangered and needs attention for the conservation of species which have global importance such as Himalayan Grey Langur, Himalayan Yellow throated Marten, Asiatic black bear, Common Leopard.

GEOLOGY, ROCK AND SOIL: The entire area of Dachigam NP is mountainous and has crystalline rocks such as granite, phyllites and schists with embedded lime stone. Which form the core of the Zanskar range, a fold of which encloses the Dachigam national park. The region from Khanmoh to mahadeo consists of calacarious slates, shale and blue limestone (Singh and Kachroo, 1976). Most of the sediments composing these ranges have been laid from Cambrian to tertiary (Wadia, 1939, 1961).The crystalline axis of the Himalayan system contains the oldest rocks and the northern flank of these crystalline axis are found fossiliferous sediments of marine origin. The soil depth in Dachigam on the slope from lower to middle reaches is less than 25 cm and hence falls under the category of very shallow soils (Bhat 1988).

TERRAIN: Dachigam NP possesses Great Himalayan feature with steep mountains separated with deep gouges, valleys. The series of undulations present a variety of slope aspects supporting an array of vegetation types. The overall terrain in Dachigam is steep mountainous.

RAINFALL PATTERN AND DISTRIBUTION: The climate in Dachigam is subMediterranean type with bixeric regime having two spells of dryness of April June and September November (Singh and Kachroo, 1977, 1978). The area observes an irregular weather conditions with a considerable variation in the amount of precipitation. Snow is the main source of precipitation and in some parts melts till June. The annual minimum and maximum rainfall of Dachigam have been calculated ranging between 32 mm to 546 mm (Bhat, 1988).

WATER SOURCES: Dachigam NP is gifted with numerous perennial streams, nallah, springs, glaciers, and the main Dachigam nallah coming from Marshar Lake as a result of which water supply in the area is adequate throughout the year. Marshar Lake is the main source of water which is feeding Dachigam nallah the main catchment of Dal. The perennial water streams and main nallah provide drinking water for the wild animals living in the natural habitats of Dachigam NP.

1.4 Flora of Surrounding the Project Affected Area

1.4.1 The bio-geographic classification: According to the biogeographic classification suggested by Rodgers et al., 2002, Dachigam National Park comes under 2A. 1.4.2 The forest Types, cover and food for wild animals:

As per revised Champion and Seth (1968) the vegetation of Dachigam National Park is typically Himalayan moist temperate forest: subalpine forest and alpine forest type and can be classified into following forest types:  Moist temperate deciduous forest.  Parrotia (pohu) scrub forest.  West Himalayan low level blue pine forest.  Western mixed coniferous forest.  Deciduous alpine scrub.  West Himalayan subalpine birchrhododendron forest.  Dwarf juniper scrub.  Dry temperate scrub. A detailed study on vegetation structure in lower Dachigam was carried out by Singh and Kachroo (1978) and Sharma et al., 2009. The vegetation of the valley is very patchy. The tree species such as Ulmus wallichiana , Salix alba and Populus cilia are found along the streams. Prunus armeniaca is found in open scrub areas, and Quercus robur and Robina pseudoacacia in distinct pure patches which show evidence of having been planted on abandoned agricultural fields. Shrubs species are quite evenly distributed throughout the valley. Common shrub species in the lower parts of Dachigam are four species of Prunus , two species each of Rubus , Berberis , Vibernum and Rosa , Indigofera and Parrotiopsis (Sharma et al., 2007, 2009; Charoo et al., 2010). The vegetation on the southern aspects is characterized by grassy slopes with Prunus armenica , Rosa webbiana and Rubus niveus . The nullahs (streams) have reasonable tree cover, including species such as Aesculus indica and Juglans regia . The northern aspects have more tree and shrubs cover with species such as Pinus griffithi , Aesculus indica , Prunus armenica and Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Sharma et al ., 2007).

1.4.3 PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS:

The flora of the surrounding project affected area dominated by Pinus wallichiana and Acer pictum (Table4).

Buffer Zone of project affected area

Floristic attributes of vegetation i.e. Trees, shrubs and herbs of the surrounding project affected area are presented in Table 46. Six tree species making a total density of 566.67 trees ha1. The density of tree species varied from 22 stems/ha to 255 stems/ha. Highest density was shown by Pinus wallichiana (255 stems/ha) followed by Acer pictum (166 stems/ha) and Prunus armeniaca (56 stems/ha). Twelve shrub species have been recorded in this site with highest density for Rosa moschatta (4568 shrub ha1) followed by Berberis Sp. (3704 shrub ha1) and Sarcococca saligna (2346 shrub ha1). Forty herb species have been recorded in this site with highest density of Fragaria nubicola (63300 herb ha1) followed by Trifolium pratense (58900 herb ha1) and Ischaemum sp (47800 herb ha1). Dominance and ecological success of a species is expressed as a single value in terms of Importance Value Index (IVI). This index utilizes three parameters viz., relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance or basal area. High IVI values of a species indicate its high regeneration capacity and greater ecological amplitude. Among trees species, Pinus wallichiana showed highest IVI (156.59) followed by Acer pictum (88.01), and Prunus armeniaca (16.81). Among shrubs, highest IVI was recorded as 56.66 and 41.16 in the case of Rosa moschatta and Berberis Sp. , respectively. The diversity values for different life forms, namely, trees, and shrubs showed that the area is very diverse as regards to trees and shrubs.

2 FAUNAL DIVERSITY To prepare a detailed report on the status of wildlife biodiversity in 10 km radial area (Study Area) around the proposed project affected sites to assess the impacts due to of new generation mountain radar system and air defense sensor activity and evolve suitable mitigation measures to protect and conserve wildlife biodiversity following components were studied: a) Wildlife survey (diversity) b) Habitat study (feeding, breeding, roosting areas) c) Distribution of birds d) Rare & Endangered species of fauna e) Specific local characteristics of biodiversity in study area

2.1 Methodology for Faunal Study A linear transect of 1 km each was chosen for sampling at each site. Each transect was trekked for 1.5 h for sampling of animals through the following methods. For sampling butterflies, the standard ‘Pollard Walk’ method was employed and all the species were recorded daily. Voucher specimens of the species that could not be identified in the field were collected using of a butterfly net besides photographing them. For sampling birds, ‘point sampling’ along the fixed transect (foot trails) was carried out. All the species of birds were observed through a binocular and identified with the help of field guides and photographs. For sampling mammals, ‘direct count on open width (20m) transect’ was used. In addition, information on recent sightings/records of mammals by the villagers and locals was also collected. In case of reptiles mainly lizards were sampled by ‘direct count on open width transects’.

2.2 Status of Fauna All three sites of the projected affected area are completely covered with grasses and have no major faunal diversity. Therefore we prepared a complete checklist of fauna from project affected area and surrounding of project affected area. The list of fauna along with their relative abundance, global and national conservation priority status recorded during the survey is given below. Checklist of Mammals Common Name Scientific Name Common Leopard Panthera pardus Himalayan Brown Bear Ursus arctos isabellinus Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis Felis chaus Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Jackal Canis aureus Himalayan wolf Canis lupus Serow Nemorhaedus sumatraensis Hangul or Kashmir Stag Cervus elaphus hanglu Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster Himalayan yellowthroated Marten Martes flavigula Himalayan weasel Mustela sibirca Longtailed marmot Marmota caudata Indian porcupine Hystrix indica Himalayan Mouse Hare Ochotona roylei Common langur Semnopithecus ajex Rhesus macaque Macaca mullata

A. List of Birds

Bird Species recorded in Dachigam National Park Family Common Name Scientific Name Status 1. Accipitridae 1. Black kite Milvus migrans R 2. Sparrow Hawk Hiereatus nisus nisosimilis RM 3. Booted Eagle Hiereatus pennatus RM 4. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos R 5. Lammergier Gypaetus barbatus R 6. Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus R 7. White Rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis R 2. Falconidae 8. Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus RM

3. Phasianidae 9. Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa R 10. Lophophorus impejanus R 11. Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis R 12. Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus R 13. Chukar Alectoris chukar R

4. Columbidae 14. Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota R 15. Rock Pigeon Columba livia R 16. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis RM 17. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocta R 18. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensin R

5. Psittacidae 19. Rose Ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri R 20. Slaty Headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana R 21. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus RM 22. Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus conorus RM

6. Strigidae 23. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo R 24. Little Owl Athene noctua R

7. Aodidae 25. Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris R 26. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba RM 27. Common Swift Apus apus M 28. House Swift Apus affinis RM

8. Alcedinidae 29. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis R 30. Common Kingfisher Alceodo atthis RM 31. WhiteThroated Halcyon smyrnensis R Kingfisher

9. Coraciidae 32. European roller Coracias garrulous RM

10. Upupidae 33. Common hoopoe Upupa epops RM

11. Picidae 34. Scaly Bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus R 35. GreyHeaded Woodpecker Picus canus R 36. Himalayan Woodpecker Dendrocopos himalayensis R

12. Alaudidae 37. Crested lark Melanocorypha bimaculata R

13. Hirundinidae 38. Dusky crag martin Hirundo concolor R 39. Barn swallow Hirundo rustica RM 40. Striated swallow Hirundo daurica R

14. Oriolidae 41. Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus RM

15. Surnidae 42. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris RM 43. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis C 44. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus R

16. Corvidae 45. House Crow Corvus splendens R 46. Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus R 47. Jungle Crow Corvus macrophynchos R

17. Sylvinae 48. Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus R 49. Tytler’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri R 50. Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis R

18. Passerinae 51. House sparrow Passer domesticus 52. Passer rutilans 53. Eurasian sparrow Passer montanus

List of Butterflies

Butterfly Species recorded in Dachigam National Park Family Common Name Scientific Name Status Papilionidae 1. Common Yellow Papilio machaon L. Common Swallowtail Pieridae 2. Indian Cabbage White Pieris canidia Common 3. Large Cabbage White Pieris canidia Common 4. Common Gull Cepora nerissa Common 5. Dark Clouded Yellow Colias fieldii Common 6. Pale Clouded Yellow Colias erate Common 7. Bath White Pontia daplidice Common Lycaenidae 8. Common Copper Lycaena phaeas Common 9. Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra Common 10. Indian Cupid Everres lacturnus Common 11. Plains Cupid Chilades pandava Common 12. Lime Blue Chilades lajus Common 13. Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus Common 14. White Bordered Copper Lycaena pavana Common 15. Dusky Hedge Blue Oreolyce vardhana Common 16. White Hedge Blue Udara akasa Common 17. Lime blue Chilades lajus Common Nymphalidae 18. Common Beak Libythea lepita Common 19. Club beak Libythea myrrha Common 20. Striped Tiger Danaus genutia Common 21. Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Common 22. Indian fritillary Argyreus hyperbius Common 23. Small leopard Phalantha alcippe Common 24. Common leopard Phalantha phalantha Common 25. Great Satyr Aulocera padma Common 26. Common fourring Ypthima baldus Common 27. Indian fritillary Argyreus hyperbius Common 28. Large silver stripe Childrena children Common 29. Common leopard Phalanta phalantha Common 30. Himalayan Sergeant Athyma opalina Common 31. Common sailer Neptis hylas Common 32. Short banded sailer Phaedyma columella Common 33. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Common 34. Mountain tortoiseshell Aglais casmiriensis Rare

6.0 Impact on Terrestrial Ecology: In view of the fact that the vegetation composition of the core zone is also widely distributed in the study area (buffer zone) in abundance and therefore, neither any tree species, shrubs, herb nor any climber or grass species is either vulnerable or endangered. The impact going to be encountered on flora and fauna of the core zone are enumerated here under: • The existing vegetation in the core zone particularly in Project affected area will be affected which can be recovered by 30 green belt development in the project affected area. • No major or threatened faunal species have been reported from project affected. • During construction phase, there will hardly be any negative impacts on terrestrial ecosystem comprising birds and animals as the area is quite less. Hence adverse impact on biological environment will be negligible. • In surrounding projected affected area all floral and faunal diversity are safe and will not be disturbed or affected due to the establishment project. • Most of the species are protected as their respective families have been listed under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. However, Cervus elaphus hanglu and Moschus chrysogaster are threatened species globally as per IUCN Red List 2008. • The wildlife protection Act 1972 extends to whole of except Jammu & Kashmir.