Study Of Flora And Fauna In Study Area and impacts of projects
Biological environment
Ecology is the study of the relation and interactions between organisms and their environment. It comprises the floral and faunal communities of an area. With changes in environmental conditions, structure, density and composition of plants, animals also undergo changes. For the proposed study, the study area has been identified as 10km around the project site.
Himachal Pradesh is a predominantly mountainous state. Consequently, its climate is more congenial to forests. It comprises four forest zones-subtropical, sub-temperate, wet temprate and dry-temprate. The proposed mine area is situated in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. The forests of the tract are well scattered on both the banks of river Beas. Scrub forests, Bamboo forests, Chil forests, Scrub mixed with chil, sal and other Broad Leaved forests are present which occur due to altitude, edaphic and biotic factors. Kangra forest consist various type of vegetation and faunal biodiversity.
Objectives of the Study
For sustainable and eco-friendly mining project development, biological environment is studied. As per EIA 2006 norms study are classified in 2 parts. One is core zone where mining proposed and another part is buffer zone that’s 10 km radius of mine lease area.
The present study was undertaken with the following objectives:
To assess the nature and distribution of vegetation in and around the project site; To assess the distribution of animal life spectra; To understand the productivity of the water bodies; To assess the biodiversity and to understand the resource potential; and To ascertain migratory routes of fauna and possibility of breeding grounds.
Methodology for Baseline Data Generation
To achieve the above objectives a detailed study of the area was undertaken in 10km radius around proposed mine area. The different methods adopted were as follows:
Generation of primary data by undertaking systematic ecological studies in the area;
Mantec Consultants Pvt. Ltd Page 1
Discussion with local people so as to elicit information about local plants, animals and birds.
The primary data was generated through:-
Preparing a general checklist of all plants encountered in the study area. This would indicate the diversity for plants. Determining the bird population of migratory and local birds by taking 10 random readings at every Location; Observing mammals, amphibians and reptiles, noting their calls, droppings, burrows, pugmarks and other signs.
Core zone: The study area of core zone consist river bed with rocks. There is no vegetation present except some grasses.
Buffer zone: Buffer zone defined from mine lease area. It is 10km radius of ML area. There are 6 forest namely Panjal Reseve Forest (3.67 Km, SE), Dadhoa protected forest (4.25 km, NE), Sansarpur Reserve Forest (6.48 km, N), Chalan Protected Forest (7.33 Km, E), Karanpur Reserve Forest (8.54 km, NW) and Pong Dam Bird Sanctuary (~9.0 km) shown in Figure-1.
Mantec Consultants Pvt. Ltd Page 2
Figure 1: 10km Environmental Sensitivity Map
Mantec Consultants Pvt. Ltd Page 3
3.4. Flora
Study of biological environment is one of the important aspects in Environmental Impact Assessment in view of the need for conservation of Environmental quality. We were carried out a detailed enumeration of species occurrences of flora at various locations were observed and typical plant species were collected. The visual observations of plants were recorded with a view to obtaining some idea about the relative density of certain species and their predominance. Project influence area have several floral species have been reported with some prominent tree species are Cassia fistula, Ficus bengalenses, Aegle marmelos, Phoenix sylvestris, Mangifera indica, Azadaricta indica, Dalbergia sisso, Calotropis procera, Terminalica arjuna.
Sum of 111 plant species were recorded illustrated inTable-1.
Table 1: List of Flora Present in Study Area
S. No. Family Botanical Name Local Name 1. Acanthaceae Adhatoda zeylanica Basuti 2. Acanthaceae Strobilanthes auriculata Kapur minngar 3. Agavaceae Agave americana Ram ban 4. Amaranthaceae Deeringia amaranthoides Bhirang 5. Anacardiceae Mangifera indica Aam 6. Anacardiceae Pistacia integerrima Kakrain 7. Anonaceae Miliusa velutina Chopar chilla 8. Apocynceae Ichinocarpus frutescens Bakkarbel 9. Apocynceae Carissa opaca Garuna 10. Apocynceae Nerium oleander Ghanira Gandheela 11. Apocynceae Holarrhena pubescens Keor 12. Apocynceae Wrightia arborea Khalawa 13. Arecaceae Phoenix sylvestris Khajoor 14. Asclepiadaceae Calotropis procera Aak 15. Asclepiadaceae Cryptolepis buchananii Jaman khumb 16. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides Gha buti 17. Bignoniaceae Stereospermum chelonoides Padal 18. Bignoniaceae Oroxylum indicum Tatplanga
19. Bombacaceae Bombax cieba Simal 20. Caeselpinaceae Cassia fistula Amaltas 21. Caeselpinaceae Cassia occidentalis Chakunda 22. Caeselpinaceae Bauhinia variegata Kachnar, Karal 23. Caeselpinaceae Bauhinia malabarica Kacnnar, Karal 24. Caeselpinaceae Cassia tora Panwar 25. Caeselpinaceae Caesalpinia decapetala Ralan, Arlu 26. Caeselpinaceae Bauhinia vahlii Taur 27. Cannabinaceae Cannabis sativa Bhang 28. Capparaceae Crataeva religiosa Barna 29. Celastraceae Euonymus pendulus Bharmela 30. Celastraceae Celastrus paniculatus Sankhiran 31. Combretaceae Terminalia arjuna Arjan 32. Combretaceae Terminalia bellirica Bahera 33. Combretaceae Anogeissus latifolius Chhal 34. Combretaceae Terminalia chebula Harar 35. Cuscutaceae Cuscuta reflexa Amar bel 36. Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea deltoides - 37. Dipterocarpaceae Shorea robusta Sal 38. Ebenaceae Diospyros cordifolia Kala dhao 39. Ehretiaceae Cordia vestita Kumbhi 40. Ehretiaceae Cordia dichotoma Lasura 41. Ehretiaceae Ehretia acuminata Sakar 42. Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus emblica Amla 43. Euphorbiaceae Glochidion velutinum Chamar-saman 44. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia royleana Chhun 45. Euphorbiaceae Bridelia squamosa Gaddi 46. Euphorbiaceae Jatropha curcas Jamnota 47. Euphorbiaceae Mallotus philippensis Kamal 48. Euphorbiaceae Bischofia javanica Marak 49. Fabaceae Butea monosperma Dhak, Plah 50. Fabaceae Mucuna pruriens Gajal bel
51. Fabaceae Desmodium velutinum Jagru 52. Fabaceae Abrus precatorius Rattak 53. Fabaceae Pueraria tuberosa Salod 54. Fabaceae Dalbergia sissoo Shisham 55. Fabaceae Pongamia pinnata Sukhcha 56. Liliaceae Asparagus racemosus Musli 57. Lythraceae Woodfordia fruticosa Dhawi 58. Malpighiaceae Aspidopterys wallichii Dhur bel 59. Malpighiaceae Hiptage benghalensis Malti wan 60. Malvaceae Urena lobata Unga 61. Meliaceae Melia azedarach Drek 62. Meliaceae Azadirachta indica Neem 63. Meliaceae Toona ciliata Tun Tun 64. Menispermaceae Stephania elegans Batindu 65. Mimosaceae Albizia odoratissima Karmaru 66. Mimosaceae Acacia catechu Khair 67. Mimosaceae Acacia nilotica spp. indica Kikar 68. Mimosaceae Albizia chinensis Ohi 69. Mimosaceae Acacia modesta Phalai 70. Mimosaceae Acacia leucophloea Riur 71. Moraceae Ficus benghalensis Bohar 72. Moraceae Ficus hispida Dagur 73. Moraceae Ficus palmata Dogla 74. Moraceae Ficus nemoralis Dudla 75. Moraceae Ficus semicordata Kandroi 76. Moraceae Ficus subincisa Karanda 77. Moraceae Morus serrata Karun 78. Moraceae Ficus virens Padari 79. Moraceae Ficus rumphii Palakh 80. Moraceae Ficus religiosa Pipal 81. Moraceae Ficus sarmentosa Rudhar 82. Moraceae Ficus racemosa Rumbal
83. Moraceae Morus macroura Shah-tut 84. Moraceae Morus australis Sia-tut 85. Moraceae Morus alba Tut 86. Moringaceae Moringa oleifera Sanan 87. Myrsinaceae Maesa indica Burkani 88. Oleaceae Olea ferruginea Kao 89. Pinaceae Pinus roxburghii Chil 90. Poaceae Eulaliopsis binata Bagar 91. Poaceae Dendrocalamus strictus Bans Bain 92. Poaceae Chrysopogan montana Dholu 93. Poaceae Saccharum spontaneum Kahi 94. Poaceae Artistida adscensionis Lambi 95. Poaceae Hetropogon contortus Lambu 96. Poaceae Sorghum nitidum Lunji 97. Poaceae Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Mohar 98. Punicaceae Punica granatum Anar 99. Rubiaceae Hymenodictyon orixense Barthua 100. Rutaceae Aegle marmelos Bil 101. Rutaceae Murraya koenigii Gandhla 102. Rutaceae Murraya paniculata Nargan 103. Sterculiaceae Helicteres isora Maror phalli 104. Tiliaceae Grewia optiva Dhaman 105. Tiliaceae Grewia eriocarpa Phalsa 106. Urticaceae Boehmeria platyphylla Padara 107. Verbenaceae Vitex negundo Bana 108. Verbenaceae Premna barbata Ginani 109. Verbenaceae Tectona grandis Sagwan 110. Vitaceae Cayratia trifolia Chamar bel 111. Vitaceae Ampelocissus latifolia Giddar Dakh 112. Cactaceae Opuntia elatior -
3.5. Fauna
The information of important terrestrial animal groups such as birds, reptiles and mammals were collected by trekking inhabiting areas, along the road, nearby village areas and agricultural fields present in the impact zone. An inventory of the animals has been prepared separately for mammals, reptiles and birds. The faunal species are reported as Common Emmigrant, Pioneer, Monitor Lizard, Common myna, Gray Partridges, Indian Treepie, Parakeet, Jungle Crow, House Crow, Rock Pigeon, Green Bee eater, Red Watlled lopwing, Wood pecker and Indian hare. Some primary flora observed during the field survey presented in below table
Out of which 17 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, 5 species of reptile, 4 species of fishes and 03 species of amphibians were recorded. Class wise list of species has been given below in Table-2 to 6 and shown in Figure-2.
50 45 40
s 35 e i c 30 e p S
25 f o
. 20 o
N 15 10 5 0 Mammals Birds Reptile Fishes Amphibians Fauna
Figure 2: Class-wise Status of fauna Species
Table 2. List of Mammals recorded in study area
S.No. Zoological Name Common English Status as per Wildlife Name Conservation Act, 1972 & amendments 1. Boselaphus tragocamelus Blue Bull III 2. Sus scrofa Wild boar III 3. Cervas unicolor Sambhar - 4. Canis aureus Jackal II 5. Herpestes edwardsi Common Mongoose -
6. Macaca mulatta Rhesus Monkey II 7. Panthera pardus Leopard I 8. Felis chaus Jungle cat II 9. Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus Rufous tailed hare - 10. Presbytis entellus Langur II 11. Funambulus pennant Five striped Palm IV Squirrel 12. Mus booduga Indian Field Mouse - 13. Rattus rattus Common House Rat - 14. Mus musculus House Mouse - 15. Pteropus giganteus Flying Fox - 16. Rousettus leschenaultia Fruit bat -
Table 3. List of Reptiles Studied in Study Area
S. No. Zoological Name Common English name Status as per Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972 & amendments 1. Lacerta vivipara Common lizard - 2. Calotes versicolor Garden lizard - 3. Bangarus caeruleus Common Indian crait - 4. Ancistrodon Himalayan pit viper - himalayanus 5. Naja naja Indian Cobra II
Table 7. List of Amphibians in the Study Area
S. No. Scientific Name Local Name Status as per Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972 & amendments 1. Amolops sp Cascade frogs - 2. Rana sp. Pond frogs II 3. Bufo melanastictus Common Asian Toad -
Table 4. List of Fishes in the Study Area
S. No. Zoological Name Local Name 1. Labeo rohita Rohu 2. Catla catla Catla 3. Barbus (tor) putitora Mahasheer 4. Clarias batrachus Mangur
Table 5. List of Birds in the Study Area
S. No. English Name Scientific Name 1. Phalacrocorax niger Little Cormorant 2. Tachyboptus ruficollis Little Grabe 3. Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 4. Ardea purpurea Purple heron 5. Casmerodius albus Large Egret 6. Mesophoyx intermedia medin Erget 7. Bubulcus ibis Cattle erget 8. Ardeola grayii Indian Pond Heron 9. Ciconia episcopus White necked strock 10. Threkiornis melanocephalus Oriental white ibis 11. Anas platyrhynchos Mallard 12. Anas strepera Gadwal 13. Cotuornix coromandelica Rain Quail 14. Vanellus duvaucelii River lapwing 15. Vanellus indicus Red wattled lapwing
16. Vanellus vanellus Northern lapwing 17. Columba livia Blue rock pigeon 18. Streptopellia senegalensis Little brown dove 19. Streptopelia chinensis Spotted dove 20. Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian collared dove 21. Psittacula eupatria Alexandrine Parakeet 22. Psittacula krameri Rose Ringed parakeet 23. Psittacula cyanocephala Plum headed parakeet 24. Eudynamys scolopacea Asian Koel 25. Centropus sinensis Greater coucal 26. Tyto alba Barn owl 27. Bubo nipalensis Forest eagle owl 28. Athene brama Spotted Owlet 29. Alcedo atthis Small blue kingfisher 30. Halcyon smyrensis white breasted kingfisher 31. Merops orientalis Small Bee eater 32. Caracias banghalensis Indian Roller 33. Upupa epops Common hoopoe 34. Megalaima zeylanica Brown headed barbet 35. Megalaima asiatica Blue throated barbet 36. Dndrocopos macei Fulvous breasted Pied Woodpecker 37. Picus xanthopygaeus Little scaly bellied green Woodpecker 38. Dinopium benghalense Lesser golden backed Woodpecker 39. Pycnonotus leucogenys Himalayan Bulbul 40. Pycnonotus cafer Red vented Bulbul 41. Acridotheres ginginianus Bank myna 42. Dicrurus macrocercus Black drango 43. Dendrocitta vagabunda Indian Treepie 44. Corvus splendens House crow 45. Corvus macrorhynchos Jungle Crow 46. Copsychus saularis Oriental Magpie Robin 47. Saxicoloides fulicata Indian Robin
48. Ficedula tricolor Slaty blue Flycatcher 49. Lonchura punctulata Spotted munia 50. Passer domesticus House Sparrow
Impact of Project on Environment And Their Mitigation
General
Identification of all potential environmental impacts due to project is an essential step of Environmental Impact Assessment. In case of mining projects, impacts on biodiversity, air pollution, water pollution, waste management and social issues are significant. Both direct and indirect environmental impacts will be created on various environmental attributes due to proposed mining activity in the surrounding environment, during the operational phase.
The occurrence of sand, bajri, boulder (minor mineral) deposits, being site specific, their exploitation often does not allow for any choice except adoption of eco-friendly operation. Positive impacts on socio-economic environment are expected due to creation of employment opportunities. Mining activities are normally carried out over a long period which also encourages development in the area such as roads, schools, hospitals etc.
Several scientific techniques and methodologies are available to predict impacts of physical environment. Mathematical models are the best tools to quantitatively describe the cause and effect relationships between sources of pollution and different components of environment. In cases where it is not possible to identify and validate a model for a particular situation, predictions have been arrived at based on logical reasoning/consultation/extrapolation.
The following parameters are of significance in the Environmental Impact Assessment and are being discussed in detail:
1. Land Environment 2. Soil Environment 3. Water Environment 4. Air Environment 5. Noise Environment 6. Biological Environment 7. Socio-Economic Environment 8. Solid Waste 9. Traffic Environment
Land Environment
Since mining is being carried out by opencast manual method, it is expected to affect the land environment essentially. Impact assessment study on land environment can be done by considering land use pattern/land cover, topography, drainage pattern and geological features of the mine site as well as the study area.
Anticipated Impact
Mining activity will impact river bed topography by formation of excavation voids. River bed mining may bring in some change in topography at the nearby area of the mine lease. Stacks of solid waste generated from mining activity may hinder the flow of water in monsoon season.
Mitigation Measures
Adopting suitable, site-specific mitigation measures can reduce the degree of impact of mining on land. Some of the land-related mitigation measures are as follows:
Excavated pits will get replenished annually in monsoon itself & will be restored to original. The mine working will remain confined to allotted river bed only, so it will not disturb any surface area outside the mine lease area which may affect topography or drainage. Solid waste will not be stacked on the bank side as it will hinder the flow of water in monsoon season.
Soil Environment
Anticipated Impacts
Operational activities like excavation and removal of sand, bajri, boulder would invariably disturb the soil of the area. No major impact on soil of the study area is envisaged due to mining activities as there is no stack emission or any other activity involved in operational phase of mining activity.
During operation of mine, the soil within or nearby mine lease areamay undergo
physico-chemical changes due to deposition of SPM and washout of gases (SO2 and NOx) during the rains. However, the impacts of these are likely to be marginal.
Mitigation Measures
There is negligible amount of soil present in the river bed therefore impact will be marginal. Fugitive dust emission shall remain confined locally within working area and emission at haul road will be controlled by water sprinkling and plantation. Mining will not be carried out during rainy season and during other seasons these fugitive emissions will not interact with soil as it is opencast mining so no harm to soil will occur.
Water Environment
The impact of mining project on groundwater hydrology and surface water regime are site specific and depends upon the characteristics of the mineral, hydrogeology and requirement of groundwater for other uses.
Anticipated Impact
River recharges the groundwater; excessive mining will reduce the thickness of the natural filter materials (sediments), through which the groundwater is recharged. Mining activity may intersect groundwater level. Waste water generated from the mining activity will cause water pollution. Domestic wastewater generated from temporary toilets may cause contamination in water.
Mitigation Measures
Restriction in excavation depth will be made compulsory to avoid reduction in the thickness of the natural filter materials. Mining in the area will be done well above the water table as well as river bed water level therefore; much impact on water regime is not anticipated.
No waste water will be generated from the mining activity of sand, bajri, boulder (minor minerals) as the project only involves their extraction from river bed. The domestic wastewater generated from temporary toilets used by the work force will be treated in septic tank followed by soak pit. Therefore, impact on water quality due to proposed unit would be insignificant.
Air Environment
The air quality in the mining area depends upon the nature and concentration of emissions take place from mining activities and meteorological conditions.
Anticipated Impact
Mining operations carried out by opencast manual method generate dust particles due to extraction, loading and transportation of sand/bajri/boulder. The dust liberated in mining and other related operations is injurious to heath if inhaled in sufficient quantity. Gases, such as, Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen etc. get emitted from vehicular exhaust.
Mitigation Measures
Proper mitigation measures like water sprinkling will be adopted to control dust emissions. Masks will be provided to workers. To control the fossil fuel gas emissions regular preventive maintenance of equipment will be carried out on contractual basis.
Noise Environment
The area in general represents calm surroundings. There is no heavy traffic, industry or noisy habitation in the area nearby proposed mine. As the project is proposed for opencast manual mining method there will be no blasting or drilling activities involved in mining process.
Anticipated Impact
The source of Noise pollution will be the vehicular movements. Noise will be generated by the digging of mine area using shovels, crowbars etc.
Mitigation Measures
Proper maintenance of all transportation vehicles will be carried out which help in reducing noise during operations. No other equipments except the transportation vehicles will be allowed. Noise generated by hand equipments shall be intermittent and does not cause much adverse impact.
Biological Environment
The mining activity will have insignificant effect on the existing flora and fauna. Data have been collected from various Government Departments such as forests, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and various offices to establish the pre project biological environmental conditions. The purpose of the project itself is to save the flora around the project area from river widening, excessive erosion and floods. It was found that the proposed mining activity will not have any significant impact on the biological environment of the region. Since the river is mostly seasonal there shall be significant impact on the aquatic flora and fauna downstream of the mining site due to increase in suspended particulate matter, movement of vehicle, removal of sand, bajri and boulders shall disturb substratum.
Anticipated Impact
Flora
The proposed project of river bed sand, bajri, boulder mining shall be carried out on the Sohan Khad, which does not have any trees. Hence, no tree cutting is involved. The project shall also not lead to any change in landuse and will be replenished every year after successive rain.
The project seeks permission to carry out the mining activity, which though is an economically gainful activity, but also constitutes river training work. It allows for necessary dredging activity which otherwise leads to flooding of nearby banks. With the proposed riverbed mining activity, as the river bed deepens, the banks will eventually be available for secondary succession of vegetation.
There shall be negligible air emissions or effluents from the project site. During loading the truck, dust generation will be likely. This shall be a temporary effect and not anticipated to affect the surrounding vegetation significantly.
Fauna
Animals are sensitive to noise and avoid human territory. The animals accessing the river at the project stretch are likely to shift upstream or downstream of the stretch during the mining activities.
There will be no impact on aquatic environment due to mining because the river dries up considerably and is reduced to no flow during lean season. Water flows only in rainy season through Sohan Khad Bed. No fishes are reported in the study stretch of the river.
Hence, no significant impact on the fauna is anticipated from the proposed project.
Mitigation Measures
Flora
Although, the project will not lead to any tree cutting, it is proposed to improve the greenery of the locality by plantation services. To avoid dust emissions, the mined materials will be covered with tarpaulin during transportation.
Fauna
The workers shall be directed to not venture out of the leased area for collecting fuel wood, or hunting. They shall also be trained to not harm any wildlife, should it come near the project site. No work shall be carried out after 6.00 pm.
Socio-economic Environment
The Socio–Economic Impact Assessment is the systematic analysis used during EIA to identify and evaluate the potential socio-economic and cultural impacts of a proposed development on the lives and circumstances of people, their families and their communities. It can identify and distinguish numerous measurable impacts of a proposed development but not every impact may be significant. The population who gets affected either directly or indirectly by the proposed project can tell whether the impacts caused by project are significant or not.
Anticipated Impact
As the project is proposed at government land, no resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) is required. The local people’s only employment to depend on is agriculture, which is seasonal. In the absence of any high employment potential activities, the people are economically backward. There are some people who are engaged in trading of sand, bajri, boulder. Therefore due to mining of sand, bajri, boulder the per capita income of local people have been improved.
Mitigation Measures
Increased funding for nearby people to improve social infrastructure and cultural maintenance programs. Various direct and indirect employment opportunities will be generated by the proposed project. A better standard of living due to increased access to employment, business opportunities, training and education will be there. It is suggested that during mining, all safety provisions has to be ensured to negate any likely impacts on social environment due to associated hazards.
Solid-Waste
Anticipated Impact
This RBM project does involve negligible quantity of waste generation in form of slit mixed sand and soil which gets deposited as crust material on the bed profile and is extracted during mining process. No municipal waste other than domestic sewage shall be generated, However, there will be about 20 workers on site. While cooking at site will not be allowed, some food wastes can be expected to be generated which if not disposed properly will render the site dirty.
Mitigation Measures
Silt mixed or soil generated during mining process will be either rod filling or can be used for plantation purpose.
Domestic sewage shall be disposed into septic tank followed by soak pits. However, solid wastes generated from the personal habits of people such as used bidis, waste paper, food remains etc. cannot be ruled out. Dustbins shall be provided at the rest places. These dustbins shall be emptied daily at the nearest dhalaos from the site.
Traffic Environment
Mine site is well connected to SH-25 by Village Road. Road is wide enough to facilitate easy and smooth movement of vehicles. At present the traffic load at village Road is 460 vehicles per day and at SH-25 are 555 per day approximately. Due to the proposed project there will be addition of 30 HMV and LMV in the existing traffic, hence the changes will be very marginal and will not affect the existing environment.
Anticipated Impact
Increase in traffic density will lead to air pollution. Movement of vehicles will cause noise pollution. Increased traffic may cause accidental incidences.
Mitigation Measures
Vehicles with PUC Certificate will be hired. Regular maintenance of vehicles will be done to ensure smooth running of vehicle. Un- necessary blowing of horn will be avoided. To avoid accidents the speed of vehicles will be low near habitation areas.