BIO DIVERSITY IMPACT ASSESMENT REPORT

FLORAL DIVERSITY Core Zone (Mine Lease Area) This zone is mainly dominated by plantation of various species. Presently core zone encompasses well grown trees with 25 species which included common tees as well as fruiting trees. Details of the floral species reported from the core zone are as follows:- Flora Reported from Core Zone of the Study Area S. No. Species Name Common Name 1 Mangifera indica Mango 2 Guava 3 Neem 4 Dalbergia sissoo Sissoo 5 Syzygium cumini Jamun 6 Citrus limon Leamon 7 Eucalyptus globulus Sapheda 8 Gular 9 Acacia tortilis Babool 10 Senna siamea Seemia 11 Neolamarckia cadamba Kadam 12 Artocarpus heterophyllus Kathal 13 Phyllanthus emblica Amla 14 Morus macroura Sahtoot 15 Cassia fistula Amaltash 16 Ficus religiosa Peepal 17 Citrus sinensis Orange 18 Chikoo 19 Pongamia pinnata karanj 20 Bauhinia variegata Kachnar 21 Tectona grandis Sagwan 22 Aegle marmelos Bel 23 Moringa oleifera Sahjan 24 Tamarindus indica Imali 25 Parkinsonia aculeata Vilayati Babul, Vilayati kikar Apart from the above said trees species other common herbs and shrubs species were also reported from the core zone.

Buffer Zone Buffer zone of the study area supports 203 floral species which are enlisted below along with their life forms habit and family.

Flora Reported from Buffer Zone of the Study Area Family No. Species No. Scientific Name Habit 1 Acanthaceae 1 Adhatoda vasica (L.) Nees. US 2 Adhatoda zeylanica US 3 Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Heine US 4 Indoneesiella echioides (L.) Sreem. H 5 Justicia simplex Don H 2 Agavaceae 6 Agave americana L. S 3 Alangiaceae 7 Alangium salvifolium (L. f.) Wang. T 4 Amaranthaceae 8 Achyranthes aspera L. var. argentea Hook. f. H 9 Aerva persica (Burm.f.) Merrill H 10 Amaranthus spinosus L. H 11 Amaranthus viridis L. H 12 Gomphrena celosioides Mart H 13 Gomphrena globosa L. US 14 Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. US 5 Anacardiaceae 15 Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Hrrrill T 16 Mangifera indica L. T 6 Annonaceae 17 L. ST 7 Apocynaceae 18 Carissa congesta Wt. S Holarrhena antidysenterica (Heyne ex Roth) 19 Wall. T 20 Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. T 21 Wrightia tomentosa R. & S. T 8 Arecaceae 22 Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. T 9 Asclepiadaceae 23 Calotropis gigantia (L.) R. Br. US 24 Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. S 25 Pentatropis spiralis (Forsk.) Decne TW 10 Asteraceae 26 Acanthospermum hispidum DC. H 27 Ageratum conyzoides L. H 28 Blumea eriantha DC. H 29 Dicoma tomentosa Cass. H 30 Echinops echinatus Roxb. US 31 Eclipta alba. L H Gnaphalium luteo-album L. subsp. affine (D. 32 Don) Koster H 33 Parthenium hysterophorus L. H 34 Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. H 35 Sphaeranthus indicus L. H 36 Tridax procumbens L. H 37 Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. H 38 Xanthium strumarium L. H 11 Balanitaceae 39 Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. ST 12 Bignoniaceae 40 Tecomella undulata (Sw.) Seem. ST 13 Bombacaceae 41 Bombax ceiba L. T 14 Boraginaceae 42 Coldenia procumbens L. H 15 Brassicaceae 43 Brassica juncea (L.) Coss. H 16 Burseraceae 44 Boswellia serrata Roxb. T 17 Caesalpiniaceae 45 Bauhinia purpurea L. T 46 Bauhinia racemosa Lam. T 47 Cassia auriculata L. S 48 Cassia fistula L. T 49 Cassia occidentalis L. H 50 Cassia tora L. H 51 Tamarindus indica L. T 18 Capparaceae 52 Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. US 53 Capparis sepiaria L. C 54 Cleome viscosa L. H 19 Celastreceae 55 Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) D. Hou T 20 Combretaceae 56 Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb.) Wall. ex Bedd. T 57 Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A. T 58 Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. T 21 Commelinaceae 59 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. H 22 Convolvulaceae 60 Convolvulus arvensis L. H 61 Convolvulus microphyllus (Roth) Sieb. ex Spr. H 62 Ipomoea aquatica H 63 Ipomoea eriocarpa R. Br. TH 64 Ipomoea fistulosa Mart. STS 65 Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth TW 66 Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker- Gawl TW 67 Ipomoea pes-tigridis L. H 68 Rivea hypocrateriformis Choisy C 69 Ipomoea aquatica H 23 Cucurbitaceae 70 Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. C 71 Cucumis sativus L. C 72 Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. C 73 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. C 24 Cuscutaceae 74 Roxb. P 25 Cyperaceae 75 Cyperus compressus L. SE 76 Cyperus rotundus L. subsp. rotundus SE 26 Ebenaceae 77 Diospyros chloroxylon Roxb. T 78 Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. T 27 Ehretiaceae 79 Cordia dichotoma Forst. ST 28 Euphorbiaceae 80 Acalypha ciliata Forsk. H 81 Acalypha indica L. H 82 Bridelia retusa (L.) Spr. T 83 Emblica officinalis Gaertn. T 84 Euphorbia caducifolia Hains. S 85 Euphorbia hirta L. H 86 Euphorbia parviflora L. H 87 Jatropha curcas L. S 88 Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn. H 89 Phyllanthus fraternus Webst. H Securinega virosa (Roxb. Ex Willd.) Pax & 90 Hoffm. S 29 91 Abrus precatorius L. C 92 Alysicarpus monilifer (L.) DC. var. monilifer H 93 Alysicarpus procumbens (Roxb.) Schindl. H 94 Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. T 95 Cassia pumila Lam. H 96 Clitora ternatea L. TW 97 Crotalaria burhia Buch-Ham. ex Bth US 98 Derris indica (Lam.) Bennet T 99 Indigofera cordifolia Heyne ex Willd. H 100 Indigofera tinctoria L. S 111 Indigofera linifolia H 112 Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. var. minima TW 113 Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. H 114 Tephrosia villosa (L.) Pers. H 115 Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek var. radiata H 116 Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdcourt H 30 Flacourtiaceae 117 Flacourtia indica (Burm. F.) Merr. ST 31 Lamiaceae 118 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Spr. H 119 Ocimum basillicum L. H 120 Ocimum sanctum L. H 32 Liliaceae Asparagus racemosus Willd. var. javanicus 121 (Kunth) Baker C 122 Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker H 123 Dipcadi erythraeum Webb. & Berth. H 33 124 falcata (L. f.) Etting var. falcata P Malvaceae 125 Abutilon indicum (L.) Sw. subsp. indicum US 126 Sida cordifolia L. US 127 Hibiscus ovalifolius US 35 Martiniaceae 128 Martyinia annua L. US 36 Meliaceae 129 Azadirachta indica T 37 Menispermaceae 130 Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels C 38 Mimosaceae 131 Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd. T Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. subsp. indica(Bth.) 132 Brenan T 133 Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. T 134 Acacia tortalis (Forsk.) Hayne. T 135 Albizia lebbeck (L.) Bth. T 136 Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) W.& A. S 137 Mimosa hamata Willd. US 138 Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Bth. T 139 Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce T 140 Prosopis juliflora S 39 Molluginaceae 141 Gisekia pharnaceoides L. var. pharnaceoides H 142 Mollugo pentaphylla L. H 40 Moraceae 143 Ficus racemosa L. T 144 Ficus religiosa L. T 41 Moringaceae 145 Moringa oleifera Lam. T 42 Myrtaceae 146 Eucalyptus globulus Labill. T 147 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skells T 148 Syzygium rubicundum W. & A. T 43 Nympheaceae 149 Nymphaea pubescens Willd. H 44 Oxalidaceae 150 Oxalis corniculata L. H 45 Papaverceae 151 Argemone mexicana L. H 46 Passifloraceae 152 Passiflora edulis Sims C 47 Pedaliaceae 153 Sesamum indicum L. H 48 Periplocaceae 154 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Schult. TW 49 Poaceae 155 Phragmites karka G 156 Aristida funiculata Trin. & Rupr. G 157 Bothriochloa glabra (Roxb.) A. G 158 Cenchrus ciliaris L. G Cenchrus pennisetiformis Hochst. & Steud. ex 159 Steud. G 160 Cenchrus setigerus Vahl G 161 Chloris barbata Sw. G 167 Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats G 168 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. G 169 Dactyloctenium aegypticum (L.) P. Beauv. G 170 Dendrocalamus strictus Nees S Eleusine compressa (Forsk.) Aschers. & 171 Schweinf. G 172 Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. G 173 Eragrostis ciliaris (L.) R. Br. var. ciliaris G 174 Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. G 50 Rhamnaceae 175 Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. ST 176 Zizyphus nummularia (Burm. F.) W. & A. US 177 Zizyphus xylopyra (Retz.) Willd. ST 178 Zizyphus truncata US 51 Rubiaceae 179 Ixora arborea Roxb. ST 180 Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. T 52 Rutaceae 181 Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. T 53 Simaroubaceae 182 Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. T 54 Solanaceae 183 Solanum incanum L. US 184 Physalis longifolia H 55 Sterculiaceae 185 Sterculia urens Roxb. T 186 Guazuma ulmifolia ST 56 Tiliaceae 187 Grewia hirsuta Vahl. US 188 Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori US 57 Ulmaceae 189 Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. T 58 Verbenaceae 190 Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm. f.) O. Ktez. ST Lantana camara auct. Non L. var. aculcata (L.) 191 Mold. US 192 Tectona grandis L.f. T 193 Vitex negundo L. ST 59 Vitaceae 194 Cayratia carnosa (Lam.) Gagnep. C 60 Zygophyllaceae 195 Tribulus terrestris L. H 61 Hydrocharitaceae 196 Hydrilla verticillata H 62 Salviniaceae 197 Salvinia auriculata Pteridophyte 198 Azolla pinnata Pteridophyte 63 Marsileaceae 199 Marsilea minuta Pteridophyte 64 Adiantaceae 200 Adiantum incisum Pteridophyte 65 Pteridaceae 201 Actiniopteris radiata Pteridophyte 66 Ophioglossaceae 202 Ophioglossum petiolatum Pteridophyte 67 Isoetaceae 203 Isoetes tuberculata Pteridophyte T: Tree, ST: Small Tree, S: Shrub, H: Herb, G: Grass, US: Under Shrub, C: Climber, TW: Twinner.

FAUNAL DIVERSITY Herpetfauna Core Zone No any reptile or amphibian species were reported from the core zone of the study area. Buffer Zone Overall 14 species belonging to six different groups were reported from the buffer zone on the basis of direct and indirect evidences. One lizard species i.e. Varanus bengalensis and all four snake species have been included in the list on the basis secondary evidences (interviews of local peoples by showing colored pictures). Herpetofauna Recorded from Buffer zone of the Study Area with their Conservation Status (IWPA and IUCN) S. No. Family Taxa Common English IWPA 1972 - IUCN Name 1991 I. Amphibians 1 Bufonidae Bufo stomaticus Marbled Toad -- LR-nt 2 Ranidae Euphlyctis Skittering Frog Schedule IV LR-nt cyanophlyctis II. Geckos 3 Gekkonidae Hemidactylus brookii Spotted Indian House -- LR-lc Gecko 4 Hemidactylus Yellow Bellied House -- LR-lc flaviviridis Gecko 5 Hemidactylus Bark Gecko -- LR-lc leschenaultii III. Agamid lizards 6 Agamidae Calotes versicolor Indian Garden Lizard -- LR-nt 7 Sitana ponticeriana Fan-Throated Lizard -- LR-lc IV. Skink 8 Scincidae Mabuya carinata Common Keeled -- LR-nt Grass Skink IV. Lacertids 9 Lacertidae Acanthodactylus Indian Fringe-Toad -- LR-nt cantoris Lizard 10 Ophisops jerdoni Snake-Eyed Lacerta -- DD V. Monitor lizard 11 Varanidae Varanus bengalensis Common Indian Schedule I VU Monitor Lizard VI. Snakes 12 Boidae Eryx johnii* Eastern Red Sand Boa Schedule IV LR-lc 13 Colubridae Ptyas mucosa Indian Rat Snake Schedule II LR-nt 14 Viperidae Echis carinatus * Indian Saw-Scaled -- LR-nt Viper * included in the list based on the secondary sources Source: BCPP- , C.A.M.P workshop on Endangered Species Project, Zoo Outreach Organization, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, India, 22-26 April 1997.

Avifauna Core Zone Only 10 species i.e. Rock Pigeon, Laughing dove, Indian Roller, Common crow, Black drongo, Green bee-eater, House sparrow, Common myna, Indian robin and Common hoopoe were reported from the core zone of the study area. Most common species of this zone were Black drongo, House sparrow and Common myna.

Buffer Zone Totally 43 species from 24 families were reported from this zone. Maximum four species were reported from Columbidae and Sturnidae each. Most common species of the study area were Rock Pigeon, Laughing dove, and Red Collared dove, Indian Roller, Common crow, Black drongo, Green bee-eater, House sparrow, Grey francolin, Baya weaver, Red-vented bulbul, Common myna, Jungle babbler and Indian robin. Details of all species are enlisted bellow:- Avifauna Recorded from the Study Area With Their Conservation Status S. No. Family Taxa Common English Name IWPA 1972 1. Alcedinidae Halcyon smyrnensis White-throated kingfisher Schedule IV 2. Alcedohercules Common Kingfisher Schedule IV 3. Apodidae Apusaffinis sub sp. affinis House swift Schedule IV 4. Ardeidae Egrettagarzetta Little egret Schedule IV 5. Mesophoyxintermedia Intermediate egret Schedule IV 6. Bubulcus ibis Cattle egret Schedule IV 7. Charadriidae Vanelluscinereus Red-wattled lapwing Schedule IV 8. Vanellusmalabaricus Yellow-wattled Lapwing Schedule IV 9. Himantopushimantopus Blackwinged Stilt Schedule IV 10. Columbidae Columba livia Rock Pigeon Schedule IV 11. Streptopeliasenegalensis Laughing dove Schedule IV 12. Streptopeliadecaocto Eurasian Collared dove Schedule IV 13. Streptopeliatranquebarica Red Collared dove Schedule IV 14. Coraciidae Coraciasbenghalensis Indian Roller Schedule IV 15. Corvidae Corvussplendens Common crow Schedule V 16. Cuculidae Clamatorjacobinus Pied cuckoo Schedule IV 17. Centropusbengalensis Lesser coucal Schedule IV 18. Dicruridae Dicrurusmacrocercus Black drongo Schedule IV 19. Dicruruscaerulescens White-bellied drongo Schedule IV 20. Hirundinidae Hirundosmithii Wire-tailed swallow Schedule IV 21. Hirundodaurica Red-rumped swallow Schedule IV 22. Laniidae Laniusschach Long-tailed shrike Schedule IV 23. Laniusmeridionalis Southern grey shrike Schedule IV 24. Meropidae Meropsorientalis Green bee-eater Schedule IV 25. Motacillidae Motacillamaderaspatensis White-browed wagtail Schedule IV 26. Muscicapidae Oenanthepicata Variable wheatear Schedule IV 27. Nectariniidae Nectariniaasiatica Purple Schedule IV 28. Passerinae Passer domesticus House sparrow Schedule IV 29. Francolinuspondicerianus Grey francolin Schedule IV 30. Phasianidae Pavo cristatus Indian peafowl Schedule I 31. Ploceidae Ploceusphilippinus Baya weaver Schedule IV 32. Psittacidae Psittaculakrameri Rose-ringed parakeet Schedule IV 33. Pycnonotidae Pycnonotusjocosus Red-whishered bulbul Schedule IV 34. Pycnonotusleucotis White-eared bulbul Schedule IV 35. Pycnonotuscafer Red-vented bulbul Schedule IV 36. Sturnidae Sturnuspagodarum Brahminy starling Schedule IV 37. Sturnus contra Asian Pied starling Schedule IV 38. Acridotherestristis Common myna Schedule IV 39. Acridotheresginginianus Bank myna Schedule IV 40. Timaliinae Turdoidesmalcolmi Large grey babbler Schedule IV 41. Turdoidesstriatus Jungle babbler Schedule IV 42. Turdinae Saxicoloidedfulicata Indian robin Schedule IV 43. Upupidae Upupaepops Common hoopoe Schedule IV

Mammals Core Zone Only one species i.e. Funambulus pennantii (Five stripped palm squirrel) were reported from this zone. Buffer Zone Overall 8 species were reported from this zone (except Ragarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary). Some species like Suncus murinus , Lepus nigricollis and Vulpes bengalensis have been included in the list on the basis of secondary sources (interview of local people). List of mammals Recorded from the Study Area With Their Conservation Status S. No. Family Taxa Common English Name IUCN IWPA 1972 1 Cercopithecidae Macaca mulatta Rhesus macaque LR-lc Schedule-II 2 Presbytis entellus Common langur LR-lc Schedule-II 3 Canis aureus Jackal LR-lc Schedule-II 3 Herpestidae Herpestes edwardsi Mongoose LR-lc Schedule-II 4 Funambulus pennantii Five stripped palm LR-lc Schedule-IV Sciuridae squirrel 5 Rattus rattus Common House rat LR-lc Schedule-V Muridae 6 Mus booduga Indian field mouse LR-lc Schedule-IV

7 Tatera indica Indian Gerbill LR-lc Schedule-V 8 Soricidae Suncus murinus* Grey Musk Shrew LR-lc -- 9 Leporidae Lepus nigricollis* Indian Hare LR-lc Schedule-IV 10 Canidae Vulpes bengalensis* Indian Fox LR-nt Schedule-II * included in the list based on the secondary sources

Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary (RVWS) RVWS boundary is located at the distance of the 3.6 km from the lease boundary, so falls in the buffer zone (with in 10 km radius) of the study area. A sanctuary is spreads over 252.79 sq. kms. Habitat character is mainly encompasses Hilly, Dry Deciduous Forests on Vindhyan formations. Dominant Flora: main floral composition of the sanctuary encompasses tree species like Dhok (Angoeissus pendula ), Khair ( Acacia catechu ), Salar ( Boswellia serrata ) Khirni ( Manilkara hexandra ) trees are in abundance. However many hilly terrains are mainly cobered with Dhok A. pendula. Fauna: a sanctuary supports many schedule faunal species, the main mammalian species of conservation significance exists in the sanctuary are as follows:-

Species Name Common Name Conservation Status IWPA -1972 Panthera pardus Leopard Schedule-I Cervus unicolor Sambhar Schedule-III Sus scrofa Wild boar Schedule-III Gazella bennetiii Chinkara Schedule-I Melursus ursinus Sloth bear Schedule-I Canis lupus Indian Wolf Schedule-I Hyaena hyaena Hyaena Schedule-III Canis aureus Jackal Schedule-II Vulpes bengalensis Fox Schedule-II

Butterflies

Overall, 17 species from three families were reported during the survey period. Maximum species were reported from the agriculture hedges and forest patches. Species like Pachliopta aristolochiae, Eurema hecabe, Ixias Marianne , Ixias pyrene and Catopsilia Pomona were fairly common in the study area.

S. No. Scientific Name & Family Common name Family Papilionidae 1 Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricuis Common Rose Family Pieridae 2 Eurema hecabe Linnaeus Common Grass yellow 3 Catopsilia pomona Fabricius Common Emigrant 4 Linnaeus Mottled Emigrant 5 Ixias marianne Cramer White orange tip 6 Ixias pyrene Linnaeus Yellow orange tip 7 Appias albina Boisduval Common Albatross 8 Cerpora nerissa Fabricius Common Gull Family: Nymphalidae 9 Melanitis leda Linnaeus Common evening Brown 10 Acraea violae Fabricius Twany Coaster 11 Cynthia cardui Linnaeus Painted Lady 12 Junonia hierta Fabricius Yellow pansy 13 Junonia orithya Linnaeus Blue Pancy 14 Danaus chrysippus Plain Tiger 15 Danaus genutia Cramer Stripped Tiger 16 Hypolimanas misippus Danaid egg fly 17 Mycalesis perseus Common bush brown

RARE AND ENDANGERED OF THE STUDY AREA Some of the sighted fauna was given protection by the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by including them in different schedules. Among the birds in the study area, Pea fowl ( Pavo cristatus), is included in schedule I of Wild life protection Act (1972), while many other birds are included in schedule IV. Among the reptiles Indian Monitor Lizard ( Varanus bengalensis ) is protected under schedule-I, while Common rat snake ( Ptyas mucosus) is provided protection as per Schedule-II of Wild life protection act, (1972). Among mammals; though no any Schedule-I species sighted directly it is well known that Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary many animals out of which Panthera pardus , Gazella bennetiii , Melursus ursinus and Canis lupus are Schedule-I species.

ENDEMIC FAUNA OF THE STUDY AREA None of the sighted animal species can be assigned endemic species category of the study area.

MIGRATORY BIRDS & WINTER VISITORS IN THE STUDY AREA No migratory birds were observed in the study area during the survey conducted during survey period.

IMPACT ON BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Impact 1: Accusation of Forest land / land habitat which may result in deforestation, soil erosion and land degradation and; consequently habitat loss (Core Zone) The mine lease area; core zone is an existing mine lease and seeking permission for enhancement of production and do not require any additional area / land. Due to these reasons, the above said impacts like: accusation of land from protected forest and thereby loss of forest habitat was not visualized.

Impact 2: Impact on terrestrial biodiversity (Core Zone) Existing mine lease area (core zone) comprises only common floral and faunal species. Floral species includes plantation and common herb & shrub species, all these species will not cleared or uprooted. Similarly all the faunal species reported from core zone are also common and are well adapted to the existing environment, so these will not affected adversely. Moreover, core zone has not been reported as corridor as well as habitat of any Schedule-I / endangered species. Overall, there will be no impact of the existing biodiversity of the core zone.

Impact 3: Impact on aquatic biodiversity due to contamination of ground water or surface water due to rain washed waste water runoff from the dumps. (Core and Buffer Zone) In core zone, there is no perennial surface watercourse (river, major streams) or surface water body (pond and natural depression) within the leasehold area. Absence of natural and perennial water resources showed no direct impact on surface water due to proposed project. In buffer zone, there are two important water bodies i.e . jet Sagar and Phul Sagar Lake. These lakes are not linked through any natural water course with the mine lease. Due to this strategic location of the mining site and natural isolation not expected to have the above said impacts. Moreover, the excavation of mineral will not affect the ground water table which is lining at safer depth of 210 to 220 m; therefore the proposed mining will not disturb the ground water resource.

Impact 4: Loss of adjacent forest habitats and biodiversity (Buffer Zone) Adjacent forest habitat comprises open scrub vegetation and does not consist of any special / unique habitat vulnerable to the fragmentation or isolation. Moreover, except some common birds, no other wild species were reported from this patch of the forest. Therefore, just enhancement of the production from existing mine lease and related activities will not have any impacts like loss of forest habitat, floral species and associated faunal diversity. Proponent has already developed / carried out green belt plantation with variety of species towards the forest facing boundary of mine lease, therefore presently there is no disturbance to the forest area due to the existing activities of the mine lease.

Impact 5: Impact on flora and fauna due to air emissions and noise Existing conditions of air emissions in the existing mining lease area are well in the prescribed limits. Moreover, air modeling shows that, there will be no significant increase in same in future also and will be under standard limits. So there will be no adverse impact on the flora and fauna due to slight increase of air emissions due to production enhancement. Some part of the mining lease has already undergone green belt development. Additionally, suggested extensive and different types of road side plantation will help to control noise, dust and gas emission.

Impact 6: Impact on animal movement The strategic location of mine lease area is in the fringe of forest and not in the mid of any forest habitats, due to presence of only common species around the mine lease area, routine activities will not disturb the normal movements of the faunal species of the study area. Further above suggested extensive and different types of plantation activities to control noise and dust emission and plantation for habitat improvement will increase the vegetation cover and diversify of floral species in the post operational phase and ensure the faunal groups to use these mined out areas in future.

Impact 7: Impact on the threatened biodiversity of the study area Present study reported two Schedule-I species i.e. Varanus bengalensis and Pavo cristatus from buffer zone of the study area . Moreover, buffer zone includes some part of the Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary which also possesses Schedule-I species like Panthera pardus, Gazella bennetiii, Melursus ursinus and Canis lupus . Among above said species, Peafowl and Indian Monitor Lizard is very common and generally uses wide variety of habitats in the study area. Both species were not reported from any unique habitat types and they were found use all the habitat types like, agriculture area, waste land, forest habitat, Prosopis scrub which are extensively available in the buffer zone and beyond it. However, conservation plan for Peafowl is prepared. Movement of other above said species are restricted in the Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary or its adjacent habitats / areas and well protected by the state forest department, so they doesn’t attract any conservation efforts by the proponent. Overall, wider habitat use, extensive availability of habitat and reported away from the core zone revealed that, no significant impact can be visualized on these threatened fauna. Moreover, extensive afforestation programs suggested during operational and post mining stages can provide habitat for some of these species. MANAGEMENT Green Belt Development Existing Green Belt (3.0 ha.) Presently mine lease possess 3 ha. of green belt area, of which 0.9 ha. is towards North direction while 2.1 ha is forest facing plantation (East and South direction). Overall core zone possess 25 species of / trees. Out of these, greenbelt includes mainly wild tree species i.e. Azadirachta indica, Ficus racemosa, Acacia tortilis, Senna siamea, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Morus macroura, Ficus religiosa, Pongamia pinnata, Bauhinia variegate, Tectona grandis, Aegle marmelos, Tamarindus indica, Dalbergia sissoo and Parkinsonia aculeate. Office premises (Landscaping) includes mainly fruit species (i.e. Citrus limon, Phyllanthus emblica, Cassia fistula, Citrus sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica and Manilkara zapota) and other trees species (i.e. Eucalyptus globules, Neolamarckia cadamba ). Proposed Greenbelt (1.5 ha. up to Five Year) The species suggested includes the following criteria. • The suggested species list include species reported from the study area • Tree species which are tall and bearing larger canopy cover and leaf area • Tree species of different size classes (small, medium and larger) were suggested to maintain the different canopy levels at vertical profile. • Wild species were suggested to provide habitat for faunal species, increase the species diversity and maintain the naturalness.

Peripheral and Forest facing Plantation (East and South direction):- Though the Forest facing plantation has already been carried out, it will be further strengthened / improved by addition of some more tree species which will help to reduce impacts like dust, noise and gas emissions. This plantation will include drought resistant species and also indicator species like Ficus religiosa and Syzygium cumini . Some of these species will help to control noise level and gas emissions towards the forest side and improve ecological conditions of the project as well as forest adjacent area. Species proposed for plantation and their ecological characters are described in following table. Species Recommended for Greenbelt Development S. Species Name / Hindi Name Ecological Characters No. 1 Dalbergia sissoo (Sisam) drought resistant tree, Dust and gas pollution controller, 2 Azadiracta indiaca (Neem) Drought resistant tree, Noise, gas and dust pollution controller 3 Butea monosperma (Palas) Drought resistant tree, Noise, gas and dust pollution controller 4 Cordia dichotoma (Lasoda) Drought resistant tree 5 Diospyrous melanoxylon ( Tendu) drought resistant tree, Noise and gas pollution controller 6 Ficus begalensis (Bad) drought resistant tree, Noise, dust 7 Ficus religiosa (Pipal) drought resistant tree, Noise, age and dust gas pollution

controller, Sensitive to so 2 (indicator) 8 Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) State tree and drought resistant tree 9 Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) drought resistant tree, Noise, gas and dust gas pollution controller 10 Tecomella undulata (Rohida) State flower tree and drought resistant tree 11 Anogeissus latifolia (Dhok) Drought resistant tree

12 Syzygium cumini (Jamun) drought resistant tree, Sensitive to so 2 (indicator) 13 Tamarindus indica (Emali) Drought resistant tree, Noise and dust gas pollution controller Sources:- • Phytoremediation of particulate matter from ambient environment through dust capturing plant species. 2007. Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India in Delhi. • Greenbelts for Pollution Control: Concepts, Design, Applications. 2000. Abbasi, S.A. and F.I. Khan. Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi. • EIA Guidelines for Mining Minerals, MoEF. (IL&FS)

Details regarding number of plant saplings required are as follows.

Species Recommended for Greenbelt Development in Peripheral Area (1.5 ha up to Five Year Plantation scheme)

S. No. Species Name / Hindi Name 1st 2nd 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Total No. of Year Year Year Plants

1 Dalbergia sissoo (Sisam) 30 30 30 30 0 120 2 Azadiracta indiaca (Neem) 50 50 50 0 0 150 3 Butea monosperma (Palas) 50 50 50 0 0 150 4 Cordia dichotoma (Lasoda) 25 25 25 0 0 75 5 Diospyrous melanoxylon (Tendu) 50 50 50 55 0 205 6 Ficus begalensis (Bad) 25 0 25 0 0 50 7 Ficus religiosa (Pipal) 25 0 25 0 0 50 8 Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) 25 25 25 25 25 125 9 Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) 25 25 25 25 0 100 10 Tecomella undulata (Rohida) 25 25 25 25 25 125 11 Anogeissus latifolia (Dhok) 50 50 50 50 0 200 12 Syzygium cumini (Jamun) 25 25 25 0 0 75 13 Tamarindus indica (Emali) 25 25 25 0 0 75 Total no of plants required 1500

RESTORATION OF MINE LEASE AREA

1 Habitat Improvement In post mining phase, out of the total excavated area (21.54 ha.); backfilling will be done in 4.3 ha. while rest of part will be water reservoir (17.24 ha.). Backfilled area (4.3 ha) and dump area (7.2 ha) will be planted with the suitable plant species which will help to improve biodiversity status of the study area. Moreover, unworked area 4.5 ha. will also be planted with following suggested species. Since the present mining lease includes the some part of the diversified forest land also, it will be reclaimed by wild plant species which may able to provide habitat for the wild species of the forest area. Dumps will be restored by making bench with mainly grass and shrub species to prevent erosion of the soil. Appropriate plant species of different life forms have been suggested in following table to grow and to re-establish the vegetation cover and thereby provide habitat for the faunal species.

.2 Plantation Scheme Dump, Backfilled and Unworked Area Dump Restoration: To stabilize dump areas, dumps (7.2 ha) will be restored with the suggested shrub (i.e. Calotropis gigentia, Calotropis procera, Clerodendrum infortunatum, Acacia catechu and Abutilon indicum ) and also some grass ( Eleusine compressa, Aristida funiculate, Cynodon dactylon, Chloris barbata, Cenchrus ciliaris and Eleusine indica ). Plantation on slope of the dump will be started after the benches will ready. Pits of size 60cm x 60cm will be dug at 1.5m interval and filled with a mixture of topsoil, organic manure and phosphate fertilizer for plantation. Seedling of the shrub species will be planted in pit in the slopes. Also, seeds of suggested grass and shrub species will be sprinkled on the soil covering the dump slope. Backfilled and Backfilled Area Restoration: In future, backfilled Area (4.3 ha) and Unworked Area (4.5 ha) will be planted with the following suggested plant species. For backfilled area, trenches will be dug on mining benches to carryout plantation.

Plant Species Recommended For Restoration of Backfilled and Unworked Area S. No. Species Name Hindi Name Habit Evergreen / Height Deciduous (m) 1. Abutilon indicum kanghi Shrub Deciduous 5 2. Acacia catechu Khair Shrub Evergreen 3 3. Acacia senegal Babul Tree Deciduous 5 4. Agel marmelos Bel Tree Evergreen 12 5. Albizia labbeck Siris Tree Evergreen 20 6. Azadiracta indiaca Neem Tree Evergreen 20 7. Balanites roxburghii Hingan Tree Evergreen 9 8. Buchanania lanzan Charoli Tree Evergreen 13 9. Butea monosperma Palas Tree Deciduous 10 10. Calotropis gigentia Aak Shrub Evergreen 5 11. Calotropis procera Aak Shrub Evergreen 6 12. Clerodendrum infortunatum Bhant Shrub Evergreen 3 to 4 13. Cordia dichotoma Lasoda Tree Evergreen 10 14. Dalbargia sisoo Sisam Tree Evergreen 10 15. Derris indica Karanj Tree Evergreen 10 16. Diospyrous melanoxylon Tendu Tree Deciduous 10 17. Ficus begalensis Bad Tree Evergreen 20 18. Ficus glomerata Gular Tree Deciduous 15 19. Ficus religiosa Pipal Tree Evergreen 20 20. Holoptelia integrifolia Kanju Tree Deciduous 10 21. Lagerstroemia parviflora Purush Tree Deciduous 20 22. Phoenix sylvestris Khajur Tree Evergreen 10 23. Prosopis cineraria Khejri Tree Evergreen 12 24. sesban Jainti Shrub Evergreen 6 25. Terminalia arjuna Arjun Tree Deciduous 15 26. Ziziphus mauritiana Ber Tree Evergreen 10 27. Tecomella undulata Rohida Tree Evergreen 6 28. Anogeissus latifolia Dhok Tree Deciduous 20 A) Plantation Technique Following basic procedures need to be followed for greening the area.  Since the project area fall under semi-arid condition and having poor soil quality, plantation of tree species required approx. 1m 3 pit for soil enrichment  Pit should be filled with imported soil with 3:1:1 the ratio of sand, silt and form yard manure  Procure well grown saplings of recommended species from the nearby Forest Department nursery  Make 1m diameter ring bund around the planted saplings for water retention  Watering of sapling is species specific, therefore watering need to be done once in 2 or 3 days for a period of two years  Soil wok and weeding need to be done once in a two months.

B) Monitoring Protocol  The plantations need to be managed by regular watering, soil enrichment work, applying manure, weeding and provide proper protection.  Replacement of sapling (replanting) required whenever mortality occurs in the plantation during the growth stage.  Plantation requires after care for a period of minimum five years till the saplings attain matured tree stage.  Any damage to the developed greenbelt due to any natural or cattle activity should be redeveloped and maintained by the agency.

4 Mine Pit as a Water Reservoir In the study area (buffer zone) there are two nearest water bodies, i.e. Jet Sagar and Phul Sagar which supports aquatic avifauna. At the end of mine lease, unfilled pit will act as additional water reservoir / wetland for this aquatic avifauna. In addition, this reservoir will also enhance the agricultural activities in the surrounding area