Additional Information A. Churchu – Pundri Stone Mines GPS
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Page 1 of 5 Additional Information A. Churchu – Pundri Stone Mines GPS Coordinates: (Latitude: 24°02’16.98” N to 24°02’20.52” N Longitude: 85°24’22.86” E to 85°24’29.48” E) Proposed mining project site is located at Khata No. 49 and 63, Plot No. 10385(p), 10816(p), 01(p), Mauza- Churchu and Pundari, Post- Hazaribag, Thana – Sadar, District – Hazaribag. It extended in an area of 1.242 Ha. Stone Mining and Quarrying was taken place at the proposed site and at present existing depth of the pit is about 70 feet. B. Brief Facts of Wildlife Sanctuary Hazaribag (B.1) Extent & Location The Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary lies between latitudes 24001' to 24012' North and Longitudes 85013' and 85032' East in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. The sanctuary occupies an area of 186.25 sq. km and is roughly rectangular, covering a length of about 26 km from East to West and a breadth of about 7 km. from North to South. It extends over 72 villages falling under the revenue thanas of Hazaribagh, Ichak and Padma. (B.2) Legal Status Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary was notified on 24th May, 1976 and is under the administrative control of Wildlife Division, Hazaribagh. (B.3) Ecological& Faunal Importance The Hazaribagh Wildlife sanctuary has a wide range of biodiversity. In the past, it was known as the home of sambhars, the largest deer species of Page 2 of 5 India. The habitat is also shared by cheetals, wild boars, black bears, jackals, porcupines, hyenas, pangolins, hares, etc. The important bird species which can be spotted frequently are serpent eagle, paradise fly catcher, king fisher, bee eater, swift, different types of babblers, black drongo, wood pecker, lapwing, pea fowl, pond heron, egret, etc. Sometimes carnivores like wolves and leopards are also spotted. In the District Gazetteer of Hazaribagh, 1917, it was observed that the hills of Danto served as the permanent habitat of tigers and that of leopards and were frequently visited the town of Hazaribagh. The forests of the sanctuary also fall in the home range of elephant. Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the catchments of many small river systems like Kweta, Siwane and Daita. The Protected Area also serves as the catchments of many rain-fed natural streams and lakes. The forests of the Protected Area intercept rainfall to help recharge ground water aquifer and protect the river streams against silting by checking soil erosion. The Protected Area is home to diverse types of forests - Northern Indian Moist Deciduous Forest, Moist & Dry Peninsular Sal Forest and Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest - and is an excellent habitat for significant populations of 16 species of mammals, 124 species of birds and 142 species of flora, including leopards, sloth bears, pangolins, python, etc., which are all endangered species. The PA supports the local population by providing them with means of livelihood, has great aesthetic value and scope for wildlife research and education and has tremendous potential to support thriving eco-tourism. (B.4) Boundaries and People Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is bounded by the forests of Hazaribagh East and Hazaribagh West Forest Divisions. Hazaribagh township is merely 17 Page 3 of 5 km from the boundary of the Protected Area. The wild animals move in and around the PA and sometimes move up to 10-15 km in to the adjoining forests. A peculiar feature of the sanctuary is that National Highway No-33 connecting Ranchi and Patna bisects the sanctuary into two halves, thus making its management little difficult. Diverse ethnic identities, rich traditions and customs and strong bonds with forests characterize the people living in and around this PA. The people residing in the enclave villages are almost completely dependent on these forests for fuel, small timber, NWFPs and grazing. Population pressure is not evenly distributed – average population density is around 378 persons per sq. km and forests falling in the southern part of the PA are under severe biotic pressure. However, there is enough cultivable wasteland that can be developed into orchards, grasslands or agricultural fields to mitigate pressure on the PA. The Scheduled Tribes inhabiting these forests include Oraons, Mundas, Santhals, Kherwars and Birhors. The population consists of Scheduled Caste (23%), Scheduled Tribes (7%) and others (70%). Important Point Within 5 km. from the boundary of Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, in the villages of Sijua, Pandra & Jihu of Ichak Block, many stone crushers and stone mining leases are situated. The State Mining Department has granted many mining leases for stone crushers in the northern and southern part of the proposed Zone, particularly in Sijua, Jihu, Suji and Dumroun. Mining leases have also been granted in G.M. land around sanctuary area and also even in the Daita river bed which Page 4 of 5 passes through Jihu and Pandra villages of Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary. These mining sites are situated just beside the sanctuary area. Apart from registered units, many unregistered stone crushers are also operating beside the sanctuary. The proposed Rough Stone Mining Site is located (outside) at 5.15 K.M. (Aerial Distance) from the nearest boundary of Wildlife Sanctuary Hazaribag. There is no diversion of any land falls within the area of notified wildlife sanctuary. There are five villages namely; Churchu, Nagma, Bonga, Bariyath and Ichak falls between the proposed site and nearest boundary of Wildlife Sanctuary Hazaribag. .