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[]n'Sir. Dc.orSlr. r ... Iocrd>jr .-11Ii", ... tccIoI ~Y ... Tll&nJting V .. , ~"':! 12679 CONSERVATION PLAN OF SCHEDULE--I SPECIES RECORDED IN THE STUDY AREA OF BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINING (AGRICULTURAL LAND), DISTRICT BAGESHWAR, UTTARAKHAND Prepared by 2016 GRASS ROOTS RESEARCH & CREATION INDIA (P) LTD. (An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Co.: Accredited by QCI / NABET: Approved by MoEFCC, GoI) & GRC INDIA TRAINING & ANALYYTICAL LABORATORY (Accredited by NABL, Recognized by MoEFCCC, GoI) A unit of GRC India 0 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT PLAN Introduction Biodiversity conservation plan is developed with the aim to reduce adverse impact on the natural habitat of various wild animals. Day by day issues related to the threats to natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems arises due to high anthropogenic activities and loss of natural habitat due to climate change. A conservation plan is needed for the conservation of critical habitats of wildlife and endangered and Schedule-I species along with their scientific management strategy. During the mining and construction activities, natural resources (Land, Biodiversity, Forest, animals and Humans) are likely to exert tremendous pressure due to various activities in the respective region while the present management plan will ensure mitigation of such impacts. Biological assessment of buffer zone (10 km radius) of Baida Majheda Soapstone Mining (District Bageshwar, Uttarakhand) revealed the presence of single schedules-I species i.e. Leopard and Asiatic black bear. Biological importance of Leopard along with its conservation and management plan and environmental mitigation are as follows: 1. Panthera pardus (Leopard or Panther) Photo Source: http://imgc.allpostersimages.com 1.1. Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Felidae Genus Panthera Species P. pardus 1.2. Conservation Status The Leopard is classified as Near Threatened as per the IUCN red list of threatened species and species is mentioned under the Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, (1972). Panthera pardus is listed in CITES Appendix I. Despite India and Nepal being contracting parties to CITES, national legislation of both countries does not incorporate and address the spirit and concerns of CITES. 1 Trained human resources, basic facilities and effective nnetworks for control of poaching and trade in wildlife are lacking. 1.3. Ecological Distribution of Panthera pardus On the Indian subcontinent, topographical barriers to thhe dispersal of this subspecies are the Indus River in the west, and the Himalayas in the north. In the east, the lower course of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges Delta form natural barriers to the distribution of the Indochinese leopard. Indian leopards are distributed all over India, in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and parts of Pakistan. In the Himalayas they are sympatric with snow leopards up to 5,200 m (17,100 ft) above sea level. They inhabit tropical rain forests, dry deciduous forests, temperate forests and northern coniferous forests but do not occur in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Even though the Leopard is found all across the country there is no reliable estimate of its population. A review of literature regarding population densities of Leopard in Asia indicates that although the species may have a wide geographical range, it is unlikely to occur in relatively high abundance. Distribution Range of Indian Leopard 1.4. Biologyo of Panthera pardus 1.4.1. Phyh sical Description The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus) is widely distribuuted on the Indian subcontinent (Southeast Asia, and China). They are still relatively abundant in these regions. Of the species as a whole, its numbers are greater than those of other Panthera species, all of which face more acute conservation concerns. The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus) is classified as Near Threatened by IUCN since 2008. The species Panthera pardus may soon qualify for the vulnerable status due to habitat loss and fragmentation, heavy poaching for the illegal trade of skins and body parts in Asia, and persecution due to conflict situations. They are becoming increasingly rare outside protected areas. 2 The trend of the population is decreasing. The Indian leopard is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, Snow leopard and Clouded leopard. 1.4.2. Habitat On the Indian subcontinent, topographical barriers to the dispersal of this subspecies are the Indus River in the west, and the Himalayas in the north. In the east, the lower course of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges Delta form natural barriers to the distribution of the Indochinese leopard. Indian leopards are distributed all over India, in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and parts of Pakistan. In the Himalayas they are sympatric with snow leopards up to 5,200 m (17,100 ft.) above sea level. They inhabit tropical rain forests, dry deciduous forests, temperate forests and northern coniferous forests but do not occur in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. 1.4.3. Behavior Although leopards are silent most of the time, they may give a hoarse, rasping cough at repeated intervals to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males use this unique call to announce territorial boundaries. If another leopard is in the vicinity, it may answer with a similar vocalization and continue vocalizing as it exits the area. Males also grunt at each other and females call to potential mates when in estrous. Some leopards may purr while feeding. 1.4.4. Food and Feeding The diet of the Leopard is highly varied, including both large and small prey. It often consists mainly of small and medium-sized mammals (5 to 45 kg), but may range from large beetles to ungulates (hoofed mammals) several times their size. Leopards are probably the most accomplished stalkers and climbers of the big cats. Their varied diet includes wildebeest, impalas, reed-bucks, Thomson's gazelles, jackals, baboons and storks. They routinely drag carcasses bigger than themselves into trees to avoid losing prey to other carnivores. Mostly they prefer hunting at night. Like other felids (i.e., members of the cat family), Leopards commonly kill their prey with a bite to the throat, although smaller prey may be dispatched with a bite to the nape or back of the head. 1.4.5. Reproduction The reproductive season is year-round but peaks during the rainy season in May. In China and southern Siberia, leopards mainly breed in January and February. Females are in estrus for 7 days and have a 46 day long cycle. Gestation last 96 days and females usually give birth once every 15 to 24 months. Typically, females stop reproducing around 8.5 years old. 3 Leopards are promiscuous, as both males and females have multiple mates. Females attract potential mates by excreting pheromones in their urine. Females initiate mating by walking back and forth in front of a male and brushing up against him or swatting him with her tail. The male then mounts the female while frequently biting her nape. Copulation last an average of three seconds with six minute intervals between each copulation bout. A single breeding pair may copulate up to 100 times per day for several days, during which time they share food resources. 1.5. Ecological Threats and Conservation Plan 1.5.1. Direct Population Threats Direct population threats include all reasons and actions which directly reduce the numbers of Leopard in wild other than the natural death of the animal. This is mainly due to reduction in their habitat range, forest degradation, scarcity of food and water in their habitat etc. In Indo-Malaya, leopards are threatened primarily by habitat loss (deforestation) as well as poaching for illegal trade of skins and canines. In India, leopards are feared for their attacks on people. Conservation Plan The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) provides us with the statutory framework for wildlife conservation, and declared that hunting is a deadly crime against wildlife while, forestation will be done surrounding the mine area for enhancement of habitat, protecting the loss of Leopard diversity due to habitat loss. 1.5.2. Conflicts with Human/Farmers Leopard-human conflict is a serious problem in India and the subcontinent and is another cause of significant mortality of Leopards. India's Forest Department is entitled to set up traps only in cases of a leopard having attacked humans. Expansion of agriculturally used land, encroachment of humans and their livestock into protected areas are main factors contributing to habitat loss and decrease of wild prey. As a result, leopards approach human settlements, where they are tempted to prey on dogs, pigs and goats- domestic livestock, which constitutes an important part of their diet, if they live on the periphery of human habitations. Conservation Measures The prey species preferred by Leopard will be conserved to insure sufficient prey availability, which will also reduce the conflict with humans. Biological fences will be used to protect the livestock from the leopard attack. The awareness among the farmers will be generated through the formal educational programmes. 4 1.5.3. Poaching A significant immediate threat to wild leopard populations is the illegal trade in poached skins and body parts between India, Nepal and China. Illegal trade in Leopard body parts (skin, bones, and claws) continues to threaten the survival of the species in the wild. Buyers choose the skins from dealers or tanneries and smuggle them through a complex interlinking network to markets outside India, mainly in China. Seized skins in Kathmandu confirm the city's role as a key staging point for illegal skins smuggled from India bound for Tibet and China. Conservation Measures The Wild Life Protection Act (1972) provides us with the statutory framework for wildlife conservation, and Poaching is a deadly crime against wildlife. Few poachers are caught or punished. One solution that would fit just about any circumstance though, would be to administer stiffer laws and harsher sentences for those caught poaching. During formal interview and discussion with local it was noted that study area is not prone to poaching or any other wildlife violence related to leopard or any other species. But, precaution will be always taken while dealing with wildlife. The contact information of concern wildlife and forest department will be provided to every worker or at the field office. If any kind of poaching or other offense is noticed; it will be immediately clued-up to the concern Forest and Wildlife Officials. 1.5.4. Habitat Threats Loss of forest areas outside parks and reserves poses a major threat to leopard because it causes population fragmentation, thereby leaving small, nonviable populations within the parks or their movements in human territories which raise conflicts. Furthermore, habitat degradation outside the parks, caused by overgrazing, overharvest of forest products, expansion of agricultural areas, and mining of minerals also possess threats to the habitat of species. Habitat improvement Leopard lives in a variety of dry and wet forests, and also in some grassland, where boulders and scattered shrubs and trees provide shelter. The leopard has the widest habitat tolerance of any big cat in India. Habitat of the species will be improved by planting suitable species in surrounding areas. The prey species preferred by leopard will be conserved to insure sufficient prey availability, which will also reduce the conflict with humans. 5 2. Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) Source: http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/186129.jpg 2.1. Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Ursidae Genus Ursus Species U. thibetanus 2.2. Conservation Status The Asiatic black bear is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is mentioned under the Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Bears are endangered for their gall bladder and bile to which medicinal properties are attributed. 2.3. Ecological Distribution The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), also known as the Asiatic black bears are known to damage agriculture and horticultural crops, apiaries, fish farms, livestock, and humans. They are found in Himalayan ranges in India along with Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan etc. Distribution range of Asiatic black bear in India 6 2.4. Biology of Asiatic black bear 2.4.1. Physical Description Asiatic black bear are normally observed in remote dense forest, however due to scarcity of food, they may enter the villages near forest boundary areas and attack domestic animals and human beings. Asiatic black bear have long snout and their lips are detached from the gum. Mobile and protrusible, lips are well adapted to the forceful intake and expulsion of air. Bears have a large protrusible tongue. The claws are longer in the forefeet than the hind and are good digging implements. The bear’s palate is deeply concave. The gap between the teeth permits the passage of air as middle pair of incisors in the upper jaw is absent. The animal produces enough suction force to suck out termites from mounds. Asiatic black bear are mainly nocturnal. Their sense of smell is well developed but their sight and hearing usually poor. 2.4.2. Habitat Asiatic black bear live in a variety of dry and wet forests, and also in some grassland, where boulders and scattered shrubs and trees provide shelter. The dentition indicates that bears are more herbivores and there is a departure from carnivore. In fact, they are omnivorous. Their diet includes largely insects and grubs which can be dug out from the ground or from the underneath of bark of standing trees or fallen logs. They eat termite and bee nests by suction and creating a vacuum in the nest by keeping snout close to the mound. Bears sometimes raid sugarcane and maize crop incase their habitats have food shortage. 2.4.3. Behavior It is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bears. Adult Asiatic black bear may travel in pairs, with the males being gentle with cubs. They may fight for food. They walk in a slow, shambling motion, with their feet being set down in a noisy, flapping motion. They are capable of galloping faster than running humans. Asiatic black bear are excellent climbers, including cubs. They climb to feed and rest, though not to escape enemies, as they prefer to stand their ground. Asiatic black bear mothers carry cubs up to 9 months-old on their backs instead of sending their cubs up trees as the primary defense against attacks by predators, such as tigers, leopards, and other bears. They are good swimmers, and primarily enter water to play. To mark their territories, Asiatic black bear will scrape trees with their forepaws, and rub against them with their flanks. Asiatic black bear have a great vocal range. Sounds such as barks, screams, grunts, roars, snarls, whickers, woofs, and yelps are made when angered, threatening, or when fighting. When hurt or afraid, they shriek, yowl, or 7 whimper. When feeding, Asiatic black bear make loud huffing and sucking noises, which can be heard over 100 m away. The species is the most vociferous when mating, and make loud, melodious calls when doing so. They make their day beds out of broken branches in trees, and rest in caves during the wet season. 2.4.4. Food and Feeding Among natural diet, Asiatic black bear prefer to feed on different kind of fruits. Usually during the monsoon season, they dine on mango, fig, ebony etc. and also on some flowers. Asiatic black bear climb trees and knock down honeycombs, later collecting the sweet bounty on the forest floor. Beetles, grubs, ants, and other insects round out their diet. During food shortages, Asiatic black bear prefer to eat carrion. They sometimes raid farm crops. 2.4.5. Reproduction The breeding season for Asiatic black bear varies according to location: in India, they mate in April, May and June, and give birth in December and early January, while in Sri Lanka, it can be done all year. Sows gestate for 210 days near about 7 months, and typically give birth in caves or in shelters under boulders. Litters usually consist of 1-2 cubs, rarely 3. Cubs are born blind, and open their eyes after four weeks. Asiatic black bear cubs develop quickly compared to most other bear species: they will start walking a month after birth, become independent at 24-36 months, and become sexually mature at the age of 3 years. Young cubs will ride on their mother's back when she walks runs or climbs trees until they reach a third of her size. Individual riding positions are maintained by cubs through fighting. Intervals between litters can last 2-3 years. 2.5. Threats and Conservation Action Plan for Asiatic black bear 5.1. Direct Population Threats Direct population threats include all reasons and actions which directly reduce the number of bears in wild other than the natural death of the animal. In India, people capture bears to use as use as ‘Dancing’ bears and sometimes for the medicinal market which reduces numbers in the wild. Conservation Plan The Wild Life (Protection) Act (1972) provides us with the statutory framework for wildlife conservation. In India, hunting and capturing Asiatic black bear is a deadly crime against wildlife. Few poachers are caught or punished. One solution that would fit just about any circumstance though, would be to administer stiffer laws and harsher sentences for those caught poaching. 8 Enhancement of habitat for protecting the loss of Bears diversity due to habitat loss, forestation and grassland development will be done surrounding the mining area. 2.5.2. Conflicts with Human/Farmers Asiatic black bear are known for their aggressiveness, both towards humans and towards other large mammals. They seem to avoid human contact, when possible, but may encounter humans when they are enticed into croplands or when people enter the forest. Asiatic black bear seem to have a low tolerance toward people when they inadvertently meet. There are lots of described incidents of mauling of humans by Asiatic black bear. Conflict arises mainly due to scarcity of food for Asiatic black bear in the forest and it enters residential area in search of food resulting in animal-human conflicts. This may be reduced by (1) Planting suitable food trees and (2) Public awakening of importance of animal in the local ecology. (3) Compensation to the victims of attack by Asiatic black bear. Conservation Plan The role of Asiatic black bear in cropland ecosystem is very crucial, and the damage done by them is negotiable in terms of direct benefits and environmental services. The awareness among the farmers will be generated through the formal educational programmes. 2.5.3. Poaching Poaching and smuggling of Asiatic black bear from present study area in not well known. At present time Asiatic black bear populations in India appear to be significantly threatened by poaching. It was studied and concluded that bear parts are less important in local areas of species distribution; hence gall bladders and other parts from poached bears are typically exported to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, or other intermediary ports, and eventually to Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan. News of poaching of species is common. Many times Government successfully rescues and release trapped Asiatic black bear into wild. Since the Mughal era, the practice of Bear Dancing by the nomadic Kalandar community to entertain the Mughal emperors was followed in India. Though, use of Asiatic black bear in performances for livelihood by Kalandars is one of the complicated issues facing conservation of this threatened species. Yet, this is not in practice under present circumstances. Conservation Plan The Wild Life (Protection) Act (1972) provides us with the statutory framework for wildlife conservation, and Poaching is a deadly crime against wildlife. Few poachers are caught or 9 punished. During formal interview and discussion with locals it was noted that study area is not prone to poaching or any other wildlife violence related to Asiatic black bear or any other species. But, precaution will be always taken while dealing with wildlife. The contact information of concern wildlife and forest department will be provided to every worker or at the field office. If any kind of poaching or other offense is noticed; it will be immediately clued-up to the concern Forest and Wildlife Officials. Moreover, workers will be trained and educated about the importance of Asiatic black bear for ecology and ultimately for humans; an internal attraction towards the species will be tried to develop. More importantly, worker will be made aware of wildlife crime and also subsequent penalties and punishment. Rescue Plan and Public Awareness Programme After the rescue plan and awareness programme by Government and various NGOs, many Asiatic black bear are rescued and rehabilitated successfully. Permanent livelihood rehabilitation of communities involved in such practice is one of the best and sustainable solutions for this threat. If any such captive bear is found in the study area, with the collaboration of concerned authority rescue plan will be adopted and also help will be provided in developing a viable alternative livelihood. 2.5.4. Habitat Threats/Loss Loss of forested areas outside parks and reserves poses a major threat to Asiatic black bear because it causes population fragmentation, thereby leaving small, nonviable populations within the parks. Furthermore, habitat degradation outside the parks, caused by overgrazing, overharvest of forest products, expansion of agricultural areas, and mining of minerals also possess threats to the habitat of species. Habitat Improvement Plan Asiatic black bear live in a variety of dry and wet forests, and also in some grassland, where boulders and scattered shrubs and trees provide shelter. Asiatic black bear are considered vulnerable animals and they are threatened by habitat loss. Habitat of the species will be improved by planting suitable species in surrounding areas, including species part of diet and shelter. The water bodies in and around the forest areas will be maintained in good condition for use by wildlife. 10 Other than plant products, diet of Asiatic black bear chiefly includes termites, insects and honey. It will be instructed to workers as well as local residents not to destroy or damage termite structure and also extract honey in optimal quantity. Honey is the favorite of Asiatic black bear. Inclusion of some important 2.4. Asiatic black bear -Human Conflicts Asiatic black bear are known for their aggressiveness, both towards humans and towards other large mammals. They seem to avoid human contact, when possible, but may encounter humans when they are enticed into croplands or when people enter the forest. Asiatic black bear seem to have a low tolerance toward people when they inadvertently meet. There are lots of described incidents of mauling of humans by Asiatic black bear. Conservation Plan to Mitigate the Conflicts Conflict arises mainly due to scarcity of food for Asiatic black bearing the forest and it enters residential area in search of food resulting in animal-human conflicts. This may be reduced by (1) Planting suitable food trees and (2) Public awakening of importance of animal in the local ecology. (3) Compensation to the victims of attack by Asiatic black bear. Plantation of Forage Trees Conflicts generally arises when Asiatic black bear enters in croplands and human settlements, which indirectly reflect the condition of adjacent forested areas; i.e. its ability to support bears. The availability of insufficient food material in wild leads bears to enter in human world. Cropland as source of food invites the animal which causes a serious conflict with humans. Plantation of suitable species and also conserve other dietary forest products of Asiatic black bear is the only effective way to reduce the conflicts. Trees of Morus alba, Mangifera indica, Ziziphus mauritiana, Syzigium cumini, and Ficus spp. will be planted within Asiatic black bear habitat. Corridors of Asiatic black bear will be identified and also preserved in the area. 3. Common Public Awareness Programme for Wildlife Protection and Conservation Among all the threats of biodiversity, lack of awareness is the major cause for their loss. Hence, public awareness programmes will be conducted regarding the issues, conflicts and facts of wildlife, especially for the entire schedule-I species present in the buffer zone. Any kind of illegal collection or poaching noted in the study area will be immediately informed to the concerned authority. 11 Conservation education and public awareness are useful tools in changing the behavior of people. Illegal entry into the forest for collection of forest products should be stopped. Awareness programmes about various wildlife species, their ecology, habitat, food & feeding and behavior will be conducted in the Buffer Zone. Programmes will target to make aware of all groups (Community Forest User Group, Women’s groups, Villagers of the Buffer Zone, School Teachers and Students). Monitoring of aggressive and problem animals (radio collaring and tracking) and informing of local people about these animals is recommended. Recommendations against walking inside or at the edge of the forest during night-time hours, and at dawn or dusk should also be avoided to reduce human and animal encounters. Moreover, workers will be trained and educated about the importance of the entire wild animal for ecology and ultimately to humans; an internal attraction towards the species will be trying to develop. More importantly, worker will make aware of wildlife crime and also subsequent penalties and punishment. For the more, aware of people for protection their selves and all the wild animals, signboards will also be placed in the buffer zone with slogans. Involvement of local people in conservation activities will be ensured by organizing meetings and seminars from village to village on regular basis to carry the people along with implementation. Functions like Van Mahotsav and World Environment Day will be organized in a befitting manner to which village heads and other members of gram Panchayat, local leaders and members of regional NGO may also be invited. The discussion may evolve around habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts and how best the vegetation can be revamped etc. Moreover, a training workshop for all mine workers will be conducted in starting of any project. It will include the formal training on the importance of biodiversity and also to make available the information of the flora and fauna of high conservation value present in the surrounding areas. Information on Wildlife policies and Government regulation and penalties will be provided to workers. 12 4. Tentative Budget for Conservation Plan Annual Capital Cost S.N. Conservation Activity Recurring Cost (Rs. in lakhs) (Rs. in lakhs) 1. Habitat Improvement Creation village forests / Plantation on Gram 2.00 1.00 Panchayat land of selected villages @200 tree/year Creation of ponds in the village and their 2.00 1.00 maintenance 2. Implementation of legal safety measures by 1.00 0.5 public-Forest Depart participatory programme 3. Protection of habitat area of Schedule-1 species 2.00 0.5 by participatory programme of public-Forest Department 4.. Training and Public Awakening Programme 1.00 0.5 Total 8.00 3.5 13 Dated: TO 'VHOMWHOM IT MAY CONCERN It is certified that no any forest land falls within the proposed mining leaselease " 'BaidaMajheraBaidaMajhera Soapstone Mining (Agricultural Land)"Land)" over an area of measuring 5.5705.570 ha.ha. inin favour of Smt. KuntiParihar,KuntiParihar, Village:BaidaMajheraTehsil:Village:BaidaMajheraTehsiI: Kapkot& DistrictDistrict BageshwarUttarakhand.BageshwarUttarakhand. This is forror your kind informationinronnation and furtberfurther necessarynecessary action. 123 TRANSPORTATION ROUTE, TRUCKS PARKING LOT&LOADING DEPOT OF BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINING PROJECT AT Village- BaidaMajheda, Tehsil: Kapkot District- Bageshwar, Uttarakhand Area: 5.570 ha, Capacity: 33,383 TPA (B2 Category) APPLICANT Smt. KuntiParihar w/o Sh. Jawahar Singh Parihar Village &Post:Ason Tehsil: Kapkot, Distt:Bagewhsar, Uttrakhand Prepared By GRASS ROOTS RESEARCH & CREATION INDIA (P) LTD. (An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Co.: Accredited by QCI / NABET: Approved by MoEF, GoI) F-374-375, Sector-63, Noida, U.P. Ph.: 0120- 4044630, Telefax: 0120- 2406519 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: http://www.grc-india.com GRC INDIA TRAINING & ANALYTICAL LABORATORY (Accredited by NABL, Recognized by MoEF, GoI) A unit of GRC India Mineral Transportation The production of Soapstone from the proposed mine is 33,383 tonnes which will need to be transported from the site to the market. Since the area is hilly, it is necessary to have a proper evacuation plan for movement of the material. An area of 5000m2 (shown in the surface plan) in the south west of the lease area will be developed as a terrace for storage, loading and parking of vehicles. The lease is well connected to an unmettalled road approximately at a distance of 0.14 Km followed by mettalled Jarti road which ultimately joins SH-37. During Mine operation Proposed Capacity of mine/annum : 33,383 TPA No. of working days : 240 days Proposed Capacity of mine/day : 139 TPD Trucks Capacity : 5 tonnes No. of tractor trolleys deployed/day : 27 trucks Working hours : 8 Hours No. of trucks deployed/ hour : 4 trucks Parking Lot Dimensions of a double axil Tata/ Ashok Leyland Truck of 5 tonnes capacity Width: 2.5 m Length: 5 m Total area occupied by a truck is 3.5 * 7.5 = 26.25 m2 Now for the present case, Total area for truck parking: 5000 m2(as per surface plan given with this report) Area taken by 27 trucks at a time: 708.75 m2 At a time four trucks shall be loaded. Available Mineral stack yard area 1270 m2 (as per surface plan given with this report) Now required area for mineral stacking: Total weight of excavated mineral per day: 139tonnes = 139000 kg Now total bags of mineral shall be 2780 bags. Area required for 1stack of six bags of 50 kg mineral: 0.56 m2 Total stack shall be 2780 / 6 = 464 Area for all 464 stacks = 464 * 0.56= 260 m2 EVACUATION ROUTE MAP SURFACE PLAN PARKING PLAN PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR Environmental Management Plan 46 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN 1. INTRODUCTION The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been formulated and integrated with the mine planning to mitigate the adverse impacts which are likely to be caused due to the mining operation and for overall scientific development of local habitat. The EMP has, therefore, been developed considering its implementation and monitoring of environmental protection measures during mining operations. 2. MINING PROCESS It will be opencast semi mechanized mine. The overburden & inter-burden shall be removed by deployment of an excavator as well as with the help of rock breaker. The soapstone shall be extracted with deployment of an excavator as well as manually with the help of crow bar; chisels, pickaxe, hammers, spade and different grade of soapstone will be stacked separately near the mining faces. Soapstone is soft mineral; therefore no drilling & blasting shall be required. The soapstone shall be dressed manually & stacked separately. No further beneficiation shall be undertaken during first five years. The different grade of soapstone will be filled into 50 kg plastic bags & transported the road side by mules. From road side the soapstone bags will be loaded into trucks through manually and transported to Haldwani. The salient points of proposed method of mining are given below:- Mining shall be carried out in three pits. It will be open cast semi-mechanized. Average thickness of soil has been considered as 0.20m & it shall be stacked separately. 0 Bench height will be kept 3.0m width of benches shall be kept 3.0m with face slope 70 to 75o. Development work will be construction of approach road to different working benches and no removal of the top soil. Seasonal nalla & habitation are for away from proposed mining pits. However wire crated wall having width & height 0.75m & 1.0m shall be provide along the nalla for the protection of nalla by mining activities & siltation of waste dump. Habitation is for away from the proposed mining area, & mined out pit shall be back filled 47 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR before the commencement of monsoon therefore there shall be no adverse impact on habitation due to mining activities. Reserve: Total Resource (in tonnes) Likely to be Mineable (in tonnes) 4,63,302 1,46,453 Production: 33,383 tonnes of soapstone will be mined out per annum. 3. Manpower Requirement: The manpower requirement for the proposed project will be around 85. This includes manpower for excavation as well as loading of minerals. Manpower requirement S. No. Category Numbers 1. Mine Manager (Full Time) 1 2. Geologist (Full Time) 1 3. Skilled Workers 2 4 Un-Skilled Workers 81 TOTAL 85 4. POWER, WATER SUPPLY AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS 4.1 Power All the activities will be carried out by semi-mechanized method thus; there will be no power requirement for the project. 4.2 Transportation Traffic analysis is carried out by understanding the existing carrying capacity of the connecting main roads in the area. Then depending on the capacity of the mine, the number of trucks that will be added to the present scenario will be compared to the carrying capacity. Evacuation route Map is attached as Annexure XIV (page no. 250). 48 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR During Mine operation Proposed Capacity of mine/annum : 33,383 TPA No. of working days : 240 days Proposed Capacity of mine/day : 139 TPD Trucks Capacity : 5 tonnes No. of tractor trolleys deployed/day : 27 trucks Increase in PCU/day (From both Sides) : 44 × 4.5 × 2 = 250 Existing Traffic Scenario & LOS Road V C Existing V/C Ratio LOS SH-37 900 5200 0.17 A Jarti Road 600 4500 0.13 A Source: IRC 64-1990 V= Volume of Vehicles in PCU’s/day & C= Capacity of Highway in PCU’s/ day V/C LOS Performance 0.0 - 0.2 A Excellent 0.2 - 0.4 B Very Good 0.4 - 0.6 C Good / Average / Fair 0.6 - 0.8 D Poor 0.8 - 1.0 E Very Poor Reference: ENVIS Technical Report, IISc, Bangalore Modified Traffic Scenario & LOS Road V C Existing V/C Ratio LOS SH-37 1150 5200 0.22 B Jarti Road 850 4500 0.18 A 49 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR Results From the above analysis it can be seen that the V/C ratio is likely to be same i.e. excellent at Jarti Road and but SH-37 it changes from excellent to very good. So the additional load on the carrying capacity of the concerned roads is not likely to have any adverse effect. 4.3 Water Supply The water requirement is around 3.5 KLD. About 0.6 KLD for domestic, 2.4 KLD for dust suppression and 0.5 KLD for plantation will be required. This water will be purchased through tankers. 4.4 Infrastructure The site services like temporary rest room shelter, first aid box, drinking water & facilities of a portable toilets and portable disposal system of faecal sewage will be provided for the workers at the mine site. 4.5 Safety Measures Each worker shall be provided with helmets & safety shoes. Safety belt shall be provided to workers a working the top benches. Hanging of loose boulders shall be removed from mine faces. The mining area shall be properly fenced to avoid any inadvertent entry in to mining pit. Warning boards & working hours shall be displaced at conspicuous places. Mining shall be carried out thought the formation of benches & slope of faces shall not exceed 700. There will be only one opening entry of mine which will have a manual gate & barricade under supervision of one Chowkidar. Mining shall be carried out through the formation of benches of each 3.0m height. Mining pit shall reach maximum economical depth backfilling shall be carried out to restore maximum original topography of the area. The soil & interburden shall be backfilled, leveled it & used for agriculture purpose. 50 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 4.6 Disaster Management and risk assessment The mining is proposed in a gentler agricultural field. And there after backfilling will commence to restore the topography of the area. The mining faces shall be dressed properly because any hanging boulders/loose material may create fatal accidents to the laborers while working in the pit. The area lies seismic zone V, therefore precautionary measures shall be adopted. Tin shaded wooden houses shall be constructed in place of cemented houses in and around the area & lessee shall provide the sufficient amount of funds for these activities. In the land slide prone zone area, fast growing soil binding species shall be planted & cemented bunds shall be made at the lower side so that minimum damage could be observed during land slide period. Some of the aspects to be included in emergency plan are as follow: Organization-details of command structure, working systems, implementation procedures, and emergency control centre & have of incident controller, site main controller, their duties & other key personnel. Communication centers & persons involved call signs & list of telephone numbers. Availability of special emergency equipment e.g. heavy lifting gear, bulldozers, trucks, special firefighting equipment. Details of voluntary organizations with names of organizers, telephone numbers, resources etc. Humanitarian arrangements e.g. transport evacuation centers, emergency feeding, treatment of injured, first aid, ambulances etc. No other accidents like subsidence of flood, tailing dam failure etc. shall be observed during mining in hilly region. Care & maintenance during temporary discontinuance: During monsoon period (i.e. from June to September) every year mining operations shall be temporarily discontinued and all the quantities soil & interburden shall be temporarily backfilled into mining pits leveled it & make it use for agriculture purpose. The backfilled 51 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR mining pits shall properly fence to avoid any accident. Local person shall be employed to supervise the area & broken walls, broken check dams, etc. shall be repaired immediately. 5. SALIENT FEATURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) Following Environmental Measures are proposed for this mining project to mitigate the impact during the mining operation. 5.1 land Environment Various components of land environment have been identified for study of impact of the mining operations. Details of the same are given below: 5.1.1 Impact on land use & reclamation of mined out areas Opencast mining activities may alter the landscape of the lease area and also cause some disturbance to the surface features of the surrounding areas. Plantation will be developed in consultation with district administration/ local authority, wherever feasible. 5.1.2. Solid waste generation and management The top soil having average thickness 0.20m lies all over the applied area. The top soil & interburden shall be removed by means of an excavator & dump separately. All quantities of soil & interburden to be generated shall be backfilled from third year onwards in mined out pit, therefore no proposal has been given for separate stacking of soil stack & interburden dump from third year onwards. The quantities of soil and interburden material to be generated Pit I, II & Pit III during first five years is given below: Pit I Pit II Pit III Year Top Soil Interburden Top Soil Interburden Top Soil Interburden (cum) (cum) (cum) (cum) (cum) (cum) 1st year 313 4641 199 3198 620 6660 2nd year 124 5260 92 3643 168 7324 3rd year 99 5582 77 3334 45 7938 4th year 143 4858 100 4174 182 8663 5th year 94 3351 54 1513 683 14396 Total 773 23692 522 15862 1698 44981 52 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR Mitigation measures Access roads from public roads will be aligned in such a way that it would cause least damage. The banks cut for ramp will also be restored at the closing of mine during monsoon. Vegetation development is proposed along the lease area as restoration work. Plantation is proposed along the road sides, civic amenities in consultation with local/ govt authorities. While selecting the plant species, preference will be given for planting native species of the area. Proposal for reclamation of land affected by mining activities: The mining has been proposed in such a way that land will be reclaimed concurrently from third year onward. The reclaimed land will be used in agriculture purpose. By the end of 5th year about 58233cum space will be backfilled in pit I, II & pit III to restore the original topography of the area and ultimately be used for agricultural purpose. The average depression with respect to original topography after backfilling will be 1.0 m to 2.0m The quantities of interburden & soil to be generated, space available for backfilling, quantities of interburden & soil to be filled back and balance quantity of interburden & soil during next five years is given below: Pit I Year Quantities of Dimension of Backfilling Quantities of Balance Interburden + backfilling pit space (cum) backfilling quantities of Soil L W D (cum) Soil & IB to be dumped (cum) 1st year 4954 - - - - - 4954 2nd Year 5384 - - - - - 5384 3rd year 5681 70 10 9 6300 5681 - 4th year 5001 73 8 9 5256 5001 - 5th year 3445 72 6 9 3888 3445 - Total 24465 15444 14127 10338 Pit II Year Quantities of Dimension of Backfilling Quantities of Balance Interburden + backfilling pit space (cum) backfilling quantities of Soil (cum) L W D (cum) Soil & IB to be dumped (cum) 1st year 3397 - - - - - 3397 2nd Year 3735 - - - - - 3735 3rd year 3411 58 7 9 3654 3411 - 4th year 4274 60 8 9 4320 4274 - 5th year 1567 60 3 9 1620 1567 - Total 16384 9594 9252 7132 53 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR Pit III Year Quantities of Dimension of Backfilling Quantities of Balance Interburden + backfilling pit space (cum) backfilling quantities of Soil (cum) L W D (cum) Soil & IB to be dumped (cum) 1st year 7240 - - - - - 7240 2nd Year 7492 - - - - - 7492 3rd year 7983 115 8 9 8280 7983 - 4th year 8845 115 9 9 9315 8845 - 5th year 15079 130 12 10 15600 15079 - Total 46639 33195 31907 14732 Land area indicating the area likely to be degraded due to quarrying, dumping, roads, workshop, processing plant, tailing pond/dam, township etc Landuse on the hilly terrain will undergo radical changes due to the open cast mining. During the next five years mining, 2.267ha land will be degraded due to mining & allied activities. The breakup of the land to be affected during the five years and end of conceptual period of due to mining operation is given below: Activities End of 5 Years (Ha) Area Occupied (ha) End of Conceptual period Mining Pits 1.606 3.86 Interburden dumps 0.561 Nil Soil stack Nil Nil Foot track/ PWD road 0.10 Nil Drainage 0.068 0.068 Retaining wall 0.050 0.380 Balance undisturbed 3.185 1.26 agricultural land Total 5.570 5.570 Note: All the quantities of top soil & inter-burden material to be generated by the end of conceptual period shall be used for the purpose of reclamation over the mined unit land. Therefore no proposal for separate stack of top soil and inter-burden material has been proposed. 54 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 6. AIR ENVIRONMENT Soapstone consists of silica and magnesia, and may contain minor quantities of other oxides such as CaO or Al2O3. Emissions due to mineral handling, during mining operations are not much and will be restricted to the lease area only. Air pollution is caused mainly due to dust generation added with gaseous emission from transportation activities along with mining operation like loading, unloading, haulage etc. It is proposed that mining shall be carried out opencast semi- mechanized. Mineral shall be filled into 50 kg plastic bags & manually transported to road side. No air quality shall be deteriorated due to mining activities. Anticipated impacts and evaluation Information on air quality studied by line source modeling techniques predicted that the mining activity will not affect the air quality in a significant manner. In mining operations, loading, transportation and unloading operations may cause deterioration in air quality due to handling dry materials. There is no other source of air pollution as there is no boiler, DG Set or furnace. Only source of air pollution is re-suspension dust from the movement of trucks to and from the mining site. Air pollution prediction from 44 additional trucks per day on road transport network across road is shown below. 55 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR It is observed that the ground level concentration (GLC) decreases from 32.68µg/m3 at 25m from the center line of the road to 3.08µg/m3 at 500m from the center line of the road. These values have been predicted for a dry unpaved road. These values have been predicted for a dry unpaved road. The GLC at 25m will further reduce down to 8.50µg/m3 and 0.80µg/m3 at 500m through water sprinkling. Control of Fugitive Emissions • Use of Personal Protection Equipment’s (PPE) like dust masks, ear plugs etc. by the mine workers. • Regular water sprinkling on haul roads & loading points will be carried out. • Development of green belt/plantation around the lease boundary, roads, dumps etc. • Ambient Air Quality Monitoring will be conducted on regularly basis to assess the quality of ambient air. Prevention and control of Gaseous Pollution • Open cast manual method will be adopted in this case and there is no provision for blasting. The main source of gaseous emissions would be transportation. • Only 139 tonnes of soap stone will be produced per day and the transportation will be done with covered materials to prevent any spillage and also prevent fugitive dust emission due to wind. • Any gaseous emission transportation will be negligible and not impact the ambient quality. • Exhaust emission will be monitored of the trucks and to be kept below the permissible limit. 56 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 7. WATER ENVIRONMENT Water Regime: The impact on water quality will be confined to increased suspended solids during rain. The seasonal drainage flows in the surrounding of applied area. The interburden to be generated will be temporary on nature & used for the purpose of backfilling each year before commencement of monsoon so that rain water will not accumulated in the mined out pit. It is however water sprinkling on the foot track shall be carried out during summer month to suppress the dust. Seasonal drainage exists within the area & proposed mining shall be carried out keeping 6m barrier zone from nala to avoid siltation of waste into nalla during heavy showers. Retaining wall shall be proposed along the slope of dump for its stabilization. The course of drainage shall not be disturbed due to mining & allied activities. The impact on water quality will be confined to increased suspended solids during rain. The seasonal drainage flows outside the lease area. The dumps to be generated will be temporary in nature & used for the purpose of backfilling before the commencement. Mining shall be carried out for away from drainages therefore no adverse import shall arise in water quality. Mitigation measures i. Mining will be done in a scientific way. ii. Mining will be done in layers to avoid ponding effect. iii. Mining will not interfere with the ground water table. iv. Maintaining the quality of surface water by preventing dumping of wastes. 8. NOISE ENVIRONMENT Mining shall be carried out Semi-mechanized open east with conventional hand tools & without drilling & blasting. Interburden shall be temporarily dumped towards slope of working pit & all quantities shall be used for backfilling before commencement of east to west direction. Mineral from pit head to road shall be transported manually. Mining operations shall be carriedout in day time in single shift & excavator shall be deployed for the removal of overburden & interburden & its deployment shall be 4-5 hours in a day. Therefore no impact on noise level shall be observed during mining operations. 57 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 9. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Present data have been collected through direct inventory as well as various Government Departments such as forests, agriculture, etc. The flora & fauna of the study area is detailed as below: Flora of the Core zone S. No. Species Family Habit 1 Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae Herb 2 Colocasia esculenta Araceae Herb 3 Parthenium hysterophorus Asteraceae Herb 4 Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Herb 5 Saccharum spontaneum Poaceae Herb 6 Adiantum sp. Adiantaceae Herb 7 Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Shrub 8 Cassia occidentalis Fabaceae Shrub 9 Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Shrub 10 Ziziphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae Shrub 11 Datura innoxia Solanaceae Shrub 12 Lantana camara Verbenaceae Shrub 13 Lagerstroemia indica Lythraceae Tree 14 Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Herb 15 Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Herb 16 Chromoleana odorata (L.) Asteraceae Shrub 17 Cannabis sativa L. Canabaceae Herb 18 Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Herb 58 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR S. No. Species Family Habit 19 Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Tree 20 Bauhinia acuminata Fabaceae Tree 21 Terminalia bellerica Combretaceae Tree 22 Delonix regia Fabaceae Tree 23 Acer oblongum Sapindaceae Tree 24 Ficus religiosa Moraceae Tree 25 Cassia fistula Fabaceae Tree Flora of the Buffer zone S. No. Species Family Habit 1 Alternanthera paronychioides Amaranthaceae Herb 2 Alternanthera pungens Amaranthaceae Herb 3 Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae Herb 4 Colocasia esculenta Araceae Herb 5 Ageratum conyzoides Asteraceae Herb 6 Grangea maderaspatana Asteraceae Herb 7 Parthenium hysterophorus Asteraceae Herb 8 Cassia tora Fabaceae Herb 9 Cannabis sativa Cannabaceae Herb 10 Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae Herb 11 Argemone mexicana Papaveraceae Herb 12 Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Herb 13 Eleusine indica Poaceae Herb 59 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR S. No. Species Family Habit 14 Eragrostis tenella Poaceae Herb 15 Saccharum spontaneum Poaceae Herb 16 Physalis minima Solanaceae Herb 17 Adiantum sps. Adiantaceae Herb 18 Pteris sps. Pteridaceae Herb 19 Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Shrub 20 Cassia occidentalis Fabaceae Shrub 21 Croton bonplandianum Euphorbiaceae Shrub 21 Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Shrub 22 Bougainvillea spectabilis Nyctaginaceae Shrub 23 Ziziphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae Shrub 24 Datura innoxia Solanaceae Shrub 25 Solanum virginianum Solanaceae Shrub 26 Lantana camara Verbenaceae Shrub 27 Berberis vulgaris Berberidaceae Shrub 28 Murraya koeniggi Rutaceae Shrub 29 Jatropha curcas Euphorbiaceae Tree 30 Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae Tree 31 Lagerstroemia indica Lythraceae Tree 32 Ulmus wallichiana Ulmaceae Tree 33 Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae Tree 34 Juglaus regia Judlandaceae Tree 35 Acer oblongum Sapindaceae Tree 60 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR S. No. Species Family Habit 36 Ficus religiosa Moraceae Tree 37 Ficus racemosa Moraceae Tree 38 Cassia fistula Fabaceae Tree 39 Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Tree 40 Albizia lebbeck Fabaceae Tree 41 Bauhinia acuminata Fabaceae Tree 42 Quercus leucotricophera Lauraceae Tree 43 Melia azedarach Meliaceae Tree 44 Leucaena leucocephala Fabaceae Tree 45 Bauhinia variegate Fabaceae Tree 46 Terminalia bellerica Combretaceae Tree 47 Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Tree 48 Delonix regia Fabaceae Tree 49 Pinus roxburgii Pinaceae Tree 50 Celtis australis Cannabaceae Tree 51 Grewia optiva Tiliaceae Tree 52 Holoptelea integrifolia Ulmaceae Tree Fauna of the Core zone S. No. Common Name Scientific Name IWPA IUCN AVIFAUNA 1 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis IV LC 2 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis IV VU 3 House Crow Corvus splendens V LC 61 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 4 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus IV LC 5 Koel Eudynamys scolopacea IV NA 6 Sparrow Passer domesticus IV LC MAMMALS 1 Squirrel Funambulus pennant IV DD 2 Rat Rattus rattus V LC LC: Least Concern, NA: Not Assessed, DD: Data deficient, NT: Near Threatened, E: Endangered. Fauna of the Buffer zone S.No. Common Name Scientific name IWPA IUCN MAMMALS 1 Squirrel Funambulus pennant IV DD 2 Rat Rattus rattus V LC 3 Wild pig Sus scrofa III LC 4 Yellow throated marten Martes flavigula III LC 5 Monkey Macaca mulata II LC 6 Fruit bat Rousettus leshenaulti IV LC 7 Common langoor Presbytis entellus II LC 8 Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica IV LC 9 Indian Leopard Panthera pardus I NT 10 Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus I VU REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS 1 Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus IV NA 2 India bull frog Rana tigrina IV DD 3 Indian tree frog Polypedates maculatus IV NA 4 Skipping frog Bufo stomaticus IV NA 62 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 5 Garden lizard Calotes versicolor - NA 6 House lizard Hemidactylus sp. IV NA FISHES 1 Unera Labeo dero --- NA 2 Kali Rohu Labeo dyocheilus --- LC 3 Gadera Nemacheilus rupicola --- NA 4 Dhaur , Hill Trout Barilius bendelisis --- LC 5 Bhagnera Garra lamta --- LC AVIFAUNA 1. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus IV LC 2. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis IV LC 3. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum IV LC 4. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus IV LC 5. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis IV LC 6. House Crow Corvus splendens IV LC 7. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos 8. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus IV LC 9. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea IV LC 10. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis IV LC 11. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus IV LC 12. Rock Dove Columba livia IV LC 13. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis IV LC 14. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis IV LC 15. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus IV LC 63 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 16. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala IV LC 17. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata IV LC 18. White Wagtail Motacilla alba IV LC 19. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus IV LC 20. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus IV LC 21. House Sparrow Passer domesticus IV LC 22. Spotted Nutcracker Nucifiraga caryocatactes 23. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer IV LC 24. Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys IV LC 25. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria IV LC 26. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis IV LC 27. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus IV LC LC: Least Concern, NA: Not Assessed, DD: Data deficient, NT: Near Threatened, E: Endangered. There are two Schedule-I species (Leopard and Asiatic black bear) found in the study area and for that conservation plan has been prepared. Plant species of RET category were not observed in the area. On the other hand plantation is proposed around the boundary of the lease area as a part of restoration works. The mitigative measures proposed are: Prior to mining, short awareness program will be conducted for labors to make them aware for way of working. No tree cutting, chopping, lumbering, uprooting of shrubs and herbs will be allowed. No track or new road for movement of labors or vehicles be laid in adjoining area, this will prevent fragmentation, encroachment and human – animal encounter. Green Belt The area is basically agricultural. It is therefore deficient in trees. The mining activities will be concentrated on cultivated fields. Therefore no flora shall be disturbed due to mining & 64 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR allied activities. List of proposed plant species to be planted for greenbelt development in the surroundings of lease area are given as follows: List of Plant Species for Greenbelt Development S. No. Botanical name Common Name Uses 1 Aesculus indica Indian Horse Chestnut Flower edible, Medicinal, Timber; 2 Alnus nepalensis Utis Timber, Medicinal 3 Anthocephalus cadamba Kadam Fruit edible, Medicinal 4 Berberis aristata Berberi Fruit edible, Medicinal, Timber 5 Cedrus deodara Deodar Timber, Medicinal 6 Ficus racemosa Pakari Timber, Flower bud edible, 7 Ficus religiosa Pipal Timber, Flower edible, Medicinal 8 Punica granatum Daru Fruit edible, Medicinal 9 Quercus leucotrichophora Oak Timber, Fuel 10 Salix tetrasperma Willow Timber, Medicinal 11 Terminalia chebula Myrobalan Fruit edible, Medicinal Proposed numbers of sapling to be planted in five year period of mining Year Total No. Of Sapling I 50 II 50 III 50 IV 50 V 50 Total 250 65 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR 10. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CSR plan has been proposed to actively contribute to the social, environment and economic development of the communities in which we operate. In doing so, build a better, sustainable way of life for the weaker sections of society and raise the country's human development index. SI. No. Activity Capital Cost (in Rs.) 1 Provide drinking water facility in surrounding villages and 50,000/- schools by constructing water tanks at schools and 2 Solar lamp distribution 50,000/- 3 Construction of Toilets with hand pumps 30,000/- 4 Plantation of trees with tree guards 20,000/- TOTAL (in life time) 1,50,000/- It is proposed to allocate 5% of the project cost for the CSR activity. 12. BENEFITS OF MINING Improvements in physical infrastructure. Improvements in Social Infrastructure. Increase in Employment Potential Contribution to the Exchequer. Prevention of illegal mining. During and Post-mining enhancement of green cover. 13. MISCELANEOUS Various acts dealing with matters relating to the conservation and protection of the environment and which a holder of a mining authorization must also take cognizance of include inter alia, the following: Uttarakhand Mineral Policy, 2011 Uttrakhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2001 The Mines Act, 1952 The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 66 PROJECT: BAIDA MAJHEDA SOAPSTONE MINE EMP APPLICANT: Smt. KUNTI PARIHAR Mines Rules, 1955 Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 ************* 67