Introduction

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION 'Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)' is the process of evaluating likely environmental impacts, both positive and negative, of a new or expansion project by taking into account natural, social and economic aspects. It also comprises of suggesting possible mitigation measures, for the negative impacts, before implementation of the project. The main objectives of an EIA report are - • To describe a pre-project baseline condition with respect to Environmental Indicators. • To identify possible sources of pollution and their environmental impacts including identifying risks associated with setting up of a new / expansion project and suggesting appropriate mitigation measures for alleviating adverse impacts to the extent possible. • To suggest environmental / risk management plans for implementing the mitigation measures. India is the largest producer of sugarcane and sugar, still sugar factories in India are facing problems. Sugar factories cannot survive in healthy condition on a single product i.e. sugar. Thus, it is essential to develop sugar factory into an affiliated complex so as to utilize the valuable by-products more profitably.Bio-mass is the most promising alternative fuel. Agro- waste and agro industrial products have today been recognized as ‘modern’ bio-mass material which can be converted directly into useful forms of energy. Bio-mass has the crucial advantage of being environment friendly. Bagasse is a captive bio-mass. In India, there are large numbers of sugar mills of varying crushing capacity ranging from a critical period because of over-production, low sugar price, low international market, etc., can enhance revenue by co-generation. So co-generation would benefit both the nation and the industry. It is estimated that Indian sugar industry can export 3600 MW power by adopting bagasse based co-generation units. In the co-generation sugar mills, power generation and consumption per ton cane is about 108 and 36 units. So power revenue of co-generation sugar mills is around Rs. 210 per ton of cane.Molasses is a very important by-product of the sugar industry. The profits earned by conversion of molasses into alcohol are much higher than that of sale of molasses alone. Moreover, there is a good demand for alcohol in the country as production and consumption of alcohol in India are quite balanced. Also, there is a good export potential out of the country for the alcohol. With a due consideration to all the above facts, the management of Shree Chhatrapati Shahu Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. (SCSSSKL), Kagal, Tal.: Kagal, Dist.: Kolhapur has decided to go for an expansion of its existing sugar factory, co-gen plant and distillery projects. 1.2 THE PROJECT & PROPONENTS The project site of SCSSSKL is located on survey no. 144/1/B, 144/2, 148-151, 153-157, 159-161, 164-172, 186, 244/B, 247/2/3, 61/32. Tal.: Kagal, Dist.: Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The expansion of SCSSSKL sugar factory would be undertaken from7,000 TCD to 10,000 TCD (increase by 3,000 TCD) co-gen plant from 28 MW to 38 MW (increase by 10 MW) and distillery from 60 KLPD to 90 KLPD (increase by 30 KLPD). This report is made in the overall context of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification No. S. O. 1533 (E) dated 14.09.2006 and amendments thereto issued by the 1 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); New Delhi. SCSSSKL Industry comes under Project types namely 5 (j), 1(d) & 5(g) i.e. Sugar Factory, Thermal Power (Co-gen) Plant and Distillery respectively. As per the schedule, Sugar Factory & Co-gen Plant are categorized as 'B' and the Distillery as 'A'. But as expansion of Sugar Factory, Co-gen plant and distillery shall take place in an integrated project complex, entire complex activities would be appraised as Category ‘A’. Present EIA report has been prepared by incorporating required information and details required as per the Terms of Reference (ToRs) issued by MoEFCC vide letter No.J-11011/225/2015-IA II (I) dated 06.09.2018 to SCSSSKL The sugar factory is registered with Govt. of Maharashtra vide certificate No. KPR/PRG (A)/7 dated 21.02.1977.In addition, it has been registered as Multi-State Cooperative Society vide registration no. MSCS/CR/238/2006 dated 05.05.2006. The first crushing season of sugar factory was undertaken in the year 1980-81. Table 1.1 Project Investment Details No. Industrial unit Capital Investment Existing Expansion Total 1 Sugar Factory, Co-gen Plant & Distillery Rs. 350.86 Cr. Rs. 110 Cr. Rs. 460.86 Cr. Table 1.2 Promoters of SCSSSKL No. Name Designation 1 Late Shri Vikramsinh Jaysingrao Ghatge Founder-Chairman 2 Shri Samarjeetsinh V. Ghatge Chairman 3 Shri AmarsinhGopalraoGhorpade Vice - Chairman 4 Shri. Jitendra Anandrao Chavan Managing Director 1.2.1 Achievements by SCSSSKL SCSSSKL have been honoured by various awards since 1986 till date - • Best Sugar Factory in India. • Best Sugar Factory in Maharashtra. • Best Distillery of Maharashtra. • Best Co-operative Sugar Factory Award in High Recovery Area. • Cane Development in High Recovery Area. • Best Overall Performance Sugar Mill from Co-operative unit. • Maximum Export of Sugar. These awards were given by various institutes and organisations like - • National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories, New Delhi. • Vasant dada Sugar Institute, Pune. • Vasantrao Naik Agri & Rural Development Foundation, Mumbai. • Maharashtra Rajya Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Sangh Ltd .Mumbai etc. Moreover, in August 2016, SCSSSKL have been privileged by ‘Vanashri’ award for plantation in non-forest area by Social Forestry Department, Maharashtra by the hands of Cabinet Minister –Shri Nitin Gadkari. Refer Appendix–U for more details regarding awards. 2 1.3 THE PLACE The proposed expansion of sugar factory, co-gen plant and distillery shall be carried out at existing set up of SCSSSKL.The total land acquired by the industry is 14,00,000Sq.M. (140 Ha.) .The total built up area of sugar factory, distillery & co-gen projects is 1,74,013 Sq.M. (17.4 Ha).A no objection certificate forthe proposed expansion projects activities has been obtained from the Kagal Municipal Council, Kagal. Following aspects have been taken into consideration while planning expansion project activities in the SCSSSKL complex - 1. Availability of excess cane for crushing in sugar factory from the operational area. 2. Availability of adequate equipments and allied infrastructure in sugar factory, co-gen and distillery unit. 3. Availability of adequate quantity of water and electricity for the proposed project. 4. The nearest city Kolhapur is 13 km and town Kagal is 1.20 Km away from the project site which is very well connected with other parts of the country by roads, rail. 5. No rehabilitation and resettlement are required to be done. 3 Figure 1.1 Location of the Project Site e Maps are purely graphical and not to scale, Latitude: 16°35'24.36"N, Longitude: 74°17'54.21"E 4 1.4 IMPORTANCE TO COUNTRY & REGION The sugar industries in India is well maintained and is growing at a steady pace, boasting of a consumer base of over billions of people. The bulk of rural population in India depends on this industry. One of the agro-based enterprises in India, sugar manufacturing is the second largest agricultural industry, after the textile sector. Sugar manufacturing in Maharashtra is one of the most notable sectors in the country. The pace of growth of this industry has been massive over the past few years. Most of the sugar units have by-product utilization plants, based on bagasse and molasses. Ethanol, power and paper projects have tremendous scope for development in India. In near future, about 10-15% ethanol may be allowed to be blended with petrol. Thus, alcohol production from molasses has the most promising prospects. Bagasse based power generation projects, installed in the premises of sugar factory, not only fulfil captive need of the industry but also make available surplus power which could be exported in the grid thereby providing value addition. Bagasse based co-generation of steam and electricity is not new to India and has been practised for long in sugar mills. The primary objective in the past had been to produce steam required for processing and incidentally generating electricity. Since process steam was required at pressures that were not high, low pressure boilers were used to produce steam. Steam turbines driving the mills and generators were therefore, designed to operate with low pressure steam. As the low-pressure steam has a large quantum of heat, which is lost in the process of condensing, the efficiency of conventional power plants is only around 35%. In a cogeneration plant, very high efficiency levels, in the range of 75% – 90%, can be reached. This is so, because the low-pressure exhaust steam coming out of the turbine is not condensed, but used for heating purposes in factories or houses. In certain mills, electricity generated was not enough to meet captive requirements and the short fall was met by drawing electricity from the utility grid. In the mid-eighties it was realized that by making maximum use of potential for co-generating steam and electricity from baggase, generation of electricity could be increased not only to fully meet the captive requirements but also to have exportable surplus that could bring in additional profit. Since co-generation can meet both power and heat needs, it has other advantages as well in the form of significant cost savings for the plant and reduction in emissions of pollutants due to reduced fuel consumption. Where there is a need to augment the steam and power generation within the plant on account of capacity up- gradation, where there is a potential to improve the energy efficiency of the sugar plant by retiring inefficient boilers and turbo generators, it is prudent for the sugar factory to go in for new high pressure and high efficiency boilers and matching turbo generators.
Recommended publications
  • Shahezan Issani Report Environment and Social Impact Assessment for Road Asset 2020-03-02
    Draft Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 53376-001 September 2020 IND: DBL Highway Project Prepared by AECOM India Private Limited The initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “Terms of Use” section of this website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. FINAL ESIA Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of Road Asset Anandapuram-Pendurthi-Anakapalli Section of NH-16 Dilip Buildcon Limited September 19, 2020 Environment and Social Impact Assessment of Road Asset – Anandapuram – Pendurthi – Ankapalli Section of NH 16, India FINAL Quality information Prepared by Checked by Verified by Approved by Shahezan Issani Bhupesh Mohapatra Bhupesh Mohapatra Chetan Zaveri Amruta Dhamorikar Deepti Bapat Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 01 23 April 2020 First cut ESIA report without Yes Chetan Zaveri Executive Director monitoring data 02 30 April 2020 Draft ESIA report without monitoring Yes Chetan Zaveri Executive Director data 03 9 July 2020 Final ESIA report with monitoring Yes Chetan Zaveri Executive Director data and air modelling
    [Show full text]
  • List of 6038 Schools Selected for Establishment of Atal Tinkering
    LIST OF 6038 SCHOOLS SELECTED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ATAL TINKERING LABS (SCHOOLS ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM ATAL INNOVATION MISSION, NITI AAYOG ON THEIR REGISTERED EMAIL IDs) PLEASE NOTE:- 1. LAST DATE FOR COMPLETING THE COMPLIANCE PROCESS : 31st JANUARY 2020 2. THESE SELECTED SCHOOLS MUST OPEN A NEW BANK ACCOUNT IN A PUBLIC SECTOR BANK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATL GRANT. 3. THESE SELECTED SCHOOLS MUST NOT SHARE THEIR INFORMATION WITH ANY THIRD PARTY/ VENDOR/ AGENT/ AND MUST COMPLETE THE COMPLIANCE PROCESS ON THEIR OWN. 4. THIS LIST IS ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF STATE, DISTRICT AND FINALLY SCHOOL NAME. S.N. ATL UID CODE UDISE CODE SCHOOL NAME STATE DISTRICT 1 2760806 28222800515 ANDHRA PRADESH MODEL SCHOOL PUTLURU ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 2 132314217 28224201013 AP MODEL SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 3 574614473 28223600320 AP MODEL SCHOOL AND JUNIOR COLLEGE ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 4 278814373 28223200124 AP MODEL SCHOOL RAPTHADU ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 5 2995459 28222500704 AP SOCIAL WELFARE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL JUNIOR COLLEGE FOR GIRLS KURUGUNTA ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 6 13701194 28220601919 AVR EM HIGH SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 7 15712075 28221890982 AVR EM HIGH SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 8 56051196 28222301035 AVR EM HIGH SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 9 385c1160 28221591153 AVR EM HIGH SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 10 102112978 28220902023 GOOD SHEPHERD ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR 11 243715046 28220590484 K C NARAYANA E M SCHOOL ANDHRA PRADESH ANANTAPUR LIST OF 6038 SCHOOLS SELECTED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ATAL TINKERING LABS (SCHOOLS ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM ATAL INNOVATION MISSION, NITI AAYOG ON THEIR REGISTERED EMAIL IDs) PLEASE NOTE:- 1.
    [Show full text]
  • SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR Provisional Electoral Roll of Registered Graduates
    SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR Provisional Electoral Roll of Registered Graduates Polling Center : 1 Kolhapur District - Chh.Shahu Central Institute of Business Education & Research, Kolhapur Faculty - ARTS AND FINE ARTS Sr. No. Name and Address 1 ADAKE VASANT SAKKAPPA uchgaon kolhapur 416005, 2 ADNAIK DEVRAJ KRISHNAT s/o krishnat adnaik ,891,gaalwada ,yevluj,kolhapur., 3 ADNAIK DEVRAJ KRUSHANT Yevluj Panhala, 4 ADNAIK KRISHNAT SHANKAR A/P-KUDITRE,TAL-KARVEER, City- KUDITRE Tal - KARVEER Dist- KOLHAPUR Pin- 416204 5 AIWALE PRAVIN PRAKASH NEAR YASHWANT KILLA KAGAL TAL - KAGAL. DIST - KOLHAPUR PIN - 416216, 6 AJAGEKAR SEEMA SHANTARAM 35/36 Flat No.103, S J Park Apartment, B Ward Jawahar Nagar, Vishwkarma Hsg. Society, Kolhapur, 7 AJINKYA BHARAT MALI Swapnanjali Building Geetanjali Colony, Nigave, Karvir kolhapur, 8 AJREKAR AASHQIN GANI 709 C WARD BAGAWAN GALLI BINDU CHOUK KOLHAPUR., 9 AKULWAR NARAYAN MALLAYA R S NO. 514/4 E ward Shobha-Shanti Residency Kolhapur, 10 ALAVEKAR SONAL SURESH 2420/27 E ward Chavan Galli, Purv Pavellion Ground Shejari Kasb bavda, kolhapur, 11 ALWAD SANGEETA PRADEEP Plot No 1981/6 Surna E Ward Rajarampuri 9th Lane kolhapur, 12 AMANGI ROHIT RAVINDRA UJALAIWADI,KOLHAPUR, 13 AMBI SAVITA NAMDEV 2362 E WARD AMBE GALLI, KASABA BAWADA KOLHPAUR, 14 ANGAJ TEJASVINI TANAJI 591A/2 E word plot no1 Krushnad colony javal kasaba bavada, 15 ANURE SHABIR GUJBAR AP CHIKHALI,TAL KAGAL, City- CHIKALI Tal - KAGAL Dist- KOLHPUR Pin- 416235 16 APARADH DHANANJAY ASHOK E WARD, ULAPE GALLI, KASABA BAWADA, KOLHAPUR., 17 APUGADE RAJENDRA BAJARANG
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Fish and Herptiles in Traditional Folk Therapies in Three
    Altaf et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2020) 16:38 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-020-00379-z RESEARCH Open Access The use of fish and herptiles in traditional folk therapies in three districts of Chenab riverine area in Punjab, Pakistan Muhammad Altaf1* , Arshad Mehmood Abbasi2*, Muhammad Umair3, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad4, Kinza Irshad2 and Abdul Majid Khan5 Abstract Background: Like botanical taxa, various species of animals are also used in traditional and modern health care systems. Present study was intended with the aim to document the traditional uses of herptile and fish species among the local communities in the vicinity of the River Chenab, Punjab Pakistan. Method: Data collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were subsequently analyzed using relative frequency of citation (FC), fidelity level (FL), relative popularity level (RPL), similarity index (SI), and rank order priority (ROP) indices. Results: Out of total 81 reported species, ethnomedicinal uses of eight herptiles viz. Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Eublepharis macularius, Varanus bengalensis, Python molurus, Eryx johnii, Ptyas mucosus mucosus, Daboia russelii russelii and five fish species including Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo dero, Mastacembelus armatus, and Pethia ticto were reported for the first time from this region. Fat, flesh, brain, and skin were among the commonly utilized body parts to treat allergy, cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory disorders, sexual impotency, skin infections, and as antidote and anti-diabetic agents. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Duttaphrynus stomaticus, and Ptyas mucosus mucosus (herptiles), as well as Labeo rohita, Wallago attu, and Cirrhinus reba (fish) were top ranked with maximum informant reports, frequency of citations, and rank order priority.
    [Show full text]
  • Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus Frenatus)
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal NeoBiota 27: 69–79On (2015) the origin of South American populations of the common house gecko 69 doi: 10.3897/neobiota.27.5437 RESEARCH ARTICLE NeoBiota http://neobiota.pensoft.net Advancing research on alien species and biological invasions On the origin of South American populations of the common house gecko (Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus frenatus) Omar Torres-Carvajal1 1 Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Avenida 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, Apartado 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador Corresponding author: Omar Torres-Carvajal ([email protected]) Academic editor: Sven Bacher | Received 11 June 2015 | Accepted 27 August 2015 | Published 15 September 2015 Citation: Torres-Carvajal O (2015) On the origin of South American populations of the common house gecko (Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus frenatus). NeoBiota 27: 69–79. doi: 10.3897/neobiota.27.5437 Abstract Hemidactylus frenatus is an Asian gecko species that has invaded many tropical regions to become one of the most widespread lizards worldwide. This species has dispersed across the Pacific Ocean to reach Ha- waii and subsequently Mexico and other Central American countries. More recently, it has been reported from northwestern South America. Using 12S and cytb mitochondrial DNA sequences I found that South American and Galápagos haplotypes are identical to those from Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, suggest- ing a common Melanesian origin for both Hawaii and South America. Literature records suggest that H. frenatus arrived in Colombia around the mid-‘90s, dispersed south into Ecuador in less than five years, and arrived in the Galápagos about one decade later.
    [Show full text]
  • Green Audit of Al- Ameen College, Edathala
    GREEN AUDIT OF AL- AMEEN COLLEGE, EDATHALA Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) Ecological Research Campus, Velloor P.O. Kottayam PREFACE As part of NAAC accreditation programme, Green Audit is a mandatory component for fulfilling the requirements for the accreditation. Green audit includes energy audit, water audit and biodiversity audit. In May 2019, Al-Ameen College, Edathala, Aluva in collaboration with Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), the affiliated research center of Mahatma Gandhi University, has initiated College-NGO Partnership Initiative (CNPI) programme in their college involving students and faculty members. In CNPI programme, Green Audit is the major component. It is basically a student capacity building programme, equipping them to meet the challenges and to evolve a socially and environmentally responsible society. It aims to inculcate research culture among the students and faculty of the college and to develop the right scientific temper and outlook. 2 | CNPI - GREEN AUDIT REPORT OF AL - AMEEN COLLEGE, EDATHALA 1. ABOUT COLLEGE Al-Ameen College, Edathala, Aluva is a cutting edge Arts and Science Co-educational Institution of higher education in aided sector. It is one of the prime institutions run by the Al-Ameen Education Trust, Kochi. The trust is a part of the Al-Ameen Movement started in Bangalore by a group of dedicated and inspired thinkers who wishes to uplift the cause of education among the backward sections. Al-Ameen College, Edathala has a humble beginning as a junior College with five Pre-Degree batches in 17 November, 1981 on the lap of rural area of Edathala Grama- Panchayat in a serene atmosphere, comprising of 25 acres.
    [Show full text]
  • MADAGASCAR: the Wonders of the “8Th Continent” a Tropical Birding Set Departure
    MADAGASCAR: The Wonders of the “8th Continent” A Tropical Birding Set Departure November 3—28, 2013 Guide: Ken Behrens All photos taken during this trip. All photos by Ken Behrens unless noted otherwise. TOUR SUMMARY Madagascar has long been a core destination for Tropical Birding, and with last year’s opening of a satellite office in the country, we have further solidified our expertise in the “Eighth Continent.” This was another highly successful set-departure tour to this special island. It included both the Northwestern Endemics Pre-Trip at the start and the Helmet Vanga extension to the Masoala Peninsula at the end. Although Madagascar poses some logistical challenges, especially in the form of the national airline Air Madagascar, we had no problems on this tour, not even a single delayed flight! The birding was great, with 196 species recorded, including almost all of the island’s endemic birds. As usual, the highlight was seeing all five of the incredible ground-rollers, from the roadrunner-like Long-tailed of the spiny forest to the wonderful rainforest-dwelling Scaly. There was a strong cast of vangas, including Helmet, Bernier’s, and Sickle-billed. In fact, we saw every member of the family save the mysterious Red-tailed Newtonia which is only regularly seen in the far south. As normal, the couas were also a favorite. From the shy and beautiful Red-breasted of Madagascar Set Departure Tour Nov. 3-28, 2013 the eastern rainforest to the huge Giant Coua of the dry western forest, we were looking for and at couas virtually every day! The bizarre mesites form a Malagasy endemic family, and we had superb extended views of all three members of the family.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report for the Year 2019-2020
    MADRAS CROCODILE BANK TRUST / CENTRE FOR HERPETOLOGY Post bag No.4, Vadanemmelli Village, East Coast Road, Mamallapuram-603 104, Tamil Nadu, India Annual Report for the year 2019-2020 2 CONTENTS S.No Section Page Number 1. Report of the Officer-in-charge 5 2. History of the Zoo 6 3. Vision 6 4. Mission 7 5. Objective 7 6. About us 7 7. Organizational Chart 11 8. Human Resources 12 9. Capacity Building of the zoo personnel 13 10. Zoo Advisory Committee 13 11. Health Advisory Committee 14 12. Statement of income and expenditure of the Zoo 14 13. Daily feed Schedule of animals 15 14. Vaccination Schedule of animals 19 15. De-worming Schedule of animals 19 3 S.No Section Page Number 16. Disinfection Schedule 19 17. Health Check-up of employees for zoonotic diseases 22 18. Development Works carried out in the zoo during the year 23 19. Education and Awareness programmes during the year 24 20. Important Events and happenings in the zoo 25 21. Seasonal special arrangements for upkeep of animals 25 22. Research Work carried out and publications 26 23. Conservation Breeding Programme of the Zoo 27 24. Animal acquisition / transfer / exchange during the year 27 25. Rescue and Rehabilitation of the wild animals carried out by the zoo 28 26. Annual Inventory of animals 30 27. Mortality of animals. 39 28. Status of the Compliance with conditions stipulated by the Central Zoo 44 Authority 29. List of free living wild animals within the zoo premises 45 4 1. Report of the Officer-in-charge The year 2019-2020 was a great one for us at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), although we were looking at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the far end of the year.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
    Journal of Sustainability Science and Management e-ISSN: 2672-7226 Volume 14 Number 1, February 2019 : 11-28 © Penerbit UMT HERPETOFAUNA OF UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU CAMPUS: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY IN CAMPUS GREEN AREA BAIZUL HAFSYAM BADLI-SHAM1, NOOR SHAHIRAH-IBRAHIM1, GOH SHU XIAN1, HAYATUN SYAMILA-NOH1, NIK SITI AISHAH ABDUL SHUKOR1, FARAH ANIS SHAFIE1, NURASIKIN MD DAUD1, FARHA ASYIREEN ABDUL RAZAK1, ROSHA ROSLI1, ANIS AZIRA ABDUL AZIZ1, FATIMAH NOR FATIHAH MOHAMMAD1, MOHAMED FAHMI KAMARUZZAMAN1, SUHAILI MOHAMAD1, KHUNIRAH DZU1, AMALINA SHARIFFUDIN1, SITI NAJWA-SAWAWI1 AND AMIRRUDIN AHMAD1,2,* 1School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 2Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus at Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Nerus has a considerable patch of pristine coastal mangrove forest, comprising more than 13 tree species, and associated fauna, such as bats, birds, insects, and herpetofauna. Over the years, many of the green areas, including mangrove vegetation have been replaced with built-up areas. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of herpetofauna in green areas around the UMT campus. Samplings of amphibians and reptiles were conducted by using the visual encounter survey technique. A total of 237 individuals representing 22 herpetofauna species was recorded, comprising five amphibians and 19 reptiles. All of the amphibians were regarded as habitat generalist species, while the reptiles were represented by 13 generalist species and 11 habitat specialist species. These species assemblages could be the reflection of the severe degradation of natural habitats, in which the remnant mangrove forests serve as a refuge.
    [Show full text]
  • Opportunistic Feeding by House-Dwelling Geckos: Does This Make Them More Successful Invaders?
    The Herpetological Bulletin 149, 2019: 38-40 SHORT COMMUNICATION https://doi.org/10.33256/hb149.3840 Opportunistic feeding by house-dwelling geckos: does this make them more successful invaders? ROBBIE WETERINGS1* & PREEYAPORN WETERINGS1 1 Cat Drop Foundation, Drachten, Netherlands *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract - Various species of ‘house’ gecko are found in and around buildings, where they can be observed feeding opportunistically on the insects attracted to artificial lights. Most of the species are considered strict insectivores. Nevertheless, there have been several recently published observations of ‘house’ geckos feeding on non-insect food. In order to assess how common this behaviour is among geckos worldwide, we offered an online questionnaire to ecologists and herpetologists. Of the 74 observations received, most reported Hemidactylus frenatus, H. platyurus and Gehyra mutilata feeding on rice, bread, fruits, vegetables, dog food or chocolate cream, taken from tables, plates, and garbage bins. This opportunistic feeding behaviour is much more common than previously thought and is perpetrated by species considered to be highly invasive, possibly contributing to their success as invaders. INTRODUCTION 2. What did the gecko consume? a. Insects or other invertebrates everal gecko species (e.g. Hemidactylus frenatus and b. Fruit or vegetables SGehyra mutilata) are often found in and around houses. c. Rice These, so-called ‘house’ geckos, are very well adapted to d. Bread urban life and are often observed feeding opportunistically e. Eggs on insects attracted to artificial lights at night (Tkaczenko f. Unsure et al., 2014). This provides them an easily accessible food g. Other... source in locations generally lacking predators.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibians and Reptiles of the State of Coahuila, Mexico, with Comparison with Adjoining States
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 593: 117–137Amphibians (2016) and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison... 117 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.593.8484 CHECKLIST http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison with adjoining states Julio A. Lemos-Espinal1, Geoffrey R. Smith2 1 Laboratorio de Ecología-UBIPRO, FES Iztacala UNAM. Avenida los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, edo. de México, Mexico – 54090 2 Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA 43023 Corresponding author: Julio A. Lemos-Espinal ([email protected]) Academic editor: A. Herrel | Received 15 March 2016 | Accepted 25 April 2016 | Published 26 May 2016 http://zoobank.org/F70B9F37-0742-486F-9B87-F9E64F993E1E Citation: Lemos-Espinal JA, Smith GR (2016) Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison with adjoining statese. ZooKeys 593: 117–137. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.593.8484 Abstract We compiled a checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. The list com- prises 133 species (24 amphibians, 109 reptiles), representing 27 families (9 amphibians, 18 reptiles) and 65 genera (16 amphibians, 49 reptiles). Coahuila has a high richness of lizards in the genus Sceloporus. Coahuila has relatively few state endemics, but has several regional endemics. Overlap in the herpetofauna of Coahuila and bordering states is fairly extensive. Of the 132 species of native amphibians and reptiles, eight are listed as Vulnerable, six as Near Threatened, and six as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. In the SEMARNAT listing, 19 species are Subject to Special Protection, 26 are Threatened, and three are in Danger of Extinction.
    [Show full text]
  • Three New Exotic Gecko Species Identified on Curaçao
    Three new exotic gecko species identified on Curaçao By Jocelyn Behm (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Temple University) As part of the Caribbean Island Biogeography were known to have breeding populations it was found in Cuba. It is now present in the While they were processing their genetic samples, meets the Anthropocene project, researchers on Curaçao. Bahamas, Grand Cayman Island, Guadeloupe, and Gerard van Buurt received a notification that the initiated their surveys for exotic reptile and Curaçao. Upon discussions with their collaborator, exotic Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) was found in the amphibian species on Curaçao. They found three The research team conducted day and evening Gerard van Buurt, he reviewed older photographs Santa Catharina neighborhood of Curaçao. The new exotic gecko species on Curaçao, which surveys island-wide to confirm the presence of and identified a mourning gecko in a photo L’Aldea restaurant has a small display of animals may have negative implications for Curaçao’s these exotic species and potentially identify new taken in 2009. Therefore, they know it has been to entertain visitors including the Tokay gecko, three native gecko species and species. Often exotic species are found more in established on Curaçao for nearly a decade. and apparently juvenile geckos escaped from this native ecosystems. developed areas than natural habitats, so they enclosure and established a breeding population searched both natural areas (e.g., Christoffel, The second species the team discovered is the in the neighborhood. The captive Tokay geckos Exotic species, species introduced to a new Kabouterbos), and developed areas (e.g., resorts, Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus).
    [Show full text]