EB Report of Residential Apartments at Durgapur, Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha

3. Biological Environment 3.1. Introduction Biodiversity reflects the potential of a regional ecosystem of a particular area and used as indicators for any changes in the environment. Biological diversity comprises the variability of genus, species and ecosystems and is very crucial for maintaining the basic processes on which the life depends. On the basis of biological physiology, biodiversity broadly can be divided into two category i.e. the floral diversity and faunal diversity.

Conservation of the biodiversity is essential for the sustainable development as it not only provides the food, fodder and medicine, but also contributes to improvement of essential environmental attributes like air, water, soil, etc. Before starting any Environmental Impact Assessment study, it is necessary to identify the baseline of relevant environmental parameters which are likely to be affected as a result of the operation of the proposed project. A similar approach has been adopted for conducting the study on Biological Environment for this Project. Both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have been studied to understand the biological environment nearby the project site. The study was conducted in the project area to assess all possible consequences on the biological environment. Flora and fauna surveys and data collection conducted for assessing the biological diversity and its status over a period of time that forms an integral part of Impact Assessment Techniques. The present study is highlighting the various issues pertaining to floristic diversity and the faunal wealth in the core area i.e. Residential Apartments at Durgapur, Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha and Buffer Zone i.e. area within 10 km radius. 3.1.1. Description of Study Area Residential Apartments at Durgapur, Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha between 20°14´54.40´´N & 85°42´34.05´´E under the seismic zone-III as per IS-1893 (part-1)-2002. District is located between 17º 49'N-22º 34' N and 81º 29'E -87º 29' E having an area of 2813 sq.km. It is bounded in the north and northeast by Cuttack district, on the west and southwest by Nayagarh and Ganjam districts, on the southeast by Chilika Lake and Puri district. The district is drained by a number of streams which are mostly tributaries of the river Mahanadi. Location and Land-Use pattern of the buffer z one of Residential Apartments is shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 1: Buffer Map of Residential Apartments at Durgapur, Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha

3.1.2. Climate and Rainfall

The district is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate having three distinct seasons in a year, viz winter, summer and rainy seasons. May is the hottest month with mean daily maximum temp of 38°C, while December is the coldest month with mean daily temperature of 15.7°C. The normal annual rainfall is 1449.1mm & the annual average rainfall is 1436.1mm. The maximum rainfall occurs during the monsoon months viz middle June to middle of September. 3.1.3. Soil There are three types of soil generally found in the district i.e. Alfisols, Ultisols and Entisols. Alfisols: The deltaic alluvial soil in the eastern part of the district and the red loamy soils in the northwestern part of the district come under this class. It consists of a wide range of soils including mixed red and black soils, red earth, red loamy soils, red sandy soils, red gravelly soils and other alluvial soils. Ultisols: These include laterite & lateritic soil, red and yellow soils of the northern and north central part of the district. They are characterized by low contents of Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium & Organic matter. Entisols: These include the coastal alluvial soils along the Chilika lake and younger alluvial soils in the central part of the district. 3.1.4. Drainage

The district is dominated by hilly ranges and plateaus. The district is drained by a number of streams which are mostly tributaries of the river Mahanadi and a few other streams discharging in to lake Chilika. The important distributaries of Mahanadi are the Kuakhai, Bhargabi, Kushabhadra and the Daya River. The tributaries of the Mahanadi are the Ran and Kalijiri. The streams draining the southern parts of the district are Sulia, Kharia and the Kusumi. All the streams are ephemeral and effluent in nature. Chilika, the largest salt water lake of India is situated in the southeastern part of the district. 3.2. Methodology 3.2.1. Period of Sampling The ecological survey has been conducted during Post monsoon season for the collection of primary data of flora-fauna, vegetation, soil and other environmental observations. The details are given as below: Post-monsoon: October to December Core zone : At the project site Buffer zone : Around 10 km radius of the project site 3.2.2. Mode of Data Collection A detailed survey was conducted to evaluate floral and faunal composition of the study area. Primary data on floral and faunal composition was recorded during site visits and secondary data was collected from the Forest Department and published relevant literature. Inventory of flora and fauna has been prepared on the basis of collecting data. The mode of data and parameters considered during field investigations is given in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Mode of data collection & parameters considered during the survey Aspect Data Mode of data collection Parameters monitored Primary data By field survey Floral and Faunal diversity collection *Department of Forest Odisha; Floral and Faunal diversity Terrestrial *Published literatures on the website of and study of vegetation, Ecology Secondary data Odisha Govt. forest type, importance etc. collection *Official website of Bhubhaneshwar district, 3.3. Biological Component of Core Zone 3.3.1. Flora Core zone of the project is situated on barren land and some parts of the proposed area have been developed. During the field survey some vegetation observed in the core zone which are were listed in Table 3.2. Table 3.2: List of Flora recorded from the core zone of Residential Apartments S. No. Botanical Name Common Name Hindi Name Family 1 Apluda mutica Mauritian Grass Tachula, Poaceae 2 Achyranthes aspera Prickly Chaff Flower Chirchita Amaranthaceae 3 Blumea eriantha Kakronda, Blumea Kakronda, Asteraceae 4 Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass Doob Poaceae 5 Eragrostis setifolia Indian lower grass Bhurbhusi Poaceae 6 parthenium hysterophorus Carrot Grass Gajar ghas Asteraceae Source: GRC Survey Data.

3.3.2. Fauna Core zone of the Residential Apartments Project located at barren land and there is no major vegetation in the core zone. During the field survey, mammal species are not observed while; some moving birds (Maina, Goraiya, Crow and Parrot) and reptiles (Rock Lizard) were observed in the lease area. There is no any permanent aquatic habitat in the core zone, so aquatic flora and fauna also does not exist. 3.4. Biological Component of Buffer Zone

3.4.1. Flora of the Buffer Zone

3.4.1.1. Forests

Residential Apartments Project is situated on the barren land in the district, surrounded by agriculture land, barren land, some human settlements and some tree cover land. The district has a total geographical area of 2,887.5 km2, out of which 375 km2 (13.33% of total geographical area) are cover with forest. Churhanga RF, Krushna Nagar PF, Jagannath Prasad PF, Naupali PF and Bharatpur PF are situated in the buffer zone. All these forests are now part of Chandaka Dampara wildlife sanctuary which is situated within the 10 km periphery of the project site which is declared and protected under “Wildlife Protection Act (1972). The details of forest cover in Bhubhaneshwar district are given in Table 3.4.

Table 3.4: Forest Cover Area in Bhubhaneshwar District of Odisha (Area in Sq.km)

Very Geographical Mod. Dense % of dense Open forest Total Change Scrub Area forest G.A. forest 2,813 23 190 162 375 13.33 0 156 Source: Indian State Forest report, Odisha, 2009.

Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary Changes brought in habitat conditions due to increasing human influences on natural areas have posed serious threat to wildlife. Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, covering an area of 193.93 sq. km in Orissa is one of the natural reserves of elephants which have undergone serious changes brought in through anthropogenic activities of urban areas of Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar lying within the proximity of the sanctuary. The natural reserve, an ideal habitat for elephants, was connected to neighboring extensive forest belts. These connections have been either degraded or deforested over the years.

3.4.1.2. Vegetation in and around Human Settlement Vegetation pattern in and surrounding areas are slightly different from the rest of the areas in the buffer zone of present development project. The common species grown near settlements are mostly edible or useful plants such as Acacia chundra, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Diospyros melanoxylon, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Mangifera indica, Emblica officinalis, Zizyphus nummularia, Bottlebrush Tree, Coconut, Gooseberry, Mast Tree, Palmyra Palm and Wild Date Palm. 3.4.1.3. Terrestrial Flora of the Buffer Zone The district comprises of tropical moist deciduous vegetation due to high temperature and humidity which support various wildlife biodiversity. Among Terrestrial flora, Neem, Bamboo, Kakhada, Kataka, Kendu, Gamhari, Karanja, Saguan, Hatida, Bahada, Bata koli and Kantai koli are dominant vegetation in the district. Chandaka Wildlife sanctiaury situated in the periphery of the project site and some portion of the sanctuary is in buffer area of the present project. Details of floral species found in buffer area and Chandaka wildlife sanctuary is given in Table 3.5.

Table 3.5: Flora of buffer area along with flora of Chandaka wildlife sanctuary S.No. Botanical Name Hindi/Local Name Family 1 Adina cordifolia Karam Rubiaceae 2 Aegle marmelos Bel Rutaceae 3 Ailanthus excelsa Ghorkaranj Simarubaceae 4 Anogeissus latifolia Dhautha Combretaceae 5 Artocarpus integrifolia Kathal Moraceae 6 Artocarpus lakoocha Barhar Moraceae 7 Azadirachta indica Neem Meliaceae 8 Bambusa sp. Bamboo Poaceae 9 Bombax ceiba Semal Malvaceae 10 Buchanania lanzan Piar Anacardiaceae 11 Calotropis ptocera Atakha Apocynaceae 12 Careya arborea Kumbhi Myrtaceae 13 Caseatia elliptica Kakhada Salicaceae 14 Cassia fistula Amaltas Fabaceae 15 Dalbergia latifolia Kala Shisham Fabaceae 16 Dioscotea pentaphylla Kataka Dioscoreaceae 17 Diospyros embryopteris Madartendu Ebenaceae 18 Diospyros melanoxylon Kendu Ebenaceae 19 Diospyros malabarica Mankadakendu Ebenaceae 20 Emblica officinalis Amla Phyllanthaceae 21 Eugenia heyneana Katjamun Myrtaceae 22 Ficus benghalensis Bar Moraceae 23 Ficus cunia Parho Moraceae 24 Ficus religiosa Pipal Moraceae 25 Gmelina arborea Gamhar Rubiaceae 26 Madhuca latifolia Mahul Sapotaceae 27 Mangifera indica Amba Anacardiaceae 28 Morus alba Tut Moraceae 29 Pongamia pinnata Karanja Fabaceae 30 Ptcrocas marsupium Saguan Fabaceae 30 Pterocarpus marsupium Bia/Paisar Fabaceae 31 Rauwolfia serpentina Patala garuda Apocynaceae 32 Shorea robusta Sal/Sakhua Dipterocarpaceae 33 Soymida febrifuga Rohena Meliaceae 34 Streblus taxoides Jhumpuri Kajalapati Moraceae 35 Sttychnos nux-vomica Kuchila Loganiaceae 36 Terminalia bellerica Bahada Combretaceae 37 Terminalia chebula Hatida Combretaceae 38 Terminalia chebula Harra Combretaceae 39 Toona ciliata Toon Meliaceae 40 Tylophora indica Mendhi Asclepiadaceae 41 Uvatia hamilton Lekhan koli Annonaceae 42 Zigyphus oerropla Kantai koli Rhamnaceae 43 Zizyphus mauritiana Bata koli Rhamnaceae Source: GRC Data Supported by Department of Forest, Odisha

3.4.1.4. Aquatic Flora of the Buffer Zone

Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also referred to as macrophytes (Hydrophytes). Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is permanently saturated with water. During the present investigation some macrophytic vegetation and Phytoplankton species were collected and identified growing in the different aquatic habitats in the buffer zone are listed in Table 3.6. and 3.7.

Table 3.6: List of Macrophytes recorded from River Mahanadi and Others water bodies situated in the buffer area

Sl. No. Name of the Taxa 1 Azolla pinnata 10 Ludwigia sp. 2 Ceratophyllum demersum 11 Myriophyllum spicatum 3 Cyperus alopecuroides 12 Najas graminea 4 Eichhornia crassipes 13 Ottelia alismoids 5 Hydrilla verticillata 14 Phragmites karka 6 Ipomoea aquatica 15 Polygonum barbatum 7 Lemna aequinoctialis 16 Polygonum glabrum 8 Lemna minor 17 Potamogeton nodosus 9 Limnophila indica 18 Typha angustata Source: GRC Survey Data

Table 3.7: Phytoplankton species recorded form Mahanadi and others water bodies of buffer area

Sl. No. Name of the Individuals Chlorophyceae Cyanophyceae 1 Ankistrodesmus sp. 1 Anacystis sp. 2 Ankistrodesmus falcatus 2 Aphanocapsa montana 3 Cosmarium sp. 3 Aphanothece sp. 4 Coelastrum sp. 4 Arthrospira massartiia 5 Oocystis sp. 5 Chroococcus sp. 6 Scenedesmus sp. 6 Gloeocapsa sp. 7 Scenedesmus dimorphos 7 Lyngbya sp. 8 Scenedesmus armatus 8 Merismopedia sp. 9 Spirogyra sp. 9 Microcystis flos-aquae Bacillariophyceae Euglenophyceae 1 Achnanthes sp. 1 Euglena sp. 2 Amphora ovalis 2 Euglena acus 3 Ceratonies arcus 3 Trachelomonas sp.

4 Cyclotella sp. Dinophyceae 5 Cymbella tumida 1 Ceratium sp. 6 Fragillaria sp. Xanthophyceae 7 Melosira granulata 1 Tribonema sp.

8 Navicula grimmii Source: GRC Survey data

3.4.2. Fauna of the Buffer zone The buffer area of the present project is unique as it is spread over agriculture field, human settlements, Forest land, and various aquatic habitats. Also, Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary is in the boundary of buffer zone.

Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the natural reserves mainly for elephants and others animals found in the sanctuary are Panther, Spotted deer, Wild boar, Thekua, Mouse deer etc. Except the flora and fauna of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, buffer zone of the present project is devoid of any rare, endangered and threatened plant and animal’s species which are protected under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A list of animals of the study area has been prepared on the basis of present survey, inquiry from local people and from the available published literatures. The animals thus recorded were cross checked with Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for their schedule status. The animals present in the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary are already protected by the concern authority also. The fauna of study area can be grouped in to aquatic and terrestrial as the area mostly comprises of aquatic fauna and the buffer area provides shelter to the terrestrial animals.

3.4.2.1. Terrestrial Fauna of buffer Zone

The district has several mammal species. As per present survey and inquiry from local people, movement of schedule-I category animals have not been seen nearby the project site. During present survey, some domesticated animals such as Cow, Goat, and Buffalo were observed from the buffer zone. List of Mammal, Amphibian and Reptile animals (including Fauna of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary) is given in Table 3.8. Table 3.8: List of Mammal, Amphibian and Reptile animals of Buffer Zone Schedule Status IUCN S. No Scientific Name English Name (WPA- 1972) Status MAMMALS 1. Axis axis Spotted or Chital Deer III LC 2. Bandicota indica Bandicoot Rat V LC 3. Canis aureus Jackal II LC 4. Cynopterus sphinx Short-nosed Fruit Bat V LC 5. Elephas maximus Elephant I EN 6. Felis chaus Jungle Cat II LC 7. Golunda ellioti Indian Bush Rat V LC 8. Herpestes edwardsi Common Mongoose II NA 9. Hystrix indica Indian Porcupine IV LC 10. Lepus nigricollis Indian Hare V LC 11. Macaca mulatta Rhesus Macaque II LC 12. Muntiacus muntjak Barking or Muntjac Deer III LC 13. Mus booduga Indian Field Mouse V LC 14. Panthera pardus Tendua/Panther I VU 15. Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Common Palm Civet II LC 16. Presbytis entellus Common Langur II DD 17. Pteropus giganteus Indian Flying Fox Bat V LC 18. Ratufa indica Indian Giant Squirrel II LC 19. Rousettus leschenaulti Fulvous Fruit Bat V LC 20. Sus scrofa Indian Wild Boar III LC 21. Vendeleuria oleracea Long-tailed Tree Mouse V DD 22. Viverricula indica Small Indian Civet II LC 23. Vulpes bengalensis Indian Fox II LC Avian Fauna (Birds) IUCN S. No English Name Scientific Name Schedule Status (WPA,1972) Status 1 Acridotheres fuscus Jungle Myna IV LC 2 Acridotheres tristis Common Myna IV LC 3 Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed Warbler IV LC 4 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher IV LC 5 Apus nipalensis House Swift IV LC 6 Athene brama Spotted Owlet IV LC 7 Carpodacus erythrinus Common Rose finch IV LC 8 Cinnyrisa siaticus Purple Sunbird IV LC 9 Columba livia Rock Pigeon IV LC 10 Corvus macrorhynchos Jungle Crow IV LC 11 Corvus splendens House Crow IV LC 12 Coturnix coturnix Common Quail IV LC 13 Delichon dasypus Asian House Martin IV LC 14 Dicrurus macrocercus Black Drongo IV LC 15 Gallus gallus Red Jungle fowl IV LC 16 Megalaima haemacephala Coppersmith Barbet IV LC 17 Motacilla alba White Wagtail IV LC 18 Passer domesticus House Sparrow IV LC 19 Pavo cristatus Peafowl I LC 20 Perdicula asiatica Jungle Bush Quail IV LC 21 Psittacula eupatria Alexandrine Parakeet IV LC 22 Saroglossas piloptera Spot-winged Starling IV LC 23 Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove IV LC 24 Sturnus contra Asian Pied Starling IV LC 25 Terpsiphone paradisi Asian Paradise-flycatcher IV LC 26 Turdoides caudata Common Babbler IV LC 27 Turdoides striata Jungle Babbler IV LC 28 Upupa epops Common Hoopoe IV LC REPTILES SNAKES 1. Bungarus caeruleus Common Krait IV NA 2. Bungarus fasciatus Banded Krait IV NA 3. Naja naja Indian Cobra II LC 4. Ophiophagus hannah King Cobra II V 5 Ptyas mucosus Rat Snake II NA 6. Python molurus Indian Python I LC 7. Vipera ruselli Russel’s Viper II DD LIZARDS 1. Chameleon Chamelion calcarata II DD 2. Indian House Gecko Hemidactylus flaviviridus - DD 3. Rock Lizard Agama buberculatus - DD Turtle 1. Elongated tortoise Indotestudo elongata IV LC Source: GRC Survey Data supported by Department of Forest, Odisha & Chandaka WLS. IUCN Status: DD: Data Deficient, LC: Least Concern, VU: Vulnerable, NE: Not Evaluated, EN: Endangered, NT: Near Threatened.

3.4.2.2. Aquatic Fauna of buffer Zone Aquatic animals found in the different habitat in the study area are given in Table 3.9 to Table 3.12 Table: 3.9: Zooplankton species recorded form Mahanadi and others water bodies of buffer area Name of the Taxa Sl. No. Protozoa Sl. No. Copepoda 1 Arcella sp. 1 Cyclops sp. 2 Centropyxis sp. 2 Mesocyclops sp. 3 Difflugia sp. 3 Thermocylops sp. 4 Paramoecium sp. 4 Diaptomus sp. Rotifera 5 Nauplius larvae 1 Asplanchna brightwelli Cladocera 2 Brachionus angularis 1 Alona intermediate 3 Brachionus calciflorus 2 Bosmina sp. 4 Brachionus falcatus 3 Bosmina longirostris 5 Brachionus sp. 4 Chydorus sp. 6 Cephlodella gibba 5 Daphnia sp. 7 Filinia longiseta 6 Daphnia pulex 8 Keratella cochlearis 7 Diaphanosoma excisum 9 Keratella tropica Ostracoda 10 Lecane closterocera 1 Cypris sp. 11 Lecane luna 2 Stenocypris sp. Source: GRC Survey Data

Table: 3.10: Macro-invertebrates species recorded form Mahanadi and others water bodies of buffer area

Name of the Groups Name of the Taxa Corbicula sp. Corbicula striata Gyraulus sp. Mollusca Lamellidens sp. Melanoides scabra Thira tuberculata Chironomus sp. Diptera Chironomus plumosus Tendipes kiefferulus Dero dagitata Oligochaete Pheretima sp. Tubifex tubifex Gammarus pulex Crustacea Palemone sp. Glossosoma sp. Trichoptera Hydropsyche sp. Baetis nymph Ephemeroptera Caenis runlorum Source: GRC Survey Data

Table: 3.11: Amphibian Species found in the Buffer Zone Schedule / IUCN Sl. No. Common name Scientific name WPA,1972 Status 1 Common Indian toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus IV NA 2 Indian skipper frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis IV NA 3 Indian bull frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus IV NA Source: GRC Survey Data supported by Department of Forest, Odisha

Table-3.12: Fish Species Found in Mahanadi River and other water bodies situated in the Buffer Zone

Order / Family Scientific Name IUCN Status Order- Beloniformes Family: Belonidae Xenentodon cancila LC Order- Cyprinidontiforms Family: Aplocheilidae Aplocheilus panchax DD Catla catla LC Family: Cyprinidae Puntius chola LC Puntius ticto LC Puntius sarana LC Labeo bata LC Labeo rohita LC Order- Decapoda Family- Palaemonidae Macrobrachium malcomsoni LC Order- Clupeiformes Family: Clupeidae Gudusia chapra LC Order- Perciformes Family: Ambassidae Chanda sp. LC Family: Channidae Channa sp. LC Order- Siluriformes Mystus sp. LC Family: Bagridae Mystus tengara LC Family: Heteropneustidae Heteropneustes fossilis LC Family: Bagridae Mystus cavasius LC Source: GRC survey data and Data supported by Dept. of Fisheries, Odisha

3.5. Occurrence of Schedule-I and Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) Species

During the present investigation, plants species of under the RET category has not been observed in buffer area of Mani Tirumala Hosing Project. Among fauna of the study area, schedule-I species such Elephas maximum, Panthera pardus, Pavo cristatus and Python molurus were recorded from the buffer zone and for them conservation plan has been prepared and attaches with the EIA report. However, all care will be taken for protection of others flora & fauna also, if any in the lease hold area.