GOVERNMENTOF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBULCOF BANGLADESH ROADS AND HIGHWAYSDEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF ENGINE SARAK BHABAN, RAMNA, DHAKA

Public Disclosure Authorized )ETAILED ENGINEERING, PREPARATION OF BID DOCUMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND RESETTLEMENT PLAN OF

NALKA - HATIKAMRUL - BONPARA

Public Disclosure Authorized NEW ROAD Public Disclosure Authorized E-236 VOL. 6 DETAILED ENVIRONMENIAL STUDY part 3

Environmental Baseline Survey Public Disclosure Authorized

DECEMBER 1996

DHV Consultants BV Consulting Engineering Services (India) Pvt., Ltd. The Netherlands DevelopmentDesign Consultants Ltd., Bangladesh in assoc=anonwh Desh UpodeshLtd., Bangladesh, DHV CES DDC DUL The Governmentof the People's Republic of Bangladesh

NALKA - HATKAMRUL - BONPARA NEW ROAD

Loan Agreement 2638 BD

DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY

Part 1 Executive Summary Part 2 Socio-EconomicSurvey Part 2a Appendices Socio-EconomicSurvey Part 3 BASE LINE SURVEY Part 4 ResettlementIssues Part 5 EnvironmentalManagement and MonitoringPlan Part 5a Air Pollution Assessment Part 5b Noise PollutionAssessment

Subject Detailed EnvironmentalStudy File K4008.01.001 Date December 1996 Status Version 1 Our reference NHB/LJW/DES.VR1 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AASHTO American Association of HiglhwayTechnical Officers BAFRU BangladeshAquaculture and FisheriesResources Unit / ODA BBS BangladeshBureau of Statistics BDT Bangladeshi Thaka BRAC Bangladesh Rural AdvancementCommittee CIECC China InternationalEngineering Consulting Corporation CL Centre Line DC Deputy Commissioner DCP DynamicCone Penetrometer EIA EnvironmentalImpact Assessment EMAP EnvironmentalManagement Plan EP Entitled Person ERR Economic Rate of Return FAP Flood Action Plan FCD Flood Control and Drainage FCDI Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation HFL High Flood Level HYV High Yield Variety IDA InternationalDevelopment Association LGED Local Government EngineeringDepartment MPO Muriate Potash (K20 - fertiliser) NGO Non-GovernmentalOrganisation NHBNR Nalka - Hatikamrul - BonparaNew Road NW North West OC Officer in Charge OD Operational Directive (of World Bank) PAP(s) Project Affected Person(s) RAP ResettlementAction Plan RHD Roads and Highways Department ROW Right Of Way RRMP2 Second Road Rehabilitationand MaintenanceProject SWMC Surface Water Modelling Centre ToR - Termnsof Reference TSP Triple Super Phosphate (P205) US$ United States Dollars WB World Bank

I ha = 2.47acres = 247decimals

Monetaryvalues are expressedin BDT (BangladeshiThaka). Where applicable, US$-equivalents are given,using an exchangerate of BDT42 per US$ 1.00as per September1996. i ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDY

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

1. Introduction 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 Terms of Referenceand Objectives 3 1.3 Scope of Survey 4 1.4 Boundariesof Investigationand Definitionof Project Area 5 1.5 Approachand Methodologies 6 1.5.1 Ecological Information 7 1.5.2 Socio-economicInformation 9

2. Natural Physical Environment 12 2.1 Topography 12 2.2 Soil Conditions 12 2.2.1 MorphogeneticFeatures 12 2.2.2 Physical Soil Characteristics 13 2.2.3 Chemical Properties 13 2.3 Climatic Conditions 14 2.4 Hydrology 17 2.4.1 Rivers and Channels 17 2.4.2 Drainage 19 2.4.3 Groundwater 20 2.4.4 Wave run-up 21

3. Natural Biological Environment 22 3.1 Terrestrial Environment 22 3.1.1 Flora 22 3.1.2 Wildlife 23 3.1.3 Identification of Key Habitatsalong the Route Corridor 23 3.2 Aquatic and Semi-AquaticHabitats 26 3.2.1 Flora 26 3.2.2 Fauna 26 3.3 Fishing Areas and Fishponds 28 3.4 Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Habitats, with Special reference to the 29 Remaining Chalan Beel Wetlands DHV ConsultantsBV

4. Socio - Economic Conditions 31 4.1 Demographic Features 31 4.2 Religion and Education 33 4.3 Utilities 34 4.3.1 Administration and Services 34 4.3.2 Communication and Market Conditions 34 4.3.3 Water Supply 36 4.3.4 Sanitation and Public Health 37 4.3.5 Electric Supply 37 4.4 Land Use 37 4.4.1 Holding Size and Distribution of Landownership 37 4.4.2 Land Rent 38 4.4.3 Land in Use 40 4.5 Other Assets 41 4.6 Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries 42 4.6.1 Crop Culture 42 4.6.2 Tree Crops and Use of Natural Plants 45 4.6.3 Animal Husbandry 46 4.6.4 Capture Fisheries 46 4.6.5 Culture Fisheries 54 4.7 Small-Scale Rural Industries and Products 55 4.8 Cultural properties and Sites of Religious Significance 56

Annex A List of Agenciesand InstitutionsContacted for this Project Work

Annex B Maps Consulted

Annex C List of Plants and Animals Encounteredin the ProjectArea

Annex D Reference List

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ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDY

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Roads and Highways Department has undertakenthe Detailed Engineering,Preparation of Bid Documents,Environmental Impact Assessmentand ResettlementPlan of the Nalka - Hatikamrul - Bonpara (NHB) New Road under financing of the IDA. The contract for detailed engineering design based on a comprehensiveanalysis of the possible environmental impacts*)and elaboration of an EnvironmentalManagement Plan (EMAP) was awarded by the RHD to DHV Consultants BV (The Netherlands), in association with Consulting Engineering Services Pvt Ltd (India), DevelopmentDesign Consultants Ltd (Bangladesh)and Desh Upodesh Ltd (Bangladesh).

Prior to the detailed engineering design a preliminarybaseline study was carried out in 1993 to test the feasibility of the project. The former study also incorporated the assessment of the impact of four alignment choices, along which the baseline conditions were recorded. Due to time and personnel constraints, the features described and the assessment relied mainly on secondary sources with some field work inputs (CIECC,Vol.2, 1993). The Feasibility Study recommendeda more detailed field investigation,including a comprehensiveEIA and a mitigation plan.

1.2 Terms of Reference and Objectives

A detailed environmental study of the planned construcition,concerning environmental and resettlement issues, to be undertaken in accordancewith WB Operational Directives4.30 and 4.01, is included in the ToR and constitutes an integrated part of the detailed engineering design. This baseline survey is designed to meet the requirements as basis for a comprehensive EIA and elaboration of an Environmental Management Plan, including the ToR for a Resettlement Action Plan.

Because of the planned construction of NHB new road a variety of ecologically important habitats will be affected, and land will have to be expropriated and people displaced. The Project is therefore likely to cause serious environmental,social and economic problems. It is the policy of the WB to absolutely minimise both adverse environmental effects and the involuntary resettlement of people. As for the first, the Project needs to ensure that the key physiographic and biological components will maintain to the maximum possible their ecological function, and wherever possible, to incorporateenvironmental enhancement features in the Project's design. As for the latter, the Project should be designedto provide the project affected persons (PAPs) with the means to improve, or at least restore, their former living standards, earning capacity and production levels. Where the displacement of PAPs can not be avoided a detailed resettlement plan, includinga timetable and budget, is required.

*) TheProject is classifiedby WORLDBANK as a CategoryA project,requiring a full EIA as partof fundingconditions

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Followingthis overall rationale,the ecologicalbaseline survey serves the following objectives: - providing an overview of the bio-physicalcharacteristics of the ProjectArea; - describe the ecological functionof key habitats, refenringto their biodiversityvalues; - analyse the particular hydraulic features of the floodplain, and identify measures to mitigate the effects of floodingand drainage associatedwith thteNHBNR project; - describing the nature and uses of the natural resources, and how theses uses are associated with the PAP; - investigating key habitats with respect to their sensitivity towards environmental impacts, particularly to define the degree of susceptibilityagainst excavationactivities; - analyse the biological and ecological properties of plant and animal species that will, in one way or another, play a role in implementingthe EMAP.

The socio-economicsample survey serves the purposes of. - providing a broad overview of the characteristics of direct PAPs, their numbers and composition,their occupation,income, assets and resourcesetc; - estimatingthe magnitudeof displacementof people,how many households are affected; - being a directive for the proper planning, budgeting and implementationof the PAP census to be done by the NGO to be appointed; - determiningtypical PAP categories for RAP implementation; - to make a first assessment of measures to be taken to off set resettlement draw backs faced by the PAPs and to group these measures into packages; - providing the elementary data on households,land and structures for the preparationof a cost estimate for the RAP.

1.3 Scope of Survey

The scope of the baseline survey undertaken corresponds to the purpose and the objectives of this Project as explained above. '

The ecological survey data have been compiled to serve as basis for drafting the Environmental Management Plan EMAP, which delineates, among others, the proposed mitigation measures and environmentalmonitoring activities.Part of the EMAP is linked to the detailed engineering design of the road, particularly the borrowpits, reshaping constrmctionsites and the modifying the areas for resettling the PAPs. The in-depth of the ecological data analysis for this baseline survey has been adjusted to the actual need for conducting a comprehensive impact assessment wherever necessary. Notably the compilation,analysis and presentationof bio-physicaldata do not represent a scientific quantitative investigation of, e.g. physiographic, edaphic, faunistic or botanical features of the Project Area. For the sake of the project the information obtained must be regarded as instrumental while conducting the EIA according to V1B/OD 4.01, with reasonable degree of significance and confidence,and above all, for elaboratingthe EMAP.

The socio-economic survey has been executed as a preparationfor the drafting of the ToR for the RAP. To meet this requirement,a socio-economicsample survey has been conducted among direct land users of affected plots. These are the plots that are located partially or completely within the right of way of NHB new road. The team is aware that the sample used for this survey does not fully reflect all PAP categories. For example (casual) labourers and uthulis were not included in the total population from which the sample was drawn. Nevertheless the sample as used in this survey provides sufficient ground for the purposes of this survey.

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The present socio-economic sample survey has been worked out to prepare for the PAPs census the survey. All work has been executed in the spirit outlined in WBIOD4.30. The main points to be stressed here include that the sample survey is a preparatory investigationfor the PAPs census and that due to the investigativenature of the sample survey only direct PAPs (viz. 'land' affected) have been interviewed.

The magnitude and scope of all field surveys in line with this Baseline Study have been seriously influencedand/or hampered by external factors. These include, among others, the notorious hartal strikes faced by the country in the first quarter of 1996, which delayed the commencement and made reasonable manpower planning very difficult. The delay was particularly felt with the approach of the monsoon season which then put great pressure on the single survey teams, and made it virtually impossible to continue with some of the activities planned (e.g. biological site investigations,soil surveys, interviewsetc.). Furthermore contact between project headquarters in Dhaka and the respective teams in the field were often difficult and time consuming. Due to this data processing largely had to take place after conducting of interviewswas completed.

1.4 Boundaries of Investigation and Definition of Project Area

The Project Area is part of the North West Region of Bangladesh. Basically, the Project Area is defined as the area in which the ROW is situated along the cleterminedalignment. The road has a length of approximately 54 km and is planned to connect the west bank approach of the Jamuna Bridge. From Nalka to Hatikamrul (4 km) the road will be rehabilitated only, following the existing alignment. The section from Hatikamrulto Bonpara (50 km) will be a new construction.

The Project Area is also defined as the area which will be directly affected by the road project, be it during construction or during operation period. Depencling on the parameter analysed, the project has direct and indirect influences and impacts on a area left and right to the ROW at varying degree and intensity. Accordingly, the Project Area's boundaries and corridors of influence have to be seen in the context of each of the investigatedparameters. As for this baseline survey (and subsequently the area investigated for impact assessment), different boundaries/ corridors have been chosen followingthe criteria outlined in the following table:

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Table 1.4.1 Corridors selected,main elements studied and tools applied to conduct the Baseline EnvironmentalSurvey associatedwith NHBNR Project

Features to Corridor Focal elements hlajor tool of Remarks(on choice of investigate to CL investigated investigation corridor) landtypes, profiles, physiographicanalysis, dependingon local complexity Topography 5 -15 geomorphology maps ,...... I...... sedimentdevelopment soil inspection,tests, identificationof suitablefill and Soils 2 -5 soilproperties laboratoryanalysis borrowpits ...... meteorologicaland dataretrieval from dependingon locationof Climate/Hydrology 5 -150 hydrologicaldata meteorol.stations,maps meteorological stations ...... r...... --...... -...... -- ...... tdyi;u;cMdein expectedHFL and executedby HydraulicModelling HydraulicRegime 0.1- 250 flood& drainage floodingevents,maps Study /SWMC ...... I...... I...... ecologicalniches, rapidappraisal, cumula- intensityand range variable Key Habitatsand 0.1- 2 biodiversityof specific lativetbansects, identi- accordingto ecol.complexity; Biota biota,usefui plants and ficationguides, literature where necessary, comparative ...... animals maps studiesoutside corridor waterquality, fish interviewsand focusingon ponds affected by Fishponds 0.1 - 1 production,constraints questicnnaires,records the project ...... I...... ecologicalfunction viz. comparativeobservation ChalanBeel n.a. degreeof degradation literaturereview mostlyoutside Project Area householdbiodata, age, records,interviews and Demography 2 sex,education, religion questionnaires,maps focusingon PAPs ...... '...... Utilities 2 administration,roadnet, questionnaires,inter- markets,water supply, viewsliterature, legal focusingon PAPs ...... sanitation,public health acts,records, maps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...... !_...... :! ...... Landuse 1 tenuretypes, holding size, questionn./, interviews foc records,maps usingon PAPs ,...... I.... .rental...... literature, ...... non-movablehousehold interviews and Assets 1 assets questionnaires focusing on PAPs Agriculture, cropculture, plant use, interviewsand ...... Fisheries ...... 1-5 ...... r...... livestock,m :_...... fisheriesp...... s.g.e...... questionnaires...... focusing...... on PAPs ...... Rural industries 1 transport questioi,naires focusing on PAPs Cultural Sites 0.5 religious/archaeological field inspectionand CulturalSites 0.5 sitesto beprotected interviews,records to be avoidedby project

1.5 Approach and Methodologies

As described in table 1.4.1 the tools and methodologies applied in the different disciplines varied according to the features studies. The following section gives a brief account on specific methods and analytical approaches that have been employed during this survey. A list of the institutions contacted for obtaining secondary data and information is given in Annex A. As for the consultation of literature, statistical material, records and other project related documentation, reference is made to Annex D.

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1.5.1 Ecological Information

a) TopographicReconnaissance and Map Studies

Topographic inspections and descriptions were integrated in most surveys undertaken in the Project Area by different teams, e.g. for hydrological, soil, ecological, fisheries and faunistic studies. For preparing the field surveys and for assessment of the respective parameters, extensive map studies were included. The maps consulted for this project are detailed in Annex B, describing the types/categoriesof maps, scale, publication,and major features displayed on these maps.

The survey team generated its own maps of 1:1000 scale alongside 500 m of the selected road alignment, indicating types and dimensions of public buildings, marketplaces, homesteads, squatters, small industries, brick fields, cultural sites, mosques, graveyards, roads, bridges, culverts, embankments, electric lines, tubewells, rivers, navigation structures, khals, beels, crop cultures, horticulture,bamboo groves, plantations,fishponds, borrowpitsand fishing grounds.

These maps served as basis for assessing i) the main ecological features and their functional importance,ii) the potential impactsthat may be caused later by the NHBNR project (see EIA and EMAP Report).

b) Assessment of Key Habitats and Biota

Key habitats were identified in the field according to their physical differentiation against neighboring habitats, their specific and typical composition of fauna and flora, and their homogeneity in terms of ecological functions. The plant and animal resources were noted as encountered by visual inspection, or verified according to verbal accounts of the local people interviewed.

Plant and animal species were identified as much as possible in the field, utilising both the expertise of the surveying expert and taxonomic guides. Common bird watching tools were used without trapping the animals. For fish species, a good deal of information was obtained by accounts given by local fishermnen,using the local names listed in Annex C. Unidentifyable plant species were collected, dried between blotting paper and identifiedlater in the Ecology Herbarium, Dept. of Botany, University of Dhaka. Wherever applicable and possible, their abundance was assessed by the observer, using a rather crude scale (e.g. abundant, common, fairly common, rare) to avoid over-or underestimation in case comparative accounts of other observers were to be included.

Whenever applicable, the usage of a plant or animals for commercial or food purposes was noted. Emphasis was laid to identify plant species which could suitably be used for embankment plantation and protection.

The lists of species mentionedhereunder, based on non-systematicinspections of key habitats during various field surveys, are far from being comprehensive; they should rather be understood as illustrationof the relative species' richnesswhich can be observed in certain micro-habitatsalong the corridorof NHBNR

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c) Soil Survey, Sampling and Sample Processing

To determinethe physical soil characteristicssuch as composition,soil type, grain size, texture and plasticitythe samples were taken at pre-defineddistances along the proposed alignment, depending on the nature of analysis.

At first the field bearing capacity was determined by DCP (Dynamic Cone Penetrometer)testing until a depth of 3 meter. These DCPs were executedin pairs at 500 m interval.At the same location sampleswere collectedby auger boringto definethe soil characteristicsof each encountered layer. In places where the DCP-result shown low bearing capacity, undisturbed samples were procured to definethe consolidationof the subsoilby oedometertesting.

For bridge and culvert foundationsboring was performed until a depth of 30 m below the existing groundlevel in orderto provide informationon subsoil layers.In additionpossible borrow areas were defined first by visual inspection, and later specific samples were taken (totalling 120) and analysed with respectto their suitabilityfor claddingmaterial.

The chemical analyses of soil samples were performed in the Ecology Laboratory of the Dept. of Botany,Univ. of Dhaka. First, soil sampleswere extractedwith normalammonium acetate at pH 7.0 for exchangeablecations. The technique applied followed the methodologyprovided by literature (Nazrul-lslam& Rorison, 1978).Sodium and potassiumwere analysed with a flame photometer.The calcium contentwas measuredwith an atomic absorptionspectrophotometer. d) HydrologicalData

Data were collected to determine the flood profile and flood flows in order to identify provisionally the dimensionof bridgesand culverts.The data will be analysed to determine(I) the design flow past the channels , and (ii) the flood elevationalong the longitudinalprofile of the road. Inside the Project Area and within its zone of influence the following hydrometric stations are situated which have been considered in the analytical work conductedunder this; survey.

Hydrol.Network Water Leveland RainfallRecording StationNo. DischargeMeasuring Stations Station 147.0 AtraiRailway Bridge Atrai 147.5 Singra Singra 149.5 GumaniRailway Bridge Rajganj 11.0 Khanpur Sirajgan; 66.0 Ullapara Ullapara 313.0 NanguraRailway Bridge Tarash 171.0 BoralRailway Bridge Gurudaspur 148.0 Chankoir Natore 149.0 Ashtamonisha Joari 150.0 DohakolaDanga 151.0 Baghabari 50.3 Mathura

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In order to determinethe design parametersfor the road embankmentand drainageoutlets, a two way approach was adopted. (i) The conventional hydrologic study using available water level and streamflow data, conducting frequency analysis and detennination of design flood level and dischargeand (ii) Modelingstudy of the area as hydrologyof the area is very complex and different flood flow scenarios are to be addressed.For modeling study the Surface Water Modeling Center (SWMC) under the Ministry of Water Resourceswas approached who performed the study as a subcontract.

In general,the design parameterscomputed by the conventionalstudy gave higher values compared to those computedby the model study. Consideringthe versati!lityof the model using a vast database, its power to handle a wide range of data and simulate the condition,the results computed by the model is more acceptablethan those obtainedby the conventionalstudy.

The Hydraulic Modelling Study (see separateReport) involvedallows the assessment of impact of the proposed road and determinationof the drainage opening requirementand also quantitative predictionsof changesin flow patterns and flood levelsfor variousflood scenarios.

1.5.2 Socio-economicInformation

a) Questionnaires

For the purpose of this socio-economicsample survey a specific, single survey questionnaire has been designed by the Consultants. Its details are specified in the Report 'Socio-economic Survey of direct PAPs'. The interviewedperson always was the direct land user. Thus, the data obtained rendered a complete information on tenant/cultivator households as well as the percentage of currently leased out land. This enables the Consultants to get an overview of the PAPs and to judge the extent to which tenant/cultivatorsare affected by the project.

TIhequestionnaire is subdivided in 18 subsections, dealing with different aspects of resettlement issues, such as identification of enumerator, plot and interviewed,family data, land ownership and tenure, water and electricity supply, sanitary facilities, land cultivation, fish farming activities, household income and occupation, crops procurement, loans & credit, urgent needs, food for works programmes,union parishad tax, overall economic performanceand resettlement concerns.

A crew of supervisors and interviewerswith a university background in sociology and/or economy was selected, recruited and trained to perform the interviews. All supervisorsand interviewershad prior experience in conducting socio-economic interviews. Each interviewer had one local assistant assigned. Preferencewas given to local assistants, because they have specific knowledge of the area, its inhabitants and local idioms. The local assistant acted more as guides than as interviewers.

Prior to the present sample survey the consultants have implemented a pre-survey among affected homesteads in May 1996. The affected households number 118, out of which 28 have been interviewed in the pre-survey.

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b) Sampling

The selection of the sampling method and the sample size were based on the availability of a sample frame, the time and budget available, the expected variability of the population and the objectives of the survey. As sample frame the list of partially and fully affected plots has been used. This list was derived from the Mouza maps as available to the Consultants. Though these maps may not provide the most accurate information regarding land holdings (due to plot fragmentation)and though it may result difficult to verify ownership in the field, this was the best sample frame available. An up to date list of plots affected and their owners is included in the land acquisitionplan. The plan was issued after completion oiFthissurvey.

The sample frame for this survey excluded all PAPs who do not own land by themselves, such as there are (casual) labourers in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors and squatters/uthulis. However,due to the nature of this project and the objectives of the survey the impact of excluding these groups is considered of limited importance. The existing road segment (from Nalka to Hatikamrul) was not taken into consideration as that part of NHB new road will be reconstructed using almost the same ROW as the existing road does.

Within the mentionedrequirements and constraints a sarnple of 120 objects was prepared from the sample frame. The sample frame consisted of the list of affected plots derived from the Mouza maps as registered in 1971-75.The total plot population is estimated at 3,000 plots. However,this figure may very well increasedue to progressingplot division. To stay ahead of the monsoonor in case the monsoon was to 'overtake' the interview teams the Consultants opted for selecting segments of the alignment of the NHBNR crossing existing embankments. These segments comprise one km of the new road alignment east and west of the existing embankment. Ten of such segments have been selected from which the sample has been prepared, taking into account the above mentioned issues. For every segment the numnberof affected plots was counted. From every segment twelve plots were selected for the sample. The number of plots in each segment was divided by twelve, the result rounded off and called x. Then every x item in the sample frame of that segment was then selected for the sample, starting from the existing embankment. Subsequently every (x+l)th item was selected as the first altemative for the sample. By adopting this method the Consultants secured maximum accessibilityof the survey area and data.

It is acknowledgedthat this procedure favours the more intensively cultivated and expensive plots that are situated closer to the existing embankments.Nevertheless for the purpose of planning the resettlement budget it is better to slightlyover than under estimate the cost involved.

For the pre-survey of affected homesteads a separate sample was prepared, consisting of 28 objects out of a total populationof 118.

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c) Interviews

Prior to the interviews every time a plot and land user identifiicationprocedure took place, done by the supervisor. Plots were identified from the Mouza maps and located in the field by comparing shape and size of plots with the Mouza map. After identificating a plot and contacting the respective land user the supervisor filled out the questionnaire This was later handed over to an enumerator, who would conduct the remainder of the interview. All interviews were conducted in Bangla by native speakers.

As for the fisheries survey, similar intrviews were conducted to obtain information on capture methods, time devoted for this activity and yields per fishermnanhousehold. Substantial information on floodplain catch fisheries and on fishpond operation in the NW Region was obtained in discussions with experts from BAFRU, IFADEP and Joyshagar Fish Farm (Neemgachi).

d) Data Processingand Analysis

The interviews have been processed on computer, utilising spread sheet techniques. A number of analytical tools were applied, complex formnulason aggregate data and cross checks have been built into the spreadsheet. Questionnaireand interviews were coded after the original (uncoded) data were processed. For every kind of data collected a number of statistical values were calculatedwere relevant. These values include: - the sum over all interviews; - the number of interviewswith response; - the fraction of interviews with response; - the average over the interviews with response; - the average over all interviews; - the minimum response; - the maximum response; - the sample standard deviation over the interviews with response.

In a number of cases also data from two questions of the questionnairewere compared to detect a correlation between them if any. Wherever relevant the mode of a data set was calculated next to average, maximum and minimum values. The analysis methods mentionedhave also been applied to aggregated data.

Besidesthe information made available from the sample survey and the pre-surveya number other information resources has been used in this report. The use of informationfrom different resources serves the purpose of cross checking, making assumptions and aggregating information -to more useful data. The information sources used (and accordingly quoted) include, among others, statistical yearbooks of Bangladesh, the Jamuna bridge socio-economic survey, the feasibility study of NHB new road and various inside project information.

In face of the lack of primary fisheries datathis report had to rely, apart from household interwiew results, on the field assessmentof fisheriesexperts working in that area, namelythose quoted in the previous section. Some data from the preliminary survey conducted by CIECC (1993) were also taken into account as much as they were relevant.

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2. Natural Physical Environment

2.1 Topography

The ProjectArea is located between24°-14" N latitude to 241-30"N latitudeand 89°-07"Elongitude to 89°-42" E longitude.Basically, the Nalka-Hatikamrul-BoniparaNew Road (NHBNR) traverses a vast floodplain which is diverse in relief, hydraulic features and soils. The area consists of the confluencebasin formed by the two main rivers, the Jamuna to the East and Ganges (Padma) to the South-West(Fig. 2.1). The entire terrain slopes gently from the North/North-Westto South-East.The averagerange of altitude is between 12 and 7 m abovemean sea level.

The rivers traversingthe floodplainhave changed course over time, leaving behind them a landscape of small elevations (former levees) and depressions (beels, khals). Consequently, there is considerablecomplexity in the topographicmicro-relief (up to 3 m), physiography,sediments, soil types, and flooding characteristics which have pronounced effects on the local agriculture and fisheries.

Physiographically,the basic East-Westdivision of the Project Area is between the Barind and the Alluvialtracts. The boundarybetween these two physiographicunits is about the course of the Atrai River in the Project Area. The first, extending in the Lower Atrai Basin) is composed of numerous watercourses (e.g. Atrai, Mora Boral).This area is deeply flooded (1.5 to 5 m) during monsoon ("Green River"); it also receivesbackwater flooding from the confluencebetween the Ganges and the Jamuna. The latter physiographicunit comprises alluvial lowlands along the Ganges and Jarnuna, being of broadridges and basinswith some flooded deep during the monsoonperiod.

2.2 Soil Conditions

2.2.1 MorphogeneticFeatures

The soils of NHBNR area are formed predominantly deposited during the alluvial events associated with the Ganges, Teesta (Atrai) and Jamuna river systems. They are classified as relatively uniform non-calcareous dark gray floodplain soils. The soil environment experiences constant changes by influx and outflux of sediments during the flood season.

The soil along the NHBNR alignment indicate deposition patterns at various degrees. While the eastern part of the Project Area belongs to the relative young floodplain of the Jamuna, the soil formation of the central and western parts are characteristically older floodplains. Due to the seasonal flooding of most of the area the overall topsoil is highly fertile and crop yielding.

The younger floodplain has stratified sands and silts with little or no clay; such soils have profiles in which stratification has broken up and soil characteristics develop up to a depth of about 30-70 cm overlying stratified alluvium. However, except in relative sandy materials (e.g. in old river beds and khals like the Juri-Juri) stratification has been completely broken up in the subsoil, and structure, coatings and mottles have developed. There exist some areas of less-developedsoils on recent spill deposits adjoining channels, and also on the few sandy ridges (e.g. eastern banks of Kaludaha River section). The development of soils ranges from grayish silt loams on the ridge tops to gray silty loams on the Medium Lowland level and margins of the main depressions, and to gray silty clays within the depressions.

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The Older Floodplain (stretching between km 34 and km 54 of the NHBNR) generally has a smooth ridge and basin landscapewith more mature soils than are found in the younger floodplain area to the East. The soil series developed in this area indicate a similar range in texture from silty brownish loams on old ridges to heavy dark gray clay or a mix of clay and silt in basins. Structure, coatings and mottles are stronglyexpressed. Topsoils are less dark than in the younger floodplain.

2.2.2 Physical Soil Characteristics

Soil conditions are largely influencedby well-expressed flooding patterns. Large portions of the Central region (approximately 15-18 km, Kuchier Beel, Dobirgonj Mouza, and 25-30 km, Hamkuria - Nimaicharai Khal - Chalan Beel) remain wet almost eight months per year. Soil permeability is low, especially once the soils are wet; and cracks close and moisture capacity is low.

As the soil conditionsvary per flooding conditions,these different origins are shown in the deposits from sedimentation.From Ch 0 till Ch.4+000the area is frequently flooded by the Karatoa and especiallywhen a breakthroughfrom the Jamuna into the Karatoaoccurs. This leaves a grey silty soil with a relative low clay contentand are mainlyA-4 (classificationaccording to AASHTO)

The area from CH 4+000 till Ch 15+000is part of the KaludahaRiver Basin. The Kaludaha River finds its origin in the Karatoa river and the Fuljuri River which both originatefrom the Teesta Basin. The likely event of a breakthroughof the Jamuna River causes strong flooding in this area, accompaniedby heavy sedimentationof silty material.

The soil pattern in the top layers is a mixtureof sedimentationof Teesta and Jamuna material being clayey for the Teesta deposits and silty for the Jamuna deposits. At Ch. 4+000 the influence of Jamuna deposits is relativelyhigh with the Teesta depositsgaining more influencetowards the east. Sand depositsoccur in old river beds and have the typical light-browncolour of Teesta soils. Soils are mainlyclassified under A-4 as silty soilswith clay layiersclassified under A-6 and A-7-6.

The area from Ch 15+000 till Ch 30+000 is part of the Atrai River basin and shows different sedimentationof clayey silt and clay with traces of silt and can be classified as A-4 and A-617 respectively.

The area from Ch 30+000 till Ch 55+000 is part of the Boral River basin. The Boral River, now a dead river, originatedfrom the Padma River and soils have as such a different origin. The soils are mainly heavy clays with some silt deposits. The clays are classified under A-6/7 and the silts under A-4.

2.2.3 Chemical Properties

The soil condition must also be seen in the context of its ecological function not only as a medium in which plants grow but also as a structure in which many chemical changes take place - most of them due to the current agriculture practices.. At present farmers use high dosages of fertilizers and agro-pesticides to increase the crop productivity. Seasonal flooding and decomposition of aquatic macrophytes add substantial amount of organic matter (particularly in the Beel and low- lying area) in the soil environment. Organic matter contents are generally low (<1.5%) in the

EnvironmentalBaseline Survey 13 October1996 C: \ EIA \ BASELINE.DOC DHVConsultants BV cultivated layer of ridge soils but are somewhat higher (up to 2.5%) in basin soils. Top soils are slightly acidic in nature. Soil samples were collectedfrom various locations of NHBNR alignment and their pH, conductivity and exchangeable ion contents were analysed. The results are given in Table 2.2.3.1. The result shows that soils had a pH range from 6.2 to 6.9. Conductivity ranges from 20 to 110 micro-ohms/cm,and the soil is prevailinglycalcareous.

Table 2.2.3.1. pH, exchangeablecations and conductivity(micro-ohms/cm) in soils of NHBNR alignment

Sample Location Chainage ExchangeableIons (pg/g) pH Conductivity No (km) Na K Ca micro-ohmstcm 1 Golakpur 4- 5 94 85 1800 6.4 38.5 2* Dobirganj 14 - 15 75 80 1650 6.2 18.5 3 Khaikula 17 -18 110 87 1800 6.4 108.0 4 Roina 42 - 43 95 85 1800 6.4 43.0 5 Baraigram 47 - 48 78 85 1950 6.8 23.0 6 Bonpara 53 - 54 110 90 1950 6.8 108.0 *Kuchier Beel area.

More detailsabout soil types and characteristicsare given in the Soils and Materials Study.

23 Climatic Conditions

The climate of the area is tropical in nature.It is generallygoverned by the interactingair masses of the East-European,the ContinentalPolar Siberianand the Indian Ocean anticyclones.In general, four distinct seasonsare experiencedin the region in which the Project Area is located: The dry hot period prevails during the monthsMarch-May, the hot humidrainy seasonduring the months June - August. The autumn coveringthe months of September-Novemberand the winter comprisingthe months of December-February.The coldest month of the year is January while the hottest month is April. Lowest winter temperature sometimes go below 10°C whereas the highest temperature seldom reaches values above 400C.

The nearest station where climatological data are available are Rajshahi and Bogra. Table 2.3.1 shows monthlytemperature and humidity recordedin these stations for the year 1992,as well as lake evaporationrates for the NW Region.

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Table 2.3.1 Climatic Data Pertainingfor the Project Area

Monthly Rainfall (mm) SiraJganJMetso Station, 1967-91

400 350 300 250 200 / ~~~~~~150 100 50 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Maximnumand Minimum Air Temperature (dog C)

101 24 Sunshine (hoursldayj 20

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

AverageWind Speed (mhsec)

100

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

iMinimumand MaximumnRelative Humidity (%)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Sources: FAP-2 /VoI.1 (1994), B.B.S and M.P.O

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There are quite a few rainfall measuring stations in and around the Project Area. These station are maintainedby the BangladeshWater DevelopmentBoard (BWDB).Annual total rainfall for the past five years for eight stations are shown in table 2.3.2. Long time mean rainfall over the Project Area is 1650 mm as studied by M.P.O.The heavy monsoonrains, which begin in early June and continue to mid October,account for about 80% of the total rainfall. The relative humidityranges from a low of 75% in Februaryand March to a high of 85% in June, July, August and September.

Hailstormsare common during early summer. The monsoon comes late and is lighter and shorter than in other areas of the country. 80% of the annual rainfall occurs during the period May- September.From Novemberto April the area receivesbut little rain.

Table2.3.2 Annualrainfall (in mm) in the ProjectArea

St. Years Meanof the Project No. Stations Period Area

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 mean*

1 Atrai 1350 1845 986 1653 1138 1394 1650

2 Gurudaspur 1768 2022 1049 1557 913 1462

3 Natore 1652 2090 1012 1382 1238 1475

4 Raigonj 1790 2342 1252 1749 1089 1644

5 Sirajgonj 1843 2502 1720 1998 1335 1880

6 Singra 2403 2036 1270 1916 1869 1899

7 Tarash 1355 1561 882 1432 835 1213

8 Ullapara 1908 2347 1508 2322 1074 1832

* Source:M.P.O T.R 10, 1987

Both the mean monthly rainfall and number of rainy days in a month indicatethe degree of how wet the month is. Both factors will invariably be a crucial ifactor in planning and implementingthe constructionworks. Table 2.3.3 showsthe mean monthly rainfall and mean number of rainy days for the period 1990-1994for five stations of the Project Area.

The coastal area of Bangladesh is ravaged by cyclones due to formation of deep depressions in the Bay of Bengal. Accordingto meteorologicalreviews related to NHBNR, the Project Area is due to its distance not prone to the same violent cyclonesas experienced in the southern coastal parts of the country. Thesetype of cyclones generally hit Bangladeshcoast in the months of May-June and again in October-November.Fig 2.3.1 shows the wind speed isotach over Bangladesh. The cyclone is associatedwith heavy shower and tidal surge. Its severity is limited up to a distance of 50-60 km inland from the coast.

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Table 2.3.3 Five year mean monthly rainfall (in mm) and number of rainy days

Months Rainfall Name of Stations No. of rainy days Gurudaspur INatore Sirajgonj Singra Tarash January Rainfall 15.3 10.5 11.7 8.4 3.6 l______No. of rainy days 1 1 2 1 0 February Rainfall 6.8 15.3 174 8.6 26.2 l______No. of rainy days 2 3 4 3 1 March Rainfall 27.4 28.3 34.5 34.4 11.5 No. of rainy days 2 2 3 2 1 April Rainfall 68.7 51.8 86.3 68.2 46.1 No. of rainy days 3 5 6 5 3 May Rainfall 145.8 149.0 207.7 147.4 142.5 No. of rainy days 8 11 15 9 6 June Rainfall 311.1 289.0 318.3 297.0 235.9 No. of rainydays 11 14 17 12 12 July Rainfall 312.7 305.5 318.8 332.3 291.5 No. of rainy days 14 18 20 15 12 August Rainfall 321.1 292.8 318.2 215.9 106.1 No. of rainy days 11 _ 15 18 13 9 September Rainfall 272.9 249.7 245.8 222.7 210.0 No. of rainydays 11 15 18 12 9 October Rainfall 127.2 138.0 142.1 135.9 76.0 No. of rainy days 5 6 8 5 4 November Rainfall 24.6 17.0 16.1 22.3 3.0 No. of rainydays I 1 2 1 0 December Rainfall 11.1 2.5 2.3 3.3 18.0 No. of rainydays 0 1 1 0 1

2.4 Hydrology

2.4.1 River and Channel System

Within the Project Area the following are the main rivers and streams (Fig. 2.4.1), all flowing from northto south direction:

Thana Ullapara - Nao - Kaludaha Thana Tarash - Deo Bhog Thana Baraigram - Boral - Mora B3oral - Gur Thana Gurudaspur - Gumani - Naudaguja - Atrai

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In addition, there are a few dead canals and depressions which convey significant water masses during the flood season (monsoon period), namely the dead canals -and depressions in between Hatikamrulto Ambaria/Hamkuriahat (7 km south of Tarash). River morphologychanges often as a result of bank erosion,bed scour and/orsiltation.

The Atrai is the major river channelcrossing the road alignment.During rainy season it is used as an important waterway by both engine and hand/sail powered boats for transportationof goods and passengers as well. The Kaludaha is a distributor channel of the Bangali-Karatoa system. The Nimaicharakhal is a drainage canal dug by the BangladeshWater DevelopmentBoard for relief of drainage congestionin the area.The Old Boral is the dead course of the river Boral. The lowerpart of it acts also as a local drainage channel. The upper part from its junction with the Nandakuja up to Pabna-Natorehighway practically has no identificationas a river.

The Gur River is presumablyan anabranchof the Atrai River and the Nagar river is a distributor of the Atrai. Therefore, it is assumed that these rivers passing through the NHBNR alignment are either tributariesor anabranchesof the Atrai-Gumaniriver network.

Field observations during the rainy season show that Kaludaha river at Salanga flows strongly, with a marked erosion taking place on the left bank. The M[oraBoral lacks flow (near Baraigram) since in the upstream is closed by an embankment. Most rivers in the Project are almost dry up completely in the late winter, at least they cease their function as common navigation ways.

No primarydata were obtained about the physico-chemicalproperties of the waterbodiesencountered in the field, so only qualitativestatements can be made. Flowing rivers and channels are generally loaded with fine sediments (sand and silt), giving the water a brown-yellowcolor. Transparencyis accordinglylow. Salinity does not play a role in this region. Apparently the water quality is highly influencedby decomposingorganic matter which originatedfrom decaying plant material covering the inundatedplains. Agro-pesticidesand soil fertilizers have, according to studies relating to the North-West Province, substantial impacts on the quality of running waters, stagnant waters and groundwater.In addition, lack of sanitationincreases locally the occurrenceof pathogenicsubstances in the water. This holds particularlytrue for the end of the dry season when the relative concentration of these substancesconcentrates in the remainingwater bodies.

As the rivers usually carry heavy loads of silt during the flood season, light is preventedto penetrate deep which is essential for abundant growth of phytoplankton. Consequently,dissolved organic material, nitrogen and phosphate, are in higher concentrations in the permanent and/or stagnant waters (e.g. ponds) than in running surfacewaters.

2.4.2 Drainage

The major part of the river systems in the North West Region drain in the ChalanBeel. Furtherto the South rivers drain into the Jamuna throughthe Hurasagarwhich representsthe tail end of the Atrai- Boral-Karotoa-Bangalisystem.

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The water level of Jamuna rises first in the early part of the monsoon season, when levels in the Atrai-Boralsystem remain lower. As a result.Jamuna water backs up and flows upwards through the Hurasagarand reaches up to the lower partof the Chalan Beel. It is only when the Jamuna levels fall, the beel area gets the slope to drain throughthe system mentionedabove.

The new road will be oriented transverse, i.e. almost perpendicularlyto the main flow path. It will therefore have a considerable impact on the hydrology of the area. The hydraulic regime and drainage pattem of the area are complex as most of the land of the area falls under the land category of the deeply flooded to very deeply flooded class. Moreover,the high water level of Jamuna River exerts a thrustthrough the outfall of the Atrai system (Hurasagar)which impedes the drainage of the area. As a result, the area behaves like a lake in the early part of the monsoon.As indicated by the Hydraulic Modeling Study downwardflow becomes prominent only when the Jamuna level falls significantly.

Flood levels in the Rivers Ganges and Jamuna are often higher than internal river levels for long periods during the monsoon. As a result backwaterponding occurs in the adjacent basins, namely of the Lower Atrai. As in most of Bangladeshfloodplairis, the flooding and drainage pattern in the Project Area is already significantlyaffected by man made structures. Firstly there is a widespread net of rural roads (katcha roads) and rail embankments of varying height; secondly, polder schemes have been constructed to control flooding, but these have had the unforeseen consequence of increasingflood problems in some areas, e.g. near HamkurialAmbaria, where people breached 1988 the existing large embankment South of Tarash. Reportedly, people of these villages were dissatisfied with the extent of inundation which thev attributed to the establishment of this embankment..

Flooding is deeper in the southern part of the Project region. Here, the basins are moderately deeply or deeply flooded and ridges are shallowly flooded. The centers of these basin are subject to rapid flooding during heavy pre-monsoonand monsoon rain fall. In the Lower Atrai Basin (the westernmost part of the Project Area), unembankedareas are deeply and often rapidly flooded by heavy local rainfall, flash floods running off the Barincl Tract (See Fig 2.4.1) or floods coming down the Atrai river. The drainage of these basins is slow after the main rain comes to a halt (starting October/November)season, and basin centers remain commonly wet for most or all of the dry seasons.

2.4.3 Groundwater

The recharge of the aquifer in the Project Area is predominantlyfrom deep percolation of rain and flood water. The actual recharge is apparently much less than its potential, leading to substantial lowering of the seasonal water table (see Fig. 2.4.3.1). Reportedly the ground water level in the Project Area during the dry season has been going down 6" to 9" every year. The DPHE Thana office supplied their water level monitoring data which showed the maximum decline of 10.4" in Baraigram Thana. Possible causes for this decline are most likely the compound effects of reduced rainfall, pronounced droughts, increasedtemperature and reduction of river flow in the dry period. Apart from that it is widely assumed that the entire area also is affected by the general reduction of freshwater availability in the Southern part of NW Region due to the construction of Farraka Barrage (1974) on the River Ganges a few km off the India-Bangladeshborder, which reportedlyhas ever since lowered dramatically the groundwaterwater level in some of the areas that depend on water from the Ganges River.

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It must not be overlooked,however, that irrigation efforts have also drastically intensifiedduring the past years, and the 9 deep tube-wells and a vast number of shallow tube-wells along the project corridor clearly indicatethat trend which inevitablybears on the groundwaterresources.

2.4.4 Wave Run-Up

The project road will pass through the south-easternportion of the Chalan Beel depression.During monsoonperiod the area takes the shape of a large water body with depths varying between 2-5 m. High speed wind, particularlytemporary gusts with little or no obstruction in the vast water body will generate waves getting in extreme cases up to 1.5 meters (as reported by local fishermen). Subsequently,the wind generated waves create wave nui-up against structures such as road embankmentand elevated homelands.If adequate allowances are not kept against wave run-up in fixing the formationlevel of the road, overtoppingmight occur apart from damagesto erosion.

The height of wave is a function of depth of water, wind speed, duration and direction of the wind with respectto flow and effectivefetch. Chainage24 km to chainage 30 km falls within very deeply flooded area. As such, this portion of the road is expectedto be most affected by wave run-up. In accordance with this assessment, due considerationwill be given in the embankment protection design (See EmbankmentDesign Report). The wave run-up against the proposed embankmentslope has been calculated for different wind speed and embankrmientslope of I in 2. The worst possible case has been studied when wind blows from the North West perpendicularto the alignmentof the embankment.Table 2.4.4 illustrates wave run-up computedfor I in 25 year flood conditions for the specific section(southernmost part of Chalan Beel) in the NHBNR.

Table 2.4.4 Wave run-up for differentwind speeds and directionsto be expectedat the main floodeddepression crossed by NHBNR,between chainage km 17.500and 29.700

Time Direction Wind speed Wave Run-up .______1cm/hr R meter. July 1989 2700 :36.58 1.60 August 1989 1300 40.24 1.07

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3. Natural Biological Environment

3.1 Terrestrial Environment

The biota observed underlinethe uneven distributionand biodiversitythat is observed in the complex mix of highly structured terrestrial habitats on one side (e.g. homestead gardens & forested highlands)and ratheruniform monoculture croplands on the other side.

The aquatic realm also contributessignificantly to the biological richness of terrestrialbiota during the period when most of the former waterloggeddepressions and channels become dry. These habitats allow luxurious growth of aquatic plants during the monsoon period. After drying and decompositionthey add substantialamounts of organic matter to the soil, not only increasingsoil fertility but also providing new substratefor numerousterrestrial plants and animals to occupy this proliferousecological niche.

3.1.1 Flora

The focal point of the present survey were the macro-vegetation along the selected alignment, along rural roads and homesteadsencountered by the NHBNR.

Trees and shrubs growing at the elevated locations on which homesteadsusually are built include Mangifera indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Azadirechta indica, Musa spp, Syzigium cumini, Zizyphusspp, Albizzia spp, Cocos nucifera, Phoenixsylvestris, Borasusflabellifer, Areca catechu and Ficus spp,. Most of the trees are planted for fruit supply,while others mainly provide timber for construction, such as Swietania mahagony, Bambusa spp, Eucalyptus spp, Acacia nilotica and Dalbergiasissoo. The slash of these trees, as well as Eucalyptusspp are used for fuelwood.Given the pronounced mix and density (e.g. in bamboo groves), these plant communities are of prime ecological value because of provisionof innumerableecological niches and micro-habitatsfor both. associatedplants (e.g. epiphytes)and wildlife.Homestead gardens are also commonlydecorated with ornamentalplants such as Butea superba,Polyalthia longifolia and Hibiscus varieties.

The road side vegetation of the existing Nalka-HatikamrulRoad; Kaludaha river bank; Salanga- Tarash road; Boraigram-Gurudashpur-Kasikataroad also indicate a fair degree of diversity. Herbs like Croton bonplandianum and Cynodon grasses are dominant and common in all places. Solanum and also Leucas spp. are rare. On the slope of the large embankment south of Tarash (covered with bricks and wires) Crotalariasaltiana was also noted. Daincha (Sesbania canabina), a perennial flood-tolerant shrub, is often cultivated for fuel not only in lowlying areas (e.g. borrowpits)but also on the boundary partitions of paddy fields.

Tree plantation/cultivation, particularly sissoo and mahogany in the Salanga area is gaining popularity and people have increased their tendency to cultivate tree rather than rice. The plantation gardens are in the medium highland and medium lowland. Sissoo can withstand waterlogged conditions quite well. After 3 years of growth the plants have attained both reasonable height (3 - 5 meter) and bole diameter. The plants will be harvested after 8-10 years. It was told by the local people that tree cultivation is more profitable than rice cultivation.

For a detailed account of the plant species identified during this survey, their vemacular names, occurrence,abundance and local uses, reference is made to Annex B.

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3.1.2 Wildlife

Birds have occupied a wide range of terrestrial habitats, mainlyvthose associated with homestead highlands and gardens. The majority of this faunal group is insectivorous,such as the ubiquitous mynas (Acridotheres spp), robins ( Copsychus saularis), orioles (Oriolus xanthornus) and bulbuls (Pycnonotus cafer). Less common are bee eaters ( Merops orientalis) and sunbirds (Nectarinia spp) In Nimacharaikhal, few hoopoes(Upupa epops)were spotted.

Among the grain eating birds, sparrows(Passer domesticus)and pidgeons (Columba livia) are the most common in all locations.Hords of parakeets(Psittacula krameri)often representa nuisanceto local horticultures.Scavengers like common crows (Corvus splendens) and Black Kites (Milvus migrans)are also frequent views in the villages.

The few mammals still occurringin that area has mainly adapted to the man-made habitats created around homesteads.The other major habitat for wildlife are embankmentswhich are used as refuges during floods. The most significantspecies, although most of them are shy and difficult to spot, are rats, mice, bats, flying foxes, mongooseand squirrels. For a detailed account of observed animal species,their abundanceand occurrence,reference is made to Annex B.

3.1.3 Identificationof Key Habitatsalong the Route Corridor

The project region contains three major ecologicalzones, being the floodplainproper (mostly used for paddy cultivation),the river channelsfrom the floodland,and zones or areas of highland (either naturally by higher elevation in comparisonto the surroundingflood-or lowland,or isolated man- made mounds with homesteadsand enclosedby gardensor small forest groves). As the entire project region is largely structured and modified by man, semi-naturalrefuges for wild plants and animals are restrictedto the followingterrestrial and aquaticmacro-habitats:

Homesteadgardens on elevated highlands (protected against non-exceptionalflooding), represent a fair number of micro-habitatswhich give home to large number of plant and animal species (both cultivated and wild). As these highland areas are isolated within the floodplainitself, but represent relative permanent and stable micro-ecosystems,they undergo significant cyclic changes in populationdensities of all forms of mobileterrestrial animals when retreatingto these refuges during the monsoonperiod and disperseback to lower floodlandswhen the waters recede. Such homesteads are frequentlyassociated with a nearby borrowpitswhich iformerlyserved to excavate the mound to build the homes on top. The excavationpit servesthen for washing,livestock watering and irrigation of vegetablegardens. Occasionally,it is used for fish culture.They are generally.richin water insects, amphibians and micro-algae. Thus, these structures add to the heterogeneity of these micro- ecologicalzones, resulting in the highest relativespecies abundancewithin the entire project region.

Homesteads in the unprotected floodplain,often small hornes of landlesspeople living along rivers and khals, are to much lesser degree populatedby different plant and animal species than those being located on artificial highlands. The prime reason for the relative biological scarcity in inundated homesteads are high mortalities in non-mobile species during peak flood levels and rapid flood currents.

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Refuge foresta (occasionallyassociated with graveyardareas) on highlands,representing a good mix of various trees, herbs and undergrowthvegetation elsewhere absent; Bamboo stands and sissoo plantationsare, in contrast, relatively poor in species diversity as they are monospecificman-made woodlands.In thicketsof bambooshyer and nocturnalanimals often find their ideal home.

Large solitary trees (e.g. large Banjan trees, Flame of India, Mango), often growing on elevated highlandsor along old embankments,represent a major roostingand feeding place for many resident and migratorybirds.

Embankmentsare peculiar floodlandhabitats, often highlydiverse in their vegetation,providing both food and shelter for smaller animals like reptiles(snakes, lizards) and mammals (mice, bandicoots). During major flood events,these habitatsact as refugesfor both man and animals. For many animals these linearhabitats also representimportant and relativelysheltered migrationcorridors. By linking highlands,embankments thus provide linear habitatswhich also act as migratorycorridors for many terrestrial animals. They also permit forage for diverse food and interchange between different populations.Given also the large number of shrubs and trees that grow along these embankments, there is sufficientprovision of micro-habitatsfor, e.g. insect-eatingbirds which play an important role in natural insect pest control. Similarly,the high number of lizards and geckoes underlines the value of these habitats for the control of noxious flies and mosqitoes in and around dwellings associatedwith these embankments.

BeLs, perennial isolated water bodies located in lowlands, are of significant ecological value for aquatic and terrestrialfauna and flora, e.g as essentialhabitat for a large numberof migratoryfish, as waterfowl colony breedingsites, and as vital stopover sites on migratory bird's flyways. Of special functional importance is the Chalan Beel, an internationiallyimportant wetland complex for migratory waterfowland for fish stock recruitment.The depressionis fed by storm runoff, inflow from the Atrai River, and backup floodingof the Jamuna through the Hurasagarpassage. Wetlands of different magnitudes in that area have been, during the past decades, constantly reduced by poldering and drainage for agriculture purposes. Consequently,the Atrai basin has experienced severely depleteddry seasonbase flow. One possiblecause is attributedto the extensivegroundwater developmentfor irrigationin the past decade. Outsidethe Chalan Beel area proper, insofar only one smaller beel (ca 2 ha) has been identifiednear Salanga. It is probably exclusivelyrainwater fed and does not receive external recruitment from nearby KaratoaLriver. Hence its importance as fish winteringspot may be of limited nature.

Rivers and khals contain generally high loads of silt, impediingphytoplanktonic development and, subsequently,a rich aquatic species community.The river bainks,however, are often marked with a rich shrub and gramineean plant community which apparently sustains a large number of both invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Quite a few birds are also found along the khals whose main channel bed is characterisedby unvegetatedsandy or clayey soils. Gullies formed within the river bed representimportant wintering sites for many migratoryfislh.

Fishponds, although in strict sense aquatic habitats, are predominantly found in the highlands between Ambariaand Salanga.Their dikes provide,like other embankments(see above) unusualand often favourable living conditions for smaller animals and plants. Frequently,a range of insect- and fish-eatingbirds (whistlers,bulbuls, thrushes, eagrets, kingfisher)are associatedwith these habitats, as well as certain reptiles (frogs, monitor lizards,snakes, turtles).

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Fig. 3.1.3: Biodiversityin Different'Floodplain Habitats

Plant Diversityin Different FloodplainHabitats

Horna,

I I - I I-T o 1o Riaza20 30MwpnM 40 so 60 70 80 Number of Plant Species (Terrestrial Macrophytes)

Terrestrial Vertebrate Animal Diversity . ~~... in Different Floodplan Habitats

:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...:.:.:.. ..:--:..,:.::::.-;-... =;:...o.:N.2X...B Home,pmteded,

" "

0 lo 20 30 40 so 60 70 80 Number of Vertebrate Speciest excl. Fish)

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Rice and wheat fields are extremelyspecialised habitats, the former more aquatic than the latter. Both habitatsare subject to severe exposureto toxic agro-chemicals.One conspicuoussign of poor species diversity in these environs is that insects (includinginsectivorous- birds and reptiles) and amphibians are largelyabsent. Intensiveweeding does also not allow wild ("undesired")plants to grow here.

Margins of rice and wheat fields are narrow linear habitaLtswhich form, to some extent, an interconnectingnet of micro-refugesfor small animals (mostly mice). As these micro-habitatsare also intensivelyweeded, their value as additionalecological niche is rather scant.

The diagram (fig.3.1.3) gives an approximate estimate of the dimensions to which the abovementionedecological elements and their associatedbiota (terrestrialplants and animals) will be affectedby the NHBNR Project.

3.2 Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Habitats

Of particularnotion is the aquatic realm which significantlycontributes to the biological richnessof the area. The aquatic ecosystem,including their biota, can be distinguishedbetween the lotic system (rivers and active channels)and the lentic system(stagnant waters in beels,khals and ponds).

3.2.1 Flora

The principal floral compositionof hydrophytesis relatively uniform throughoutthe riverine water bodies, marshlands, beels, ponds and flooded borrowpits. As expected, the dominance of certain speciesvaries with the season and the silt loadsthey carry during flood season.

TIhemost abundant aquatic plants in the Project Area, idenitifiedduring various field surveys at different seasons, are Pistia stratiotes. Lemna minor, Trapa bispinosa, Vallisneria spiralis, Nymphoides indica, Aponogeton appendiculatus, Nymphaea nouchali, Telanthera philoxyroides, Ipomoea spp, Enhydra fluctuans, Limnophila heterophylla, Sagittaria spp, Myriophyllum spp, Ceratophyllum spp, Eleocharis spp, Utricularia spp, Polygonum amphibium, Alisma s7, Potamogetum spp. Among the most frequent freefloating; macro-hydrophytes were observmeld. .. Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Trapa bispinosa, Hygrorhiza aristata and Echinoch.Ia colonom, as well as numerous algae (e.g. Spirogyra and Scytonema).

Throughout the Project Area one can observe the successiFulestablishment of some terrestrial plants in highly waterlogged areas like roadside borrowpits, such as Trewia polycarpa, Lippia nodilora and Crotalaria saltiana.

3.2.2 Fauna

In this section, only the water fowl and fish have been taken into consideration for practical, technical and economic reason. For more details with respect to vernacular names, occurrence, abundanceand uses, reference is made to Annex C.

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a) Birds

The floodplain wetlands of the North West Region provide habit for a great diversity of both resident and migratory waterfowl. The region was formerly an extremely important wintering area for migratory ducks and geese; flocks of 1,000 or more Anser anser, hundreds of Tadornaferruginea and tens of thousands of other ducks were reported in the 1960s (FAP-2/14, 1993). Dendrocygna javanica was abundant as were other resident ducks such as Dendrocygna bicolor, Sarkidiornis melanotos and Nettapus coromandelianus. In recent years, however, numbers have decreased dramatically, and the larger species such as Anser anser, Tadorna ferruginea and Sarkidiornis melanotos have all but disappeared. D. javanica and N coromandelianus remain common residents, and large numbers of wintering ducks ara still to be found in some areas, the commonest species being Anas acuta and A. querquedula. Other common ducks include Anas strepera, A. crecca, A. poecilorhyncha, A. clypeata, Aythyaferina, A. nyroca and A. fuligula.

Several species of herons such as Ardeola grayii, Bubuleus ibis, Egretta grazetta and E. alba, remain common in the region. The storks Ciconia episcopus, the Greater Adjutant Leptoptilosjavanicus and the black-headed ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus are reported only as occasional visitors in very small numbers.

Other common residents associated with local wetlands include Motacilla spp, Alcedo attis, Halcyon smyrnensis, Phalacrocorax niger, Gallinago henura, Rostratula benghalensis, Glareola lactea, Vanellus indicus, V. spinosus, V malabaricus, Sterna aurantia and S. albifrons. Many species of shorebirds occur on migration and in winter. Common wintering gulls and tems include Larus brunnicephalus and Chlidonias hybrida.

Several species of birds of prey, such as Haliaster indus, and Icthyophaga ichthyaetus are associated with the wetlands, but their populations are declining. Local people sometimes reported the occurrence of owls (presumably Bubo zeylonensis) preying on fish in ponds.

b) Mammals

Mammals asociated with the aquatic habitats of the region include Lutra lutra, Canis aureus, Vulpes bengalensis, Felis riverina and Herpestes spp. The cracked dykes of ponds and ditches are often infested with bandicoot rats (Bandicota indica).

c) Fish

The water bodies in the Project Area, above all the large floodplain depressions during the rainy season, support a highly diverse and productive fish fauna (for details, see Annex C).. The indigenous species of great economic value are, to name a few, Catla catla, Labeo rohia, L. calbasu and Cirrhinus mrigala. Other common species in the rivers and beels include Labeo gonius, Wallago attu, Mystus aor, M tengra, M vittatus, Anabas testua'ineus, Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Tor tor, Amblypharyngodon mola, Pangasius pangasius, Nandus nandus and species of Puntius, Channa, Notopterus, Barilius, Oxygaster, Chela, Danio and Eleotris. A variety of exotic carp species are now being introduced into the wetlands, notably Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis nilotica and 0. mossambica. The wetlands of that region also support large populations of the commercially important freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

EnvironmentalBaseline Survey 27 October 1996 C: \ EIA \ BASELINEDOC DHVConsultants BV

3.3 Fishing Areas and Fishponds

The extent and quality of natural fishing grounds in the regionare lar'gelydetermined by the local floodingpattem resp.the reliefelevation. Fishing grounds in t'hatarea are subjectto drastic reduction in the course of season. Even the large rivers crossing the Project Area are subject to dry out at the end of the dry season.

Fishing grounds are basicallydistinguished in riverine systerns(including channels) and floodplain systems. As shown in Fig. 3.3.1, fishing grounds are concentrating at the main riverine stretches crossing the floodplain. Notable fishing centers are in the areas of Tarash, Ranigram, Kachikata, and Gurudaspur.

The early flooding period (often in February/March)is particularly important for fisheries since it stimulatesthe start of spawningof many floodplainresident slpeciesof fish. In mid-June the level of the main rivers and its tributariesrises. rapidly. Heavy rainfallsalso frequentlycause a rapid rise in the lower Padma which in tum causes a reversal in the direction of flow in canals draining floodplainsand river floodwatersfirst entered floodplainsat this time. The timing of the ingress of river floodwatershas importantimplications for agricultureand fisheries.

Early flooding can, if sufficientlyhigh, carry spawn or hatchlingsof fish, particularly major carps, and transport them by passive drift on to floodplains where they feed, grow and shelter from predators. The first fish hatchling,particularly major carps, would be transported on to floodplains between early June and July. In most years, however, initial lowerflood peaks occurred in May and it is known from data on commercial savar fisheries which collect live carp hatchlings, that first spawningoften coincideswith these first floods (FAP-17,1995).

The timing of the flood drawdown, and thus the availability of adequate fishing grounds is determninedprincipally by the levels in the main rivers Padma and Jamuna. Water levels of riversand floodplainsstart to fall in early September.The general the recessioncan be delayed due to drainage congestionat the mouthof the Atrai River at its confluencewith the Jamuna.

T'he quality and quantity of fish yields in the distinctive fishing grounds depends on the seasonal movements of adult and juvenile fish between spatially linked sites in different habitats. Lateral and downstream movements seem equally to play a role in the major fish migration pathways. A large proportionof fish recruitmentin the floodplaindepressions and in the rivers is apparently due to the downstreampassive drift of fish hatchlings.Thus, fish moveTnentat a critical stage of their life cycle and the availabilityof suitable nursery grounds on floodplains,rivers and khals is a prime condition for the local subsistenceand commercialfisheries.

Along the road alignment there exist 44 ditches and ponds of different sizes which are partially or fully used for aquaculture, producing minor small fishes for self-consumption(see Section 4.6.4). The most productive ponds, some of which exist already since many decades, are located in the Western part of the Project Area in medium highlands which are free of normal flooding. In the lowlands almost none of the existing ditches are used for fish culture as they are fully flooded during the rainy season.

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3.4 EcologicallySensitive Areas and Habitats,with Special reference to the remaining Chalan Beel Wetlands

The proposedroad will pass through a variety of ecologicallysensitive areas which are importantfor maintainingthe biodiversity,e.g. of important wetlands(Fig. 3.4.1). This holds particularly true for fish migrationpathways and bird habitats.

The new road will also touch the southernmostpart of the Chalan Beel, an ecosystem which has received highly controversialassessments during the past decades as far as its actual and remaining ecologicalfunction and valuesare concerned.

The Chalan Beel was once the largest beel in northern Bangladesh.It originally (before the early 50ies) covered an area of approximately107,500 ha, and consisted of a series of beels connectedto one another by various channels to form a more or less continuoussheet of water during the rainy season. The principal constituent beels were, from East to West, Pubna Madhanagar, Piprul, Dangapara, Loror, Tajpur, Niala, Chalan, Majhgaon,Briasha, Chonmohan, Satail, Khardaha,Bara, Darikushi,Kajipara, Gajna, Sonapatila, Ghughdaha, Khralia, Chiral, Dikshiand Gorka IUCN,1993).

Chalan Beel representsa huge saucer-shapeddepression formed in the floodplaindelta formed by the confluence of Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers. In fact, Chalan Beel was forrmedwhen the old Brahmaputra changed its course into the Jamuna channel. The Jamuna impeded the flow of the Padma, thereby causing the latter to deposit sedimentsat the monthsof the Karatoyaand Atrai rivers. The diverted flow of these two rivers created the beel. The southern edge of the beel is flanked by Gumani River, which carries water from the beel to the Mora Boral and eventuallythe Jamuna River. During the rainy season,the Gumanioverflows its banks and floodsthe beel. The water levelremains high as long as the Jamuna is in flood, but with the onsetof the dry season, the greater part of the beef dries out, leaving only a small area of shallow, interconnectedwater bodies (not more than 2,500- 3,000 ha in recent years).

Biologically,the beel offers a vast variety of terrestrial, aquatic and marshy habitats, predominantly used by waterfowl. The following ornithological account is mainly based on investigations undertaken by AWB during the late 80ies. It is assumed, that some of the waterfowl that occurs all over the Chalan Beel also might well occupy certain areas affected by NHBNR, and thus be subject to impacts such as * reductionof breeding,feeding and roostingplaces * hindrance/deferringof migratoryflyways due to regulartraffic flow * increaseddisturbance & exploitationby additionalpeople getting accessto nearby roostingplaces * increasedaccident risk by exposure to traffic.

Reportedly, the Chalan Beel was formerly an important wintering area for ducks, geese and shorebirds,but now that the wetland dries out in early winter, fewer migrant waterfowl visit the area. During the rainy season, however, the beel remains irnportant for a wide variety of resident waterfowl. Prominent species recorded (AWB, 1992; IUCN, 1993) include Tachybaptusruficollis, Phalacrocorax nigre, Lyxobrychussinensis, I. cinnamomeus,Nycticorax, Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta, Ardea purperea, A. cinerea, Myctria leucocephala, Anastonzus oscians, Ciconia episcoputs, Leptoptilos javanicus, Threskiornis melanocephalus, Pseudibis papillosa, Plegadis falcinellus, Dendrocygnajavanica, D. bicolor, Nettapus coromandelianus,Amaurornis phoenicurus, Gallicres cinerea, Porphyrio sp, Hydrophasianuschirurgus, Metopidius indicus and Rostraula benghalensis.

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The Chalan Beel is subject to severe environmental impacts which almost caused its complete change: During the past five decades, Chalan Beel like many other beels in the country is increasingly and rapidly silting up - primarily resulting from increased soil erosion all over the catchment area, sediment loads, intensified agriculture, settlement and flood control measures. During the last 150 years, the southern edge of the beel has shifted northwards by about 20 km as a result of silt deposition by the Padma. In 1909, an investigation revealed that siltation from distributaries of the Ganges had reduced the area of the beel to 36,000 ha. Only 8,400 ha of the beel remained under water all year round, and large areas had dried out and were under cultivation. It was calculated that about 169 million cubic feet of silt were being deposited in the beel each year, equivalent to an average rise in land surface of half an inch per year. By 1950, the permanently flooded areas of the beel had been reduced to about 2,500 ha. Siltation is continuing at a rapid rate. As the level of the land has risen,. the area which remains flooded throughout the year has decreased. Embankments constructed for irrigation purposes and purportedly also for flood control are thought to enlarge the level of flooding during the monsoon by relating run-off. Another reason for the continual drying up of the Chalan Beel is said to be related to the Farakka Barrage located upstream the Ganges in India, causing a considerable shortage of suiface water in late winter all over that region.

In recent years, completedrying out of the ChalanBeel is not uncommon:In June 1987,just prior to the onset of the monsoon, the beel was completely dry except for some small man-made water storage reservoirs(tanks). Under normal rainfall conditions,however, the whole depressioncontinues to be flooded to a depth of 3-4 metres from August to October. Serious environmental impacts commonly result when chronical flash floods cause considerable damage to paddy fields and embankments.In the recent past few floodcontrol polders have been built in the Chalan Beel which often either fail or are willinglycut by dissatisfiedpeople.

Wildlife has suffered badly from the ever increasing pressures from human population and destruction of natural wetland habitats in recent decades. Many species of mammals, birds and reptiles have become rare and in some cases extinct in this particular region, and the large concentrationsof waterfowlwhich occurred as recently as thirty years ago have all but disappeared. Equally the former legendary fish production of this region was vanishing. What fish stocks remained concentratedin the deepest depressionshad largely been overexploitedin spite of fishing restrictions issued by the authorities.Extensive forests of large Barringtoniatrees around the beel, formerlyprovided an importantwildlife habitat and source of firewoodfor local villagers. However, most of these forest have now been cleared, and today the villagers rely mainly on the aquatic vegetationand herds growingaround the beels for firewood. Finally, the wetlands lost much of their intrinsic value for tourism, particularly during winter when concentrationsof waterfowl could be observved, and also provided important opportunities for scientific research and conservation education.

It needs to be stated that, in summary, the ChalanBeel has vanished as far as its former functionand dimension is concerned. This holds particularlytrue for the South-Easternpart of the Chalan Beel which is marginally touched by the NHBNR.Almost the whole of the beel has now been settled and is under cultivationduring the dry season.It is thusjustified to suggest that the present project has no influenceon the ChalanBeel in whatsoeverecological and functionalcontext.

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DHV ConsultantsBV

4. Socio - Economic Conditions

4.1 Demographic Features

The 120 interviews have yielded biodata on an equal number of households. Where absolute data are concerned only the data set of the sample survey is used. In the case of relative data also the results of the pre-survey are used.

The 120 interviewed households all together had 879 members. The average household size obtained, including the pre-survey data, amounts to 6.9 persons. This is slightly higher than the 5.4-5.7 mentioned for the Project Area by official statistics. The mode is found at 4-6 household members (47% of population), each household size having about the same share in the distribution. The minimum and maximum household size amount to 2 and 24 members respectively. Only in one case non-family members were included in the list of household members.

The frequency distribution of households over sex and aige as reported by the interviewed in general resembles that of Bangladesh.However, the much lower figures for age group 0-4 years, for both males and females, in the Project Area is unexplained.It is expected to result from biased asking or responding. Other differences are attributed to regional effects and the size of the sample. Table 4.1.1 shows the distributionand compares it to figures for the whole of Bangladesh.

The male/femalerate in the Project Area is calculated at 1.22, which is rather high compared to the 1.05 derived from national statistics. The difference might be explained by a higher number of females among landless.

To estimate the total number of direct and indirect PAPs the following calculation was made. The number of interviews conducted is 120, with a total of 879 household members. The overall estimate for the number of affected plots is estimated at 3,000. Furthermore, in the pre-survey the total number of affected homesteadscounted was 118, this figure has to be deducted from the total number of plots of 3,000. After that all other data have to be extrapolated to the remaining 2,882 number of plots.

Out of the 120 interviews nine respondents,or 7.5% of the interviewed, reported to be tenant on the plot they cultivated. To estimate the total number of direct PAPs, viz. PAPs loosing land, the number of tenant households has to be added because both the household of the land owner and the tenant will be directly affected.

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Table 4.1.1: Distributionof survey populationover age and sex groups

SurveyPopulation Survey Population Bangladesh Age Group (nos) ___(%) (%) l______males females males females males females 0-4 37 36 8 9 18 18 5-9 66 58 14 15 17 17 10-14 57 48 12 12 13 11 15-19 64 40 13 10 8 8 20-24 54 51 11 13 7 9 25-29 55 44 11 11 7 9 30-34 32 15 7 4 6 6 35-39 24 19 5 5 6 40-44 15 13 3 3 4 4 45-49 9 21 ; 2 5 3 3 50-54 14 20 3 5 3 3 55-59 18 8 4 2 2 2 60-64 11 7 2 2 2 2 65+ 27 16 6 4 4 3 Totals 483 396 100 100 100 100 Males/female 1.22

Note: Bangladeshdata obtainedfrom 1995 Statistical Pocketbook.

To complete the estimate of the total number of PAPs indirect PAPs are added. As indirect PAPs are recognised (semi-)permanentlabourers in agriculture and other sectors as well as squatters and uthulis. Since the questionnaire did not inquire directly after quantitative information regarding these groups, their number has to be estimated. The numbers of labourers and squatters/uthulis households have both been assumed at 10% of the numlberof land owner households. The same family size, the average size as mentioned before in this section, has been assumed for all PAP categories mentioned. The fact that one land owner or tenant can have more than one affected plot has not been taken into consideration in the calculations, It has been assumed that every affected household has one person entitled to compensation. The calculation of the number of PAPs and entitled persons (EPs) is presented in table 4.1.2. The total number of PAPs and EPs is estimated at 26,900 and 3,800 respectively.

Table 4.1.2: Estimateof number of PAPs and Eps

No. of Distribution Household Base households Householdsof or No.PAPs of

Type ~~~~~~~~orEPs EPs _____ Land 3,000 79% 21,259

Tenant 216 6% 1,491 Labourer 10%of nd 300 8% 2,070 owners Squatter/ 10% of land 300 8% 2,070 uthuli owners Total 3,816 100% 26,724

Note:percentages may not addup due to rounding.

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4.2 Religion and Education

4.2.1 Religion

The great majority of interviewedhouseholds reported to be Muslim (95%). The remainder being Hindus. Most of the Hindu householdsin the sample survey are located in the western part of the Project Area, west of the Atrai.River. Another Hindo population, although not analysed by the present survey, lives in the stretch between Nalka and Hatikamrul. Insofar, no Buddhists or Christians have been identifiedamong the PAPs.

Muslim have, like elsewhere in Bangladesh,their religious festivals called eid which occur twice a year (eid el fitr and eid el azha). There are other religions days which are not considered as festivals. Hindus observe their festivals during Puja period. Muslims use graveyards while Hindus incineratetheir dead.

The different religious groups have their specific places of prayer. Muslims go to mosque for prayer, but also assemble at certain periods in a particular field for eid prayer, called "eid Ggha". Similarly Hindus go to Mandir for their prayer, or use their Puja (prayer) place in their own house. Some festivals are enjoyed by all religions such are Baisakhi Mela held on Bengali New Year Day.

In the Project Area live also few tribal people (<1% of total population) known as Santas. These tribes, exhibiting their own traditional culture and dressing, wanderaround in Rajshahi, Natore and Dinajpur Districts.

4.2.2 Education

Educational level is, like in many remote rural areas of Bangladesh,rather poor. Asked after the education level of the head of the householdit showed that 38% is illiterate (see table 4.2.1). Only 20% of the household heads had enrolledsecondary school or higher. Only in 7% of cases also the highest educated member of the householdwas reported to be illiterate.

Table 4.2.1: Education levels of the interviewed households(%)

Educationlevel head of the household Illiterate 38 PrimarySchool 32 Secondary School *19 i Higher secondary school 10 0 University 1 Note ' = includingprimary and secondary religiousschool, Moktaband Madrasah.

Out of the sample survey population over ten years of age only 29% reported to be illiterate. This is very low compared to the 73% for the Natore and Sirajganj Zilas (Statistical Pocketbook 1995). The difference might result from the way the question was formulated, people were asked what type of schools they had enrolled. Of all interviewed households some 23% was entirely illiterate. A literacy percentage of 100% was attained by one household in every twelve. Illiterate householdsare spread evenly over the ProjectArea and over other biodata features.

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4.3 Utilities

4.3.1 Administrationand Services

The administrative units in Bangladesh are the Divisions, Districts, Upazilas and Unions. The Project Area falls within the jurisdiction of Natore and Sirajgonj District under Rajshahi Division. Seven Thanas falls within the Project Area, namely 1. Bonpara, 2. Baraigram, 3. Gurudashpur, 4. Tarash, 5. Hatikamrul,6. Nalka and 7. Sirajgonj.

Commissionersare the heads of the Division while D.Cs (Deputy Commissioners)are the head of the District. The UpazilaNirbahi Officer is the head of the Thana, while the Union is headed by an elected chairnan. Practically the District, headed by the D.C., is the decisive administrative key position of administration.The D.C. is assistedby an S.P. (Superintendentof Police) and an O.C. (Officer in Charge) at each Thana. At District level almost all departments have their own officials from different departments. These officials are directly responsible to their departnental heads at the Governmentbut the co-ordinatingwork is executed by the D.C.

The main public services (public transport, electricity, telephone, postal services, public health, deep tubewell etc.) are provided by governmental and semi-governmental organisations. At the same time, a number of social welfare work is undertaken in this region by some 60 NGO's who are particularly supportingthe rural poorest in respect of income generation,health care, education and family planning.

4.3.2 Communication and Market Conditions

Since rural infrastructure in most part of the Project Area is poorly developed, the road net and correspondingtransport facilities are often very basic and inadequateto meet the requirements for being competitive on national market standard.

Only few secondary asphalt roads traverse the Project Area (see Fig.4.3.2.1) Facilities of mechanised transport are available up to Thana Headquarters and to few big market places. All weather roads are constructed and maintained by LGED (Local Government Engineering Department). Most other roads are non all-weather macadam roads (katcha roads). The level of these rural roads, built on embankments, are often below HFL. They frequently get washed away during flash flooding, and thus become impassable even for bullock carts, the commonly used means of transporting goods. Bridges and culverts are often in dilapidated conditions, and repair and maintenance is generally way behind the most urgent needs.

For a large part of villages located in the Central parts of the Project Area the local network of water-based transport play an important role in the economic, social and domestic affairs during the monsoon period when farming activities come to a. halt. Local people report a considerable number of social visits take place during the rainy season. The navigation sector thus contributes significantly to the livelihood and income opportunities for many people living in this region. Planked country boats taking up to 25 passengers and up to I ton cargo, ply regularly between the villages. On the rivers, large planked nouka vessels carry cargo up to 5-7 tons.

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Significant navigation routes (class IV routes) are linked to the Lower Atrai Basin and to the Bengali-Karatoa-Hurasagarstretch (fig. 4.3.2.1). The entire area between chainage 18 and 30 depends completely on country boats when deeply flooded. .These unrecognised routes ditches interconnecting villages and markets are generally following khalsand (borrowpit) alongside embankments.They are plied both by mechanisecland non-mechanised(paddled and/or sailed) smaller boats.

Fig. 4.3.2.1 Map indicatingthe major roads and navigationcommunications in the Project Area

LEGEND

Country border ......

D,slrc border...... ------

Road ......

Rurer .-..... \

Proposed ahIgmnent

O8G$RA W

JSNAHI~~~~ (~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

< ,- s-...... ATORt j/NJ>i aE 4(A?OR' . -^ ASi OJ

LEGEND \\B

Nonirccogpmiscd - -7 - ,, \\ Scason,alroutc < U b

_ X Class III rrSutc

REGIONAL NAVIGABLE RIVERS

October1996 EnvironmcntalBaseline Survey C: \ EIA \ BASELINE.DOC 35 DHVConsultants BV

The village people normally purchasestheir essential commodities from small rural markets which are held twice in a week. If weather condition and financial means-allow, villagers try to reach some of the bigger markets(e.g. Hatikamrul,Salanga, Tarash, Gurudaspur, Baraigram, Bonpara) to sell their agriculture commodities. The mentioned big marketplaces have sufficient facilities like electricity, telephone, and water supply. They are also linked to the main road net crossing the NW Region.

With exception of these relatively few market locations the present market structures in the Project Area are basically inadequate in terms of storage and display facilities, and thus pose major constraints to the economic and social development in this region. The restricted access to remote villages, the limited usage of often unreliable katcha roads and the general hindrance of free mobility during the monsoon period are major reasons why local farmers have less returns from their agricultural products. The same holds good for particular perishable goods such as catch and culture fish.

4.3.3 Water Supply

From the sample and the pre-survey it shows that 71% of the interviewed have access to a tube well of their own for their householdneed for water. Another 21% has access to the tube well of the neighbours and the remaining 8% uses a co-operative tube well. Table 4.3.3.1 gives an overview of the different uses and sources of water for household and sanitation purposes in the Project Area. For cost of compensationcalculation purposes, in chapter five, it has been assumed that a newly dug tube well of average depth will cost 13DT4,800 (US$-eq 115). This includes a tube well of average depth (50 feet), the pipes, the pump and a concrete slab. About 1% of the plots observed during the topographicalsurveys conducitedfor this had a tube well.

Table 4.3.3.1: Uses and sources of water for household and sanitation purposes

own source neighbours co-operative Household pond tube pond tube pond tube ditches other Total Activity *well well well Drnking 0% 71% 0% 21% 0% 8% 0% 0% 100%

washing d 3% 69% 2% 18% 0% 8% 0% 0% 100% washing______|Cooking 1%% 71% 1% 18% 0% 8% 0% 0% 100% Animal washing 35% 1% 27% 1% 4% 0% 25% 7% 100%

An investigation in to the types of latrines in use by interviewed households shows that 62% uses the kacha, 34% has a ring slab installed and 3% reports to have a sanitary available. The remaining 1% uses a different mode. To calculate the cost of compensation following prices have been assumed: BDT 270 (US$-eq 6) for a ring slab and BDT 2,500 (US$-eq 60) for a sanitary. These amounts includeall rings, a slab and a bamboo sheet.

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4.3.4 Sanitationand Public Health

Since most of the area is a low-lying it is more prown to be a suitable'mosquitobreeding area than highland areas. General occurrence of stagnant waters and puddles enhance this condition. According to the socio-economic survey 71% of the people drink water from tubewell (own source). Generally there is a lack of adequate toilet facilities. about 62% uses kacha latrines, 34% has a ring slab installedand only 3% reports to have a sanitary available. Hence the possibility of water pollution and related public health risks in low-lyingareas are very high.

Use of surface water from the existing river, khals, beels, dug well for general domestic use and even sometimes for their drinking purposes facilitates the spreading of water borne and vector borne disease such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery,gastroenteritis, hepatitis, malaria, kala azar, diphtheria and hookwormetc..

4.3.5 Electric Supply

Out of the sample and the pre-surveypopulation 55% reported that there is electricity available in their area. In 15%of the households electricity was used for domestic purposes. In only two cases electricity was reported to be used for commercial purposes. The questionnairedid not include any questions on electrical equipment in use or electricity consurmption.

4.4 Land Use

4.4.1 Holding Size and Distributionof Landownership

Besides inquiring after the affected plot the interviewersalso collected information on other land owned or used by the household. Land in property is discussed in this section of the report. Land in use, but not in property is detailed in the next section. The analysis of the two combined will be treated in section 4.4.3, where also a comparisonwill be made with the family size.

For the construction of NHB New Road some 275 hectares of land will have to be expropriated between Hatikamrul and Bonpara. It is expected that this will include over 3,000 plots. The questionnaire inquired after the legal land user. In most cases this happenedto be the land owner. In some cases it happened to be a tenant. The field supervisor always identified the plot and its legal land user before an interview took place. These identification data were never verified against other official documentation since this was nol: the purpose of the sample survey. Nevertheless, because of the nature of the interview and the scouting method applied, the interview team always appeared unexpected, it is believed that the data on land still possess sufficient accuracy for the purpose of this sample survey.

All households included in the sample survey have some land of their own. The holding size varies from 8 to 1,681 decimal. Some details are included in the following table (4.4.4.1).

EnvironmentalBaseline Survey 37 October1996 C: \ EIA \ BASELINEDOC DHLVConsultants BV

Table 4.4.4.1: Landownership characteristics in the Project Area

Area (decimals3 Type of Land with land type average minimum maximum Homestead 100% 21.6 2 89 Agricultural 98% 316.7 20 1,650 Fallow 8% 54.0 7 181 Pond 20% 11.9 2 40 Fish pond 23% 32.6 2 210 Fruitgarden 8% 37.9 7 120 Other 13% 21.9 _ 74 Total 100% 350.5 8 1,681 Note:Due to decomposition,figures do not necessarilyadd up to the totalsin the table.

It is no surprise that many holdings consist of more than one plot. The progress of land division in ever more tiny plots can be seen easily from the Mouza maps. The average plot size in the sample survey amounts to 30.5 decimal, varying between 1.2 and 91 decimal, with the mode at 10-25 decimal. There seems to be no correlation between plot size and East-West direction of the road. It is observed by the interviewers that the plots in the sample survey can easily be as far away as five km from the homestead.

Based on an average plot size of 30.5 decimal and an estimated number of affected plots of 3,000, the total area of affected plots is estimated to amount to some 915 acres. Compared to the 630 acres as needed for the NHB New Road this means that imost probably no full expropriation of all affected plots will be necessary or desirable. However, as each plot has several owners, it is impossible to estimate what kind of households will face partial or full expropriation. This aspect will need to be addressed (by the respective NGOs) at a later stage.

4.4.2 Land Rent

Obtaining information 6n how the people in the Project Area give out or take in land on a temporary -basis has been part of the present sample survey. The questionnaire used during the interviews inquired after the anount of land and ponds given out or taken in by a household as well as the conditions agreed upon by the parties involved in this temporary transfer of rights. Before discussing the survey results first the different systems to give out land on a temporary basis as met by the interview teams in the field are described. In general there are four different ways in which people in the Project Area give out their land. Two of which keep the middle between land rent and a mortgage loan. The other two systems can be characterised as share cropping systems.

The systems that keep the middle between land rent and a mortgage loan are known as bonduk and cot. A principal feature of both systems is that the land owner, who gives out the land, is facing a (short term) cash flow deficit. This forces him to give out his land to a financier in order to obtain funds. Under bonduk (Bangla for mortgage) the land owner gives out his land for at least one growing season against a fixed amount payable at the start of the agreement. The right to use the land stays with the financier as long as the initial amount is not redeemed. The full amount is to be repaid in a single instalment. In fact there is no rent sum involved. The land owner wants to redeem his debt as soon as possibleto use his land again.

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Under the cot system the land owner also gives out his land because he is in need of cash. However, unlike the bonduk system, under cot both parties agree on a fixed period in which the agreed amount is being depreciated. This is to be at least ont year. The principal is not being repaid, but after every year an agreed part of the principal amount is being written off. It is not uncommon that both parties agree on completion of the contract before the agreed period has lapsed. In such a case the land owner will repay the undepreciatedpart of the principal amount to the financier. Although with the cot system it is still the need for cash that forces the land owner to give out his land, there is a land rent aspect involved. Nevertheless, land owners are eager to complete the contract within the original periodto be able to use their land themselves again.

In the Project Area two types of share cropping systems were found. Under the first system, or "50%", the land owner provides the land cultivator with the land for at least one season. The cultivator provides all the cropping inputs. At the end of the season fifty percent of the crop goes to the land owner and fifty percent stays with the cultivator. Under the second share cropping system (67%), the land owner receives two thirds of the crop harvested, but also provides half of all cropping inputs excludinglabour. Share croppingagreements are made for at least one season.

Hardly any informationwas obtained on the particularfeatures of pond lease or mortgage.When a pond is leased out under a share cropping like system the standard arrangement seems to be that the pond owner receives half of the gross plot income. A land rent system whereby land is given out against a fixed cash compensation for a certain period in order to earn rent was not encountered in the Project Area. A summary of features of the systems under which land is given out in the ProjectArea is presented in table 4.4.2.1.

Table 4.4.2.1: Summary of systems applied to give out land in the Project Area

Land rent/mortgage systems Share cropping systems Feature bonduk cot 50% 67%

objectiveof land owner short term funds short termfunds incomefrom assets incomefrom assets typicalamount of BDT 16,000- BDT800-1000 na. contract 25,000 na. typicalduration of = -1 season-2 years . 1-3 years I season-3 years 1 season-3 years contractduratin of _ minimumduration of 1 season 1 year 1 season 1 season contract______typicalarea involved 133-167dec 20-66 dec 33 dec? 33 dec? cash inputs paid by 50% of cash land owner na. na. no inputs, excl. labour harvest crop for land na. na. 50% 67% ownernana5067 principalamount to be 1 instalment no, depreciated na. na. repaid 1 isaet n _____n.a premature completion common,under of contract no possible repaymentof na. na. remainder

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Hence one of the principal differences between the share cropping systems, 50% and 67%, and mortgage systems, bonduk and cot, is that in the first case the land owner is in a surplus situation trying to get more income out of his land. Whereas in the latter situation the land owner faces a deficit of funds and the tenant is in a surplus situation trying to earn more from his idle money. Furthermore under cot the land owner still has some incomefrom his land, while under bonduk the land owner accepts a loan, not income.

Results of the sample survey are presented in Table 4.4.2.2. One of the remarkable characteristics is that more land has been share cropped in than out and more land has been mortgaged out than in. This indicates that the respondents in general are not the wealthiest kind of people. After all, both share croppingout and mortgaging in indicate you are in a surplus situation.

Table 4.4.2.2: Distributionof share cropping and land mortgage systems in the Project Area

Share cropping Land mortgage s/cl out s/c1 in (tenant) I/m1 out I/m1 in (landowner) (landowner) (tenant) "50% | "67%" "50%" "67%" bonduk cot bonduk cot

% response 9% 1% 15% 2% 19% 19% 7% 8% average area 132 167 116 92 77 87 34 120 (dec) ____ paots 2.0 3.5 2.5 2.5 1.9 2.4 1.3 2.3 average na. na. na. na. 270 26 248 29 arnount/cec2I I

arnoungdec 2 na. na. na. na. 625 6-200 125- 5-152 Note: 1) s/c sharecropping Vm = landmortgage; 2) for bonduk this the total amount, for cot it isthe annual reward on land.

In general the areas share cropped in or out by a household seem to be larger than the land that is mortgaged in or out. Over all sample survey households63% is involved in either a share cropping and/or a land mortgaging arrangement. Some households deal in more than one type of share cropping and/or land mortgaging at the same time. Onierespondent had four different systems running at the same time: cot/in, bonduk/out,cot/out and 50%/out. Thirteen percent of all the households had more than one share croppingor land mortgaging arrangement running at the same time.

4.4.3 Land in Use

Based on the data in the previous sections calculations are made here reflecting land-in-use by households and per household member. Land-in-use is being defined as land owned plus land taken in temporarily, either by rent, mortgage or share cropping etc, minus land given out to others, also in any legal form. Although the agreement between land lease parties in genera! seems to last less than five years, there are households that take in land on a temporary basis every season in considerable amounts. Therefore land taken in by a household from others on a temporary basis is considered to be contributing to the structural income of that household.

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The average holding size (land owned) amounts to 350 decimal, whereas average land-in-use is 333 decimal. Hence, on a net basis householdsgive out to others. However,observing the range of the values it is logical and clear that smaller households take-in land to form more sustainable holdings.

Table4.4.3. 1: Land in use by householdsin Project Area (decimals)

Landowned Land-in-use Land-in-use/household member

Before land acquisition average 350.3 332.5 46.52 range 8-1,681 26-1,707 6.5-284.5 mode no real mode no real mode 10-50 below33 dec/hh member _ _ 42% Afterland acquisition average 321.5 302.1 41.67 arange 2-1,626 5-1,626 1.3-271.0 mode noreai mode no real mode 20-40 below33 dec/hhmember _ 43% Note: fullacquisition ofaffected plots is assumed.

The average for land-in-use per household member before and after land acquisition amounts to 46.5 and 41.7 decimal respectively.According to WB guidelinesa householdmust have at least 33 decimal per household member to be able to operate on a sustainable level. It turns out that for 43% of the interviewed householdsthe area per household member is lower than 33 decimal. The mode of area per household memberbeing 20-40 decimal.

As at the time this report was issued no exact data were available on quantities of residual land after acquisition for the project ROW. The amount of resiclualland might influence the area per household member and thereby the cost of resettlement or compensation. However, since this influence is consideredto be small it is not included in the estimates here.

4.5 Other assets

Under other assets here are mainly included buildings and structures since the study is only interested in immovable assets. Tube wells and sanitary arTangementswere already described in previous sections. Movable assets like furniture, electrical household goods, clothing, bicycles etc are supposed to be moved in case of a full resettlement. This also applies for cattle and poultry, which is treated in section 4.6.2. The cost of replacement of such assets is not at stake in case of a resettlement, only their cost of moving. Assets from private business are treated separately at the end of the section.

The questionnaire inquired after the number and type of fixed constructions owned by the interviewed. Seven main types of buildings were recognised (see table 4.5.1), made of different materials. On the average a holding possesses 4.1 structures of different construction materials. The minimum and maximum number of structures found in the sample survey amounted to one and nine respectively.

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Table 4.5.1: Structures characteristics in the Project Area

average average size Lonstrwction cost (BDT) Type no./household (sqft) _ unit rate/sqft averagelstructure Pacca building 0.03 275 500-600 151,000 Pacca walls,tin roof 0.28 263 250-300 72,300 All tin materals 0.32 312 150-175 50,600 Tin roof, mud walls 0.43 271 100-125 30,500 Tin roof,thatch walls 1.04 155 100-125 17,400 Allthatch materials 1.58 111 50-70 6,600 Shack (Jhoopri) 0.11 70 25-30 1,900 Other 0.30 117 na. na. Total per household 4.09 1651 8na. 20,1002

Note: 1) average structure size 2) average structure cost.

Because is was virtually impossible to calculate the degree to which all structures found during the interviews were being depreciated and because the depreciation period of materials used is short only the replacement cost of structures is calculated here. To arrive at replacement cost estimates for the different types of structures unit per square feet rates for construction were collected from

The Schedule of Rates (1993, 8 th edition, 2 nd revision) of the Public Works Department. Using these rates and the size of the structures as indicated by the interviewed construction costs for different types of structures were calculated. The average structure has a replacement cost of BDT 20,100 (US$-eq 480). The average household with 4.1 structures has a replacement cost estimated at BDT 82,100 (US$-eq 1,950).

Out of the sample survey 19% of the interviewed reported to run a private business. Most common business are trade in agricultural products and running a ,grocery shop. Most entrepreneurs operate their business for twelve months a year. Because the types of business found are very different in character, only average figures are used here. In the census valuation of the businesses will have to be judged on a case to case basis. The average seize of capital employed as indicated by the interviewed amounts to BDT 38,400 (US$-eq 910) in the sample survey.

4.6 Agriculture, Animal Husbandry andl Fisheries

4.6.1 Agriculture (Crop Culture)

With exception of the old river channels (khals) the soils of the Project Area are intensively used for agricultural production. Wherever flooding conditions, soil type and availability of irrigation water allow, farmers grow two (or more) crops per year.

On Highland and Medium Higland soils, the main cropping pattern is, apart from mixed horticulture, aus paddy or kharifjute followed by a dryland rabi crop. Some land in the Western part of the Project Area may be used for single crop of sugar cane, and some is triple cropped with jute, transplanted aman and wheat. In the Western Highlands of Atrai River, mixed aus and aman paddy are grown in the kharif season, followed by rabi pulses or wheat. During the dry season, the crop culture depends largely on irrigation. Shallow tubewells are the main means of irrigation, but deep tubewells are also used all over the area. With irrigation, the farmers grow boro paddy in the dry season on all except the most permeable soils. On Medium Highlands, boro paddy is followed

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by transplanted aman in the kharif season, occasionally by mustard. On Medium Lowland soils, boro is often followedby transplanted deep-water aman. Except in the central part of the Project Area, which is generally deeply flooded during the monsoonperiod, the HYV boro paddy variety is grown.

Tab. 4.6.1.1 Summary of land-usepattern in the Project Area Group % of I No.of crops Maincrops up total land Land-Type peryear cultivated 5 M m H _ d aman,IRRI,wheapulse/vegetablesor i 55 .MediumHighland 3 aman,IRRIljute,wheatlpulse/mustard ...... e.-.,---.- .-.-..-...... I I 3 1MediumHighland 1 Sugarcane only

...... III 25 ...... MediumLowland I...... 2 ...... aman,IRRI/jute IV 15 LowlandDepressions 1 aman

- 2 I Homesteads throughout diversehorticulture

Farmers commonlyuse more urea as fertilizer, to lesser extent TSP and MP fertilizers. Qualitative assessment indicatedthat they often apply higher rates of urea than recommended.

A number of hazardous biocides are commonly applied by local farmers, often at indiscriminate high dosages. Randomly gathered information indicates that among the most dangerous chemicals used are Furadan, Dieldrin,Thiodin, Thionol Heptachlor and Diazinon.

The flood plains are intensivelycultivated, and little naturalvegetation remains. The principalcrops are rice Oryza sativa, jute Corchorus spp, Lathyrus sativus, Lens culinaris, Brassica uca, Phaseolus aureus and Phaseouls mungo. The commonest fruits and vegetables are Carica papaya, Ananasa sativa, Solanum melongena tuberosum, Lablab sp and Bra.sica spp.

All but one household reported to grow (some) crops. The households gave information on 21 types of crops, see table 4.6.1.2 (pulses and vegetables are included as one type each). Households grow five different crops per year on an average, the mode being four. Three different seasons are being distinguished: Rabi (January to April), kharif I (May to July) and kharif 2 (August to December). The rabi season being the dryer season in which most of the cash crops are grown.

The aman rice crop is the only crop reported to be grown in the kharif 2 season. It is grown by 86% of all households. In the kharif I season aus rice and jute are grown. In the rabi season the main crops grown are vegetables, pulses, spices and wheat. Most farmers interviewed used cash inputs for crop cultivation, taken over all cash inputs most was spent on fertiliser, external labour and irrigation. No exact figures regarding cropping intensities could be derived from the sample survey data. However,based on the sample survey data the average cropping intensity is estimated at 1.4, most households having a value between one and two.

It is recognised that the collected and computed figures in table 4.6.1.2 show considerable variation between respondents and between different crops. Therefore the Consultants have observed considerable precaution in the use of these results for the purpose of cost compensation estimation. Nevertheless, the results of the sample survey have been used as the original data reflecting the situation in the Project Area.

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For the purposes of cash and non-cash income estimation and for cost of compensation calculations gross crop values and net crop margins have been computed for most crops as displayed in the last two columns of table 4.6.1.2. For staple food crops (rice and wheat) and jute, that are grown in seasons with a limited crop choice, the gross crop values range between BDT 55 and BDT 81 per decimal (US$-eq 1.30-1.90/dec).The gross crop value of IRRI rice is higher at BDT 131/dec (US$-eq 3.10/dec). Other rabi crops can have much higher gross crop values as reported by respondents, as high as BDT 250/dec (US$-eq 6.00/dec) for chillies grown by 19% of all respondents.

Most of these crops with highergross values are primarily for sale. On the contrary, if a household should be forced to buy its staple crops in the (country side) market it will face higher prices than the sales prices at farm level. Therefore, based on this opinion, the gross sales values of staple food crops should have to be increased when used for compensation purposes. Because no accurate data could be obtained, with prices varying per season, the correction of farm gate prices has not been included in the results. For the calculationof compensation cost a compensationfor the crop in the field of BDT 250 (US$-eq 6.00) has been maintained.

Table 4.6.1.2: Crop cultivation in the Project Area

= ~ __ = __ _ . _.-. % of average average part of average average hh area cultivated harvest sales harvest sales net 8 9 Crop Season with in hh (dec) (kg/dec) price sold value margin Type crop Tklkg Tkldec Tk/dec l______aver. mode Amon1 Kharif 2 86% 175 100 9.1 7.2 25% 65.5 34.6 Aus1 Kharif 1 11% 133 33-66 7.0 7.9 22% 55.3 34.8 Banana perennial 1% 15 15 na. na. na. na. na. Boro1 Rabi 1% 33 33 na. na. na. na. na. Bringal2 Rabi 5% 6 3-4 62 3.6 56% 223 159 Chilli Rabi 19% 15 8-16 4.9 51 72% 250 216 Dhania3 Rabi 1% 5 5 na. na. na. na. na. Garlic Rabi 30%Mo 24 510/336 9.2 22.5 67% 207 137 IRRI1 Rabi 73% 159 0-3307 19 6.9 33% 131 53.2 Jute Kharif 1 47% 43 33 6.3 12.8 90% 80.6 47.7 Kachu4 Rabi 1% 20 20 1508 2.7 100% 405 348 Mustard Rabi 29% 95 161007 7.3 16.7 82% 122 103 Mula5 Rabi 3% 12 8-167 145 2.1 38% 305 270 Oilseed Rabi 17% 42 28-33 3.0 14.5 79% 43.5 34.3 Onion Rabi 25% 9 3-5/8-106 18.1 13.2 34% 239 187 Potato Rabi 21% 12 3-167 :30.6 6.9 26% 211 139 Pulses Rabi 41% 137 14-20 3.1 12.1 66% 37.5 27.8 Sugarcane all year 14% 148 8-6607 230 1.1 100% 253 182 Turmeric Rabi 3% 10 5-167 19.8 4.4 80% 87 62 Vegetable Rabi 13% 16 10-16 22.2 1.8 56% 40.0 9.8 Wheat Rabi 59% 72 10-66 8.4 7.9 41% 66.4 33.2 Note: 1)different types of rice;2) eggplant;3) coriander;4) taroor cocoayam;5) radish;6) bimodal; 7) no mode: 8) piecesinstead of kg; 9)based on 100%sales at indicatedsales price.

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For the calculation of the threshold of sustainability yearly income per capita, excluding agricultural income,the net margins as indicated in table I I have been used. For crops where there is no net crop margin available, a margin of BDT 100 (US$-eq140) has been assumed for calculationpurposes.

The figures in table 4.6.1.2 for average and modal areas have not been checked physically by the interviewers.From the values it is observed that they are obviously influencedby the terms bigha (33 decimal or one third of an acre) and acre. Nevertheless, they have a considerable indicative value.

4.6.2 Tree Crops and Use of Natural Plants

The wide variety of plants provides a remarkablerange of resources for the human population. To meet this. many speciesare established,cultivated and protectedby the localpeople. Their uses range from medicinalthrough utilitarian to culturaland religious,which the two main religion groups tend often to sharethe same species.

Certain trees, especially Xanthium, Barringtonia, Pongamia and Ficus, are cut for firewood, and grasses and reeds are used as building materialsand in cottage industries.In recent years, aquatic plants(e.g. water hyacinths)have been locallycollected to be used as fertilisers.

By far most households have trees on their homestead or their plots (98%). These trees include among others bamboo, banana, betelnut, coconut, datepalm, fanpalm, guava, jackfruit, mango, timber and fuel wood. Forty percent of the households has not more than thirty trees of different species. For most householdstree crops seem to be only a minor source of cash income. However, as a source of income in kind and an addition to the menu homestead orchard are renown. Production figures and hence income, in cash or kind, from these trees show a great variety as cultivation intensity is largely dependent on the amounit of slack time available within the household and the marketing possibilities of the household has. Therefore no production figures are presented here. Of all households 48% earns cash income from trees. Cash income from tree crops averages at BDT 9,800 (US$-eq 230) per annum, with a range of BDT 30-139,600 (US$-eq 1-3,320).However, 61% of all households with tree crops has a cash income from them of less than BDT 3,000 (US$-eq 70) a year.

The average cash income per annum per tree as reported by the interviewedand taken over all respondents and all trees amounts to BDT 13.7 a year (US$-eq 0.33). For purposes of compensation cost calculation the gross cash income per annum per tree over ten years has been used as its assumed replacement value. Based on the previously mentioned figure of 40% of households having thirty trees or less a mode of 20 trees per homestead has been assumed by the Consultants to estimate crop compensation in section 5.2. During the topographical survey it was observed by the Consultants that about one in 25 plots witlhagricultural land use has a tree on it. This figure has been used to estimate tree compensationcost.

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4.6.3 Animal Husbandry

Nearly all households interviewed kept some animals (bovines, sheep or poultry), only 3% were reported to not keep any animals at all. In table 4.6.3.1 below an overview is given of the results of the survey. No questions were asked with regard to use of cash inputs in animal husbandry.

Table 4.6.3. 1: Animal Husbandry in the Project Area

average average average Type of % of average 1 avterage % of sales no. of Animal households no./house Product production price of animals Husbandry with animals hold /ainimal2 sold products sold2

Bullocks 44% 2.1 na. na. na. na. 2.0 Cows 67% 2.6 milk, ltr 56 27% 10.2 1.8 Buffaloes 1% 5.0 milk, Itr' 180 0V% na. 0.0 Sheep 13% 2.7 na. na. na. na. 1.0 Goats 42% 3.5 na. na. 0% na. 2.3 Chicken 88% 14.0 eggs 22 44% 2.4 12.8 Pigeons 16% 16.0 na. na. 0% na. 10.1 Ducks - 45% 10.8 eggs 59 78% 2A4 91 - =- .= = __= Note: 1)excluding meat; 2) includingyoung stock; 3) also providingcurd

Most of the produce from livestock was for home consumption. Therefore, infornation on sales prices of products is very limited. A considerable number of households sold part of their livestock. No estimates have been made on the value of-the livestock. The animals are considered to be removal assets, to be moved together with the entire household in the case of a full resettlement only. No inquiry was made after the cost of keeping different types of animals. Moreover, most households seem to keep animals on a very extensive basis, only making expenses occasionally.

During the dry season, large numbers of domestic livestock, mainly cattle and buffalo, graze in the wetlands. These are often brought from considerable distance and remain with their headers at the wetlands throughout the dry season. Marsh grasses and other aquatic vegetation are harvested for fodder for these animals. Otherwise, cattle and buffaloes are fed rice straw, weeds, oil cakes and wheat chaff. Pods of roadside trees are also commonly used as green fodder.

4.6.4 Capture Fisheries (SubsistenceFisheries in Open Waters)

General Features and Eco-FunctionalBasis

The basis for this sector is the high biodiversity, nutrient enriched habitats, fast growing fish species, and relative easy access to the low-lying fishing grounds (beels, khals) where fish are concentrating particularly during the end of the flood season. The monsoon inundated floodplain is understood as a seasonal habitat. Accordingly, the major part of the subsistence fishing in the Project Area is entirely seasonal.

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The functional integrityof the floodplain, i.e. the free flow and drainage of the flood, is essential for both fish population dynamics and for the fisheries depending on it. Fry of river fish and prawns move mostly laterallyinto the floodplain where they feed ar)d attain growth between June and October. Some species resident in perennial water bodies (beels) also move into inundated floodplains and breed there. Their fry also utilise the floodplain for food and first growth. Besides, minor carp, climbing perch, catfish, snakeheads etc. that usually spawn during the onset of the monsoon,feed and grow in the floodplain.

Ecologically, the species are distinguished according to their habitat preference into three categories:

a) Riverine: Specieswhich are usually confinedto rivers and estuaries(e.g. ilish) throughouttheir life cycle with no direct dependenceon floodplains, although some species can be found on more extensivefloodplains b) Migratory: Species which move between river and floodplain during different stages of their life cycle and therefore have some dependenceon floodplainsfor growthandlor reproduction c) Floodplainresident: Species which are capable of surviving in perennial waters of the floodplainthroughout the year and are largely dependent upon them for growthand reproduction.Many of these species occupy also a varietyof other habitats, includinglarge rivers

The FAP-17 Study (1995) demonstratedthe great importanceof river duar (scour holes) as winter refuges for large species of fish, particularlycatfish and major carps. The Study also recommended the prohibitionof fishingduar during the dry season and the establishmentof river patrols by DoF to enforce protective fisheriesregulations as a means of conservingimportant overwintering broodstock of high value species which form the basis of both riverineand floodplainfisheries.

Fish Biodiversity

In the region some 94 fish species have been recorded (C.Price/BAFRU,pers.communication). The number observed varies with region, habitat and season. Indicative figures are derived from the FAP-17 investigationsundertaken throughout the NW Region. The principal species of fish caught in the Project Area in different (perennial and seasonal) habitats are listed in Table 4.6.4.1.

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Table 4.6.4.1 Major fish species caught in the Project Area, and habitat preference

Fish Species Habitat Preference Bengali Name Scientific Name llish Hilsa ilisha Riverine Goisha Mystus cavasius Riverine Cat/a Catlacatla Migratory C] Rui Labeo rohita Migratory LI Koi Anabas testudineus Migratory O Tengra Mystus bleeken Migratory Kholisa Colisa fasciatus Migratory l Karfu Cypnnus caipio Migratory Boal Wallagoniaattu Migratory ! Shing Heteropneustesfosslis Floodplainresident G Magur Clarias batrachus Floodplainresident Cl Puti Puntiussophore Floodplainresident E Bail/a Glossogobiusgiurus Floodplainresident LI Taki Channapunctatus Floodplain resident L Shol Channa stniatus Floodplain resident OI Guchi Macrognathuspancalus Floodplain resident LI Baim Mastacembelusarmatus Floodplain resident O Chanda Nama chanda Floodplain resident 1I Chingri or Icha Prawnsof diff. species Floodplain resident [i Source:FAP-17, 1995 and CIEC,1993 a) Rivers

Table 4.6.4.2 illustrates the species composition in this habitat, showed that of the dominant riverine species, Ilish*) predominated The second most important riverine species are Golsha, Kabashi, and, to some extent, Tengra.

Table 4.6.4.2 Mean annual number of fish species and percentage contribution, recorded at different sampling site on secondary rivers in the NW-Region

Number of Fish Species (and Percentages) Riveln Migratory Floodplain R_verine Migratory resident Total

33 (26) 22 (35) 39 (27) 94 (100 Source:FAP-17 (1995)

For species names(Latin, English, Bengali)reference is made to Table C 5 of Annex C.

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Like in all aquatic habitats of this region, there are marked seasonal changes in species diversity. The number of species increases to a single peak during August and September, coinciding with the start of the flood drawdown, when fish migrate from the adjacent floodplains and concentrate in the khals. According to FAP-17 studies, highest numbers of species are again recorded during months of the drawdown (October - November). The percentage contributionis by riverine, migratory and floodplain resident species to annual catches from channels in the region indicate, that both riverine and migratory species make actually less contribution to canal catches than floodplain resident species, accounting for more than half of the total catch volume. The most important individual migratory species include catfish and carps. Small prawns also formnan important component of the catch in khals. c) Floodplain Fisheries

Table 4.6.4.1 (above) indicates a fair number of species that is prevailingly caught in the lowland depressions of the main floodplain. Determinative factors for fish species composition. When catches are divided into categories of riverine, migratory and floodplain resident fish, clear dominance of floodplain species is noted, comprising 59% of the total number of species recorded in these habitats (see Tab. 4.6.4.3).

Table 4.6.4.3 Mean annual number of fish species and percentage in composition, observed at different sampling site on floodplain habitats (e.g. beels) in the Lower Atrai Basin

Number of Fish Species (and Percentages)

Typical Riverine Migratory residentrosin Total

8 (9) 1 27 (32) 50 (59)

Source:FAP-17/1 (1995)

Determinative parameters for the species' composition and abundance are the local land heights which influence the magnitude, extent and duration of floodiing.Inevitably, the development of rural roads and their embankments act as unintentional flood control and hinder the ingress of both river floodwaters and migratory fish into floodplains.

In general there are marked seasonal variations in floodplain catches: For example, dramatic increases occurred in the NW- Region during the winter from December 1993 to February 1994 when large leased beel fisheries were fished out (FAP-17,1995). Catch figures then reached a maximum during and immediately following the flood drawdown when fish were concentrated in decreasing areas and volumes of water and therefore easier to catch.

The most important and widespread floodplain resident species included Puti, Guchi and Bailla. The most abundant migratory species found in floodplain habitats are catfish, (Boal, Golsha tengra, Batasi and KabashO).It is noteworthy that juveniles of Hilsa ilish are swept in from the neighbouring Atrai River, a reported spawning place for this fish. The contributions of major carp to floodplain

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catchesare much lowerthan those of tne channels.This differencemay be caused by the differential migrationrates betweenspecies from the floodplain,with a higher proportionof major carp escaping from the rapidly drying flood lands which are unableto provide&adeq'uateareas of perennial waters. Prawns, comprising sometimes one sixth of the total catches, form the basis of an important subsistenceand semi-commercialfisheries in most of the lloodplainareas in that region.

Characteristics of the Subsistence Fisheries

All over the region, subsistencefishing representsa popular additional means of income. People of different social and landownerstatus (see Tab.4.6.4.4) fish regularlythroughout the flood season and drawdown.but at low levels of intensity(a few hours at a time). Thus, it might be often difficult to distinguishbetween "professional" or full-time fishermen; seasonal or part-time fishermen, and "subsistence" fishermen. At first sight, these categories appear arbitrary. Given the widespread diffusion of the fisheries resource which occurs during,the floods, however, extensive fisheries involvementamong the populationcan be expected. In practice, the term "subsistence fisherman" would describeeveryone engaged in fishing who does not regard it as an "occupation."Alternative terms for this group might be "opportunistic"fishermen or "non-fishermenwho fish." Apparently, people abstain from being identified as fisherman (jelel due to the low social reputation that is associated with this profession. Many "subsistence"fishermen may be reluctant to admit that they fish, even if they do so frequentlyand have a decent or major income fromtheir yield.

In many areas these opportunisticfisheries are dominatedby childrenwho can account for well over 50% of fishing effort. The lions share of their catch, performedwith scoop nets, are small prawns. It is particularly in this extremely important group of children involved in fisheriesthat problems of categorisation and quantification of the fisheries sector become most difficult. Some children undoubtedly make a significant contributionboth to household income and consumption through their fishing activity. For children,even from "non-fishing"families, fishingcan be a seasonal"job" taking up 10-12 hours per day even though parents may be reluctant to regard it as a significant source of income. Overall, the involvementof women in capture fisheriesin the region is, like in most rural Bangladesh,relatively limited.

Tab.4.6.4.4 Breakdownof the proportionof householdsinvolved in seasonal(for income)and subsistence(for consumption)fishing activities in the NW Region

Landholding Percentage,lype of fishing actvity category seasonal*) ! subsistence*) [ nonfishing MediumFarmer 11 34 55 Small Farmer . 12 31 45 Landless 18 1 28 53 ') noaccount given on children's involvement in this sector Source:FAP-17/1 (1995)

The degree of getting involved in fishing activities depends, above all, on factors such as distance from suitable water bodies, availability of alternatives and seasonal or annual variations in flood extent. Some people reported that they might only fish once or twice during the year under very particular circumstances (for example during the pre-imonsoonin nearby beels or during the dewateringof ponds and ditches during the drawdownperiiod.

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In fact, there is much controversyon the actual contribution of the fisheries sector to the regional economy.The figures shown in Tab. 4.6.4.5 would suggest that in the.respectivethanas only about 2% of the working population is occupied as full fishermren.It rerriainsdoubtful whether people might have been reluctant to indicate fishing as their major occupation for the low social status adhering to this activity. The actual figures of people engaged in, at least seasonal fishing activities might certainly be higher. According to estimates to ODA/ DoF experts working on FAP surveys in the NW Region and to field observations made for this survey, about 3/4 of floodplain residents may well be engaged in fisheries during the main flooding season. In the dry season, however,there might be considerablefewer persons engaged in part-time fishing.

Table 4.6.4.5 FisheriesRegional Basic Data of six Thanas in and adjacent to the Project Area

Thana Thana(sq.km) Area villagesNo. of Populationnos ofestimated fishermen no No. of& pondsprivate) (khas Ullapara 160 n.a. 313.000 1,025 1767 Tarash 116 220 1.080.00 2.770 1400 Gurudashpur n.a. 123 134.000 3.430. n.a. Baraigram 195 182 170.000 8.395 1760 Source: DOF Statisticalrecords, 1991-1993,and CIECC, 1993)

Fishing Gear

For fishing, people use mainly small, and flexible gears on generally shallow and peripheral water bodies or flooded areas which yield small amounts of fish. Few operate from small boats. Householdsengaged in fishingactivities of this sort might not own any fishinggear as such, but rely on their hands, basketsand other items which are not primarily destined for use in fisheries.Those gears which are owned are generallycheap and frequentlycan be constructedwith materials readily available in and aroundthe village.

Tab. 4.6.4.6 Fishinggear used in the Project area,and place of operation

n Game Description Mainhabitat in whichgear is operated chakta/dharmajal square liftnet of varioussizes suspended on a fromthe banks of riversand khals; rackof bamboopoles oftenerected at mouth of culverts deo...... or dhor .... length...... of finee... mesh nettingstrung ...... between2 verti- ditchesand khals; ...... cal ..... poles; ...... pulled...... through ...... the water by...... 2 persons ...... also to harvest ponds .... thellajal triangularpush net on a bambooor woodenframe rivers,channels and floodedareas, to catch prawns ucha a wovenbamboo scoop pulled alongthe bottom rivers,channels and floodedareas, to catch prawns doijaror deal differenttypes of bambootraps depositedin ditches and rivers jhakijal...... circular...... cast net of variousdimensions khals, rivers,ditches, ponds sip ,tanabars simplehook and line with or withouta float depressions,rivers Bushparkfunctioning as fish attractingdevice; in depressionsand ditches,fishing kallatkup circularinsert of bushes(up to 1 ha)on which the fishattracting device is done with ...... phytoplankton... grows used by fishto feedon encirclingnets handfishing manualcatch used while dewateringof residual water bodies as the floods recede

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Productionin CaptureFisheries

No primary data are at hand to assess the actual fisheries production in the Project Area. An approximate picture of this sector can be obtained by reviewing-the data of a sample survey (conducted in 1993) togetherwith additionalobservations obtained on the Socio-EconomicSurvey of the PAPs (May/June) 1996.

As for riverine fisheries, investigationsconducted in the framework of FAP-17 Study in 1994 throughoutthe NW Region indicate some 4-6 tonnes catch per river stretch in the Lower Atrai and in the Karatoya River. The best catches in rivers coincide with the period during flood drawdown in winter. For capture fisheries in channels,landing figures of I to 3 tonnes per km are reported.

In the 371 fishing households in and adjacent to the Project Area surveyed in 1993, 23.93 tonnes of fish were caught in rivers and beels during the 1992-93 fishing season(June to January). At that time, the average catch for the open water has been estimated to be 644.97 kg/fisherman/season. The highest production of 130kg/fishermen has been obtained for Tarash Thana which most likely reflects the influence of Chalan Beel highly productive fishing grounds (e.g. Wapda and Cahkore rivers). The second highest production of 100 kg/fishermen was obtained in Baraigram Thana, where the catches came mainly from Chindanga beel and Mora Boral river. The highest quantity, probably indicating the abundanceof fish, was caught in Baraigram Thana along with the highest income for the fishermen. The second highest was Gurudashpur Thana by weight as well as by sale. The income was more in Ullapara Thana than in Tarash, although the latter had produced more fish by weight.

Table 4.6.4.7 shows the quantityof each group of fish caught in the riversand beels during the last fishing season 1992/1993,while Table 4.6.4.8 allows an estimate of the yield which is achieved in the Project Area by single fishermen households.

Small sized fish like Puti and Guchi comprise the majority of catches in that area. Snakeheads (Shol, Taki) were the second largest group of fish. Major carp (only Rui), although occupying the third position in the catch by weight, was never represented by larger size. Fourth position was occupied by different species of small sized prawns.

Table 4.6.4.7 Annual open water fish production by fish groups, 1993

Species Weight Price (BDI per Totalprice Species (kg) kg *) BDT Major Carp 37,247 26 132.614 Other Carp 4,684 12 180.098 Catfish 16,968 29 638.309 Snake head 44,783 22 1.266.414 Live Fish 25,434 34 1.252,485 Other Fish 73,668 20 1.518.239 Prawns ...... (small)...... ~ 36,498.i...... 12 .4...... 596.830 TOTAL 239,284 _ 5.778.480 ) Note: Pricesas per 1993, CIECC

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Table 4.6.4.8 Estimated revenues from open water subsistencefishing

NameNameof No.householdsNo. of fishermen Reported Catch Estimatedtotal Village interviewed(1993) kg / household catch(kg) Nalka 10 46.30 787 Hatikamrul 12 38.50 462 Salanga 14 50.70 3550 Sharif Salanga 2 76.00 2280 Charia Shikar 8 56.80 455 Dadanpur 8 96.20 962 Ranigarm 17 84.50 5494 Palsura Patpara 16 59.00 1004 Kachikata 2 102.50 5125 Parkol 15 40.70 4073 Bonpara 8 43.70 1531 Source:CIECC, 1993

Live-fish groups, represented by Koi, Shing and Magur, had brought the best value (BDT 34.00/kg) to the fishermen,while the catfish group, represented mostly by Boal, had brought the second highest (BDT 29.00/kg).Rui, despite its small size, had a good demand (BDT 26.00/kg.) Small-sized prawns were sold at a lower price of BDT 12.00/kg. Large size major carp, although reported by local fishermen (and included in the above list), seem to be nowadays absent, probably indicating overexploitation.Surprisingly, major carps Catla and Cirrhinus mrigala were rarely ever caught by fishermen.

Fish catches are mainly marketed at fishing centers, which are located in the Project Area (from East to West) in Salanga, Sharif Salanga, Tarash, Hamkuria, Ambaria, Mahishbanga, Malipara, Kachikata,Ranigram, Chandipur, and Bonpara.Commonly, the captured fish are carried in baskets on shoulder to the nearest market. If available,fish is also brought to market in cycle-vans.

There exist various levels of (opportunity and professional) fish traders, although many children can be seen on local hats selling excess catch.

Fish consumption in the region is higher than average in the country. An average of 16,5kg of fish (being exclusively fish caught from the floodplain, rivers and channels) is consumed per household per year (CIECC, 1993).

In the Project Area, the prevailing preference for fish consumers is fresh fish. This might explain why fish processing is not as developed an activity as it might be expected under-the poor conditions of storage and transport of fish. Sun drying of fish is relatively seldom carried out to preserve some excess catch that has not been sold or bartered.

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4.6.5 Culture Fisheries

General Features

In the Project Area pisciculture seems to play a less important role than in other floodplain regions of Bangladesh (IFADEP,1996). This is partly attributed to the lack of suitable sites as far as lowland habitats are considered where fishponds are clifficult to manage due to flooding and intrusion of undesired and predatory fish.

In the medium highlands, however, there is sufficient area for pond aquaculture. Such areas would be both in the western part of the Project Area (e.g. Bonpara, Parkol, Maishbhanga) and in the eastern part (e.g. Chaira Shikar and Hatikamrul).

Fishpond Operation and Production

Pond culture is conducted at a comparatively low level of technology. Many of the fishponds encountered in the Project Area are not well maintained, not to speak of proper stocking, feeding, and fertilising. Almost all pond owners use organic manure while inorganic fertilisers are rarely applied. Supplemental feeding are rarely practised. E,scape of fish from the ponds is not uncommon due to the low degree of maintenance of dykes. Theft is, like in many other regions in Bangladesh, another widespread problem encountered by pisciculturists.

Few ponds are reported to have reasonable annual production figures (amounting up to 1700 kg/ha). In case chemical treatment for pond desinfection is used, the large amount of indiscriminately applied toxins give reason for environmental concerns (FAP- 17,1993; and F.Rajts, IFADEP, personal communication).

If operated on an economic schedule, pond owners use cash fishery inputs like fingerlings, fertiliser, lime and gypsum. Some cultivators with, in general, smaller ponds use no cash inputs. The average amount involved in cash inputs per decimal of pond amounts to some BDT 80 (US$- eq 2> per year. However, the amount varies between nil and BDT 760 (US$-eq 20) per year. The average sales price per kg of fish as reported by the respondents amounted to BDT 37.6 (US$-eq 0.90) (CIECC, 1993). All fish produced in ponds is sold fresh without icing in local markets.

The pond culturists interviewed in three villages earn EDT 2,2483, BDT 3650 and BDT 9,000, respectively, in three villages from the sale of fish (CIECC, 1993). All pond owners interviewed during this survey had income from other sources. Notably there are some ponds in the Project Area are advised by the extension service from Joyshagar Fish Farm which have reportedly achieved with polyculture schemes more than 2500 kg/ha.

Table 4.6.5.1 Total fishpond production in each Thana

Thana Annual sale Annual sale Thana______(weight) in kg in BDT Ullapara 21.791 786.992 Tarash 500 20.000 Gurudashpur 1.110 35.200 Baraigram ...... 17.838i...... 754.910...... Total: 41.239 1.597.102 Source: FAP-17, 1995 andCIECC, 1993

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Pond culture was originally based on wild carp fry collectedlfrom rivers but hatchery technologies for Indian and Chinese Crap have now been fully adapted by the public. Regional hatcheries exist at Tarash, Baraigram, Chatmohar, Ullapara, Neemgachi (Joyshagar Fish Farm and Fisheries Training Center).

Four respondentsreported to have (one of) their pond(s) leased out to others. Nobody reported to have a pond leased in. The area of owned pond ranges from two to 210 decimals per pond having household,this might include more than one pond.

4.7 Small-scale Rural Industries

Apart from paddy cultivationand horticulture,which represent the main types of land use in the entire ProjectArea, there are some small-scaleindustries which are brieflylisted below:

Rice Mills There are about 140 small and medium-sized rice mills in the Project Area. Most of them are located in the areas of Hatikamrul, along the Atrai and Chachkoir rivers. Some of these mills are operated by machines. The automated machines can husk about 300 maunds of paddy per day to produce rice. The rice produced in the larger mills is sent to different parts of the country. Country boats are used in raining season and trucks/lorriesare used in dry season for transportation. These mills are operated mainly in the paddy season. As such they provide seasonal employment opportunityfor the local people.

Potteries These traditional rural industries are run by a particular group of people know as potter or clay modular. There are few families by the side of Salanga (Kaludaha River) and along the Atrai River. The family business usually has long tradition and is the only source of income.

Molasses Molasses are made from the sap of sugar cane. Sugar cane iiscultivated in almost all villages of the Westem part of the Project Area. The major portion of the sugar cane is sold to sugar mills, while small portion is used to produce molasses by traditional method. The molasses are both for self consumptionand for selling.

Local Transport Systems In this region the local transport system has developed much recently.Apart from the public bus system which operates along the main paved roads, township and countryside rickshaw services also operate in the remote part of the Project Area to transport people and different kinds of goods. A sizable portion of the public are engaged in this and earn their livelihood. During the rainy season a large portion of the transporitis managed by country boat services operated by individuals who make their seasonal living out of this occupation.

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4.8 CulturalProperties and Sites of RelligiousSignificance

The Project Area harbors relative few sites which are of cultural importance.

Two Temples were noted within the vicinity of the alignment; one at Salanga on chainage km 8 the other is at Ramkrishnapurnear km 14th.There is only one Eid Gaha at km 49, placed directly next to the ROW.

Throughoutthe alignment the Consultants managed to place the CL in order to avoid cultural sites such as mosques, Eid Gaha, Madrashas, temples and graveyards. In total, there are 8 mosques in the vicinity of the ROW at chainages 4 km, 4+500 km, 6 km, 12+500 km, 14 km, 15 km, 32 km, and 54 km. None of these locations are affected by NHBNR

Graveyards are located at 4 places. They are at km. 11+400, 16+500,30.00 and at 42nd km. These sites are equally located beyond the ROW as care was taken during the choice of final alignment for the new road.

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MAPS used for Baseline Survey and EIA (ThematicGrouping)

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS and AERIAL PHOTOS ...... I...... TopographicMap or Sheets 1:50,000/ 1985-93 Villages, roads,rivers,khals, beels, wells, Sheet78 H/3,HP7, Hill Iongitudes~, latitudes 1 ":1 mile/ 1929-30 Thana Map, wI Mouza Boundaries ...... - ,:-..I...... (Bogra-Pabna-Natorel 1:250.000/ 1973 District Map of alldistricts in ProjectArea Sattelite, Panchromaticand 1:50.000/1983-91 Satellite images,for ProjectArea infrared sheets 78 / H3, 78/ H7, 78/ H 1

ADMINISTRATIVE and INFRASTRUCTURE MAPS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...... Administrative Districts 1:1,000,000 / 1984 District & thana boundaries,road nets and major infrastructures Natore...... District ...... 1: 250,000 ...... / 1980 ...... - dito ...... -, indicatingalso thana union locations. SirajgoniDistrict 1: 250,000 / 1980 - dito -. Mouzas...... 1:3960/ RS 1966-96 Mauza...... boundaries, land plots+nos. .... :f...... : Small Area Atlas 1:136,000/ 1984-90 Union and mauzaboundary, villages, markets, infra-structures, thanaadmin.centres, (all ...... 9 ...... ArcheologicaiSites 1:1.000,000/1988 Archeological% culturalheritage assets

GEOLOGICAL MAPS ...... GeolgicalMap of Bangladesh 1:1.000.000/ 1984 wholeBangladesh geology, soils ...... Soils and physiographic 11:50.000 /1995- Semi-detailedsoil associationand land level of NW-Districtsofs-it!i,,t,,,,,,...... , classificaition ...... asict.on SeismnicZones of Bangladesh 1: 1.000.000 Seismit epicenters

METEOROLOGICAL. MAPS RainfallPattern Meteo Records also indicating meteo recording stations TemperaturePattern ? Cyclone prone zones ? Wind Speeds and Directions ?

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ANNEX C

List of Plants and Animals Encountered in the Project Area

The followingtables sumnmarise the resultsof numerousecological field surveysexcuted by variousteam members (ecologist, zoologist, botanist, fisheries expert) both duringthe dry and monsoonperiod. It containsthe floristiccomposition observed in the ProjectArea as wellas recordsand observationson the majoranimal groups.

Foreach species the followinginformation is given:

* species'names (scientific, English, Bengali) - occurrence * abundance * remarksabout adaptations in relationto the habitat * remarksabout local uses

Contentof Tables:

Cl. HomesteadTrees

C2. NaturalVegetation (Roadside plants, including selectedspecies for embankmentplantation)

C3. AquaticVegetation

C4. Wildlife(macrofauna, except fish)

C5. Fish

EnvironmentalBaseline Survey October1996 C: \ EIA \ BASELINE.DOC I Table Cl: hlomestead Trees

PLANT'SNAME Occurrencein Abundance REMARKS USES ScientificName English Bengali ProjectArea Aeglemarmelos WoodApple Bel Dabirgonj VR Highland;Open habitat, slow Fruit, usedas gastro-intestinal Baraigram growing medicine 'Acacia nilotica Acacia Babla Salanga, FC Highlandand mediumlowland; Fast Timber,Soil binder Bonpara growing Anonasquamosa CustardApple Ata Chaskori, R Highland,Open habitat slow Fruit Gurudaspur growing Aphanomixispolystachya Roina,Pitraj Nalka, R Highland Timber,Construction Golakpur Artocarpusheterophylla JackFruit Kathal Homesteads R Highland Fruit,Timber, leaves are eatenby goats Averrhoacarambola Kamranga Homesteads,all R Highland Fruit,Fuel, treatment against jaundice *Azadirechtaindica Margosa Neem Baraigram, R Highland,Open habitart Medicine,Timber Gurudaspur Bambusabalcooa Bamboo Bora,Borakbans Homesteads C Highland MakingHouse, Pillar B. Iongispiculata Bamboo Bora,Borakbans Homesteads C Highland Fence,Roof thatch Borassusflabellifer FanPalm Tal Homesteads C Highlandand lowland Fruit,Timber, Leaves are usedasfan Roadside Bombaxceiba Cotton Shimul,Tula Baraigram,Sa- FC Highland Cotton,Fuel, Match sticks langa,Dabirgonj Cocosnucifera Coconut Narikel,Dab Homesteads C Highlandand lowland Fruit,Leaves as fuel, Fibre ^Dalberpiasisso Sissoo Sisso Nalka,Salanga, FC Highlandand lowland, medium fast Timber,Fuel Tarash growin. *Erythrinavariegata Madar Homesteads C Surviveunder flood condition, Fast Fuel, Fence growing,grows with little care Eucalyptussp. Eucalyptus Eucalyptus Nalka, F Fastgrowing (exotic) Timber,Fuel Dabirgonj Ficusbenghalensis Fig Krishnabot Nalka,Ghona, F Openhabitat Timber,fuel and shade Roina,Gurudaspur F. religiosa BanyanTree Assawath, Roina, F Openhabitat Fuel,shade Panbot Baraigram Lagerstroemiaspeciosa Jarul Dabirgonj VR Cultivated Timber,omamental Lanneacoromendefica Jiga,Kafila Homesteads C Highland,lowland grows with liftle Fuel,fences care,fast growing Mangiferaindica Mango Am Homesteads C Highlandand lowland Fruits,Timber, Fooder and fuel Moringaoleifera Shaina Chaskoir R Highlandand lowlandfast growing Fruitsand leaves as vegetables Musasapientum Banana Kala Homesteads Highlandand lowland Fruits;leaves are eatenby cows Musaparadisica Plantain Kachakola Homesteads F Highlandand lowland Fruits,leaf sheath as cleaningcloth, leavesare eaten by cows r

Tab. C. I - cont. -

PLANT'S NAME Occurrencein Abundance REMARKS USES Scientific Name English Bengali Project Area Phoenix sylvestris DatePalm Khejur Homesteads F Highland Fruits, leaves used as fence Piper betel Betelnut Pan, Tambuli Baraigram F Highland Leaves used as drug Psidium guajava Guava Peyara, Gaya Baraigram, F Highland Fruit and timber Gurudaspur Ricinus communis Veranda Baraigram R Highland Rhematism;Bank stabiliser and fuel Sesbania canabina Dhanchi Nalka, F Lowland,flood tolerant Fuel, increaseof soil fertility. Gurudaspur ^Syzygiumcumuni IndianBlack Jam, Kalajam Dabirgonj, F Highland Fruit, timber and fuel Berry Hatikamrul Swieteniamahogoni Mahogany Mehogoni FC Highland Timber Tamarindusindica Tamarind Tetul Roina FC Fruits, fuel and fodder Tremaorientalis Jiban Salanga, FC Highland and lowland fast growing Fuel, timber Baraigram Trewia polycaipa Laddu, Medda. Nalka, F Highland,Fast growing Fuel Meddagoda Dabirgonj .

C = Common; FC = Fairly Common; F = Frequent; R = Rare; VR = Very Rare.

Selectedfor slope protectionplantation of NHBNR. Table C2: Natural Vegetation (Roadside and non-cultivated highlands)

PLANT'SNAME Occurrencein Abundance REMARKS USES ScientificName English Bengali ProjectArea 1.HERBS

Achyranthusaspera Apang, Salanga, F Growsin sunand shade Leavesare usedfor Upatlanga Dabirgonj jaundice Amaranthusspinosus Katanoty, Dabirgonj F Soilbinder Occasionallyas fuel Katamiras Cassiatora Tarash,Salanga R Surviveunder dry conditions Fuel,grrazed by sheep Clerodendrumviscosum Bhat, Ghetu Shalonga,Kachikata F Moistand shadyplaces Fuel andRheumatism Commelinabenghalensis Dholpata Baraigram,Gurudaspur R Moistand shadyplaces Crotalariasaltiana Junjhuni Embankmentslope R Dryplaces Fuel Crotonbonplandiana Everywhere VC Slopeand Flatland Euphorbiahirta Ghaopata,Dudhia Everywhere C Lippianodiflora Bhuiorkra,Karoghas Embankmentslope R Dryplaces Medicine Leucasaspera DandaKalash Embankmentslope FC Dryplaces Ludwigiaoctavalvis Labangalang Embankmentslope R Wet places Polygonumhydropiper Bishkatali Embankmentslope F Wetplaces Antihaemorrhagic,fuel Solanumsuratense Kantakini Embankmentslope R Dry places

II. GRASSES ^Axonopuscompressus Everywhere C Widehabitat range Greenfodder, soil binder Cynodondactylon Everywhere C Widehabitat range, soil binder Antiseptic,fodder, Cypenusrotandus Salanga,Kaludaha FC Moisthabitats, river banks Grazingand soil binder Dicanthiumannulatum Kaludahariver bank R Moisthabitats Digitariasanguinaiis Kaludahariver bank R Moisthabitats Eleusineindica Everywhere C Widehabitat tolerance Grazingand soil binder Oplismenusbumminii Dabirgonj,Gurudashpur F Shadeand sandyhabitat Paspalidiumflavidium Salanga R Openhabitats *Veteveriazizanioides Kaludahariver bank R Sunnyand shady, dry habitats, Soil binder

Ill. Shrubs Durantarepenns Kantamehdi Gurudaspur R Highlandand lowland Fence Glycosmispentaphylla Matkila,Datmajan Dabirgonj,Baraigram FC Highlandand lowland Stemis usedfor cleaning teeth lpomoeacrassicaulis Dul Kalmi Nalka,Baraigram, C Lowland;Flood tolerant Fence,Fish attracting Dabirgonj device Sesbaniacanabina Dhanchi Nalka,Gurudashpur, FC Lowland,Flood tolerant (cultivated Fuel,Nitrogen fixing Kachikata,Baraigram in floodedland on partitionwalls) leguminoustree Tab.C.2 - cont. -

PLANT'SNAME Occurrencein Abundance REMARKS USES ScientificName English Bengali ProjectArea IV.Trees (Road Side)

'Acacia nilotica Acacia Babla Ab Growswell Timber,fuel Artocaipusheterophylla JackFruit Kathal FC Growsonly in highland Fruit,Timber Bombaxceiba Cotton Shimul FC Highland Cotton,Match sticks Cocos nucifera Coconut Narikel C Fruit Ficuscomosa Pakur R Shade,fuel F. benghalensis BanyanTree Bot FC Shade,fuel Lanneacoromendelica Jiga FC Growswith little care Fence,fuel Trewiapolycarpa Leddu,Medda Ab Growswith little care Timber,fuel V. RoadSide Plantation (By Govt.) Acacianilotica Acacia Babla Ab Timber,fuel *Dalbergiasisso Sissoo Sisso Ab Timber,fuel Samaneasaman Rain Teimbroir wSwieteniamahogoni Mahogany | Mehogoni l l F | Timber

Ab= Abundant; C = Common: FC = FairlyCommon; F = Frequent; R = Rare; VR = VeryRare.

Selectedfor slopeprotection plantation of NHBNR.

I . , .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table C3: Aquatic Vegetation (Wetlands, Beels & Marshes)

, .. ~~~~PAt NAME . , .....i'""""''m..... :'i...... :, ,,.O'' . '-.'':,''.'''

1.HYDROPHYTES attachedto substratum

Floatingleaves hydrophyles Fishfood Aponogetonappendiculatus Ghechu KuchierBeel R Fodderand compost Hygroryzaaristata JangliDhan KuchierBeel C Vegetableand fish food Nymphaeanouchali Waterlily Shapla ChalanBeel R Fishfood Nymphoidesindica Panchuli KuchiarBeel, Ponds F Fishfood Nymphoidescristata Panchuli KuchiarBeel, Ponds F Vegetableand fish food Telantheraphiloxyroides Ponds F Amphibious

SubmergedHydrophytes water,bank's margin Fruit Otleliaalismoides Kuchkola ChalanBeel R Shallow Fishfood Limnophilaheterophylla KuchierBeel R water Nechamandraaltemifolia RasnaJhangi KuchierBeel R Shallow Tab. C 3 - cont. -

.~ientUkName fing~ftErggI~sb ... I....e~ Ar...... s.A ......

FREEFLOA TING Eichhomiacrassipes Water Hyacinth Kachuri Pana Canal (Ghona) Ab Both in shallow & deep water Fish shelters, water cleaning Echinocloacolonum FloatingGrass Gash KuchierBeel Ab Marginsof wetland Fodder Hydrilla verticillata Kureli Kuchier Beel F Shallowwater, Paddy field Fish food Hygromhyzaanstata Floating Grass Futi gash Kuchier Beel F Hay, fish food Trapa bispinosa Water Chestnut Panifal/Singara Baraigram, F Shallowwater, borrowpits Fruit, fish food Utreculanastellaris Jhangi Kuchier Beel R Shallowwater, Paddy fields

ALGAE Spirogyrasp. Spiral Algae KuchierBeel Ab Scytonema I Salanga F On damp soil

Ab Abundant; C = Common; FC = Fairly Common; F = Frequent; R = Rare; VR = Very Rare. Table C4: Wildlife (Macrofauna, except Fish); Species Name Typical Local Scientific English Bengali Habitat Abundance BIRDS F Alcedoathis CommonKingfisher ChotoMachranga Ponds,River Banks CommonMyna BhatSalik Villages,H, Fields Ab Acridotherestristis R oscillans OpenbillStork ShamukKhor Waterside Anastonus R Anauromisphoenicurus Whitebreasted Waterhen Dahuk Waterside R Ardeolagrayii PondHeron KaniBak Waterside R Buboceylonensis BrownFish Owl MechoPacha Ponds R Bubuleusibis CattleEgret Go Bak Waterside Robin Doel B, H, OF FC Copyschussaulars C Corvussplendens HouseCrow Kak B, H, OF EgreHtaalba GreatEgret BoroBak Waterside FC EgrettagazeHta SmallEgret ShotoBak Waterside FC Egrettaintermedia IntermediateEgret SadaBak Waterside FC FC Dircrurusadsimilis BlackDrongo Pecha B, OF Gallinagohenura PintailSnipe KadakHocha Waterside R WaterCork Kora Waterside R Gathiorexcinerea FC Haliasterindus BrahminiKite Chil OF,Water side lchthyophagusichthyaetus Fish Eagle Kura WaterSide R Meropsorentalis BeeEater Sui Chora B,H R BlackKite BhubanCheel OF,villages C Milvusmigrans C Motacillaalba Pied/White Wagtail ShadaKhanjan B, OF asiatica SunBird Madhuchura B R Nectarinia FC Oriolusxanthorhus BlackheadedOriole Pakhi B HouseSparrow Choroi H, B, OF C Passerdomesticus FC Phalacrocoraxniger Black(Little) Cormorant Pankowri Watersides.lakes philippinensis WeaverBird Babui B R Ploceus R Prophyriophorphyrio PurpleMoorhen Kalem Waterside Parakeet Teya B, H R Psittaculakrameri R Pycnonotuscafer RedventedBulbul Bubbuli B, OF,H Tern Cheel Waterside C Stemaalbifrons R Stretopeliachinensis SpoltedDove Dufi B, OF, H Hoopoe Hudhud OF R Upupaepops C Vanellusindicus RedwaHtledLapwing HotTiti Waterside GreenwattledLapwing Titi Waterside FC Vanellusmalabaricus c Tadornaferruginea BrahminiDuck Chokha Marsh,River R = Rare B = BushtTree; H = HomesteadGardens C = Common; OF = Open Field; FC = Fairly Common Tab C 4 - cont. -

SpeciesName Typical Abundance Scientific | English | Bengali Habitat in ProjectRegion REPTILES Enhydrisenhydris WaterSnake DuraShap Marsh,River C Hemidactylusflaviviridis HouseLizard Tik Tiki H C Najanaja MonocellateCobra GokraShap B, H, Hole R Chitraindica SoftshellWater Turtle ChitraKatchap ponds R Varanusbengalensis GrayMonitor Lizard KaloGui B R Varanusflaviscens YellowMonitor Lizard SonaGui B R

Amphibians Bufomelanostictus CommonToad Bang OF, Marsh,River Bank C Ranacyanophyctis SkipperFrog Bang Marsh,River Bank C

Mammals Bandicotabengalensis Indianmole rat, Bandicoot Indur Hole,OF C Callosciurussp. Squirrel KatBiral H, OF Coniusaureus Jackal Shial B, OF FC Cynopterusspinx FruitBat Badur B, H FC Felichaus JungleCat BanaBiral B R Felisriverina RiverCat RiverBanks R Funumbaluspenanti Squirrel KatBiral B, Hole,OF FC Herpesiesauropunctatus Mongoose B B, Hole FC Lutralutra FishOtter Udbiral Ditches,Rivers R Musboodga FieldMouse Idur Hole,OF C Musmusculus HouseMouse NengtiIdur H C Pipistrelluscoromandra IndianPipistrelle Chamchika H FC Pteropusgiganteus GiantFlying Fox BoroBadur B, H Vulpesbengalensis BengalFox Shial B, OF R

B = Bush; H = HomesteadGardens OF = Open Field; C = Common; FC = Fairly Common; H = House; R = Rare; Table C 5: Fish Species of the Project Area (Catch anid Culture Fisheries)

Fish GroXup - -NameCin-t a :ca* Name Abundane

Prawn Macrobrachiummalcolmsoni Icha C M. dyanus M. birmnanicus M. lamenji Leander styliferus Leptocurpusspp Caridina spp

Hilsa Hilsa ilisha Ilish C

Perch Anabas testudineus Koi FC Colisa fasciatus Kholisha FC Colisasota Soto Kholisha FC Chandabaculis Chanda C Nandus nandus Bheda/ Meni R

Cat Fish Mystus vittatus Tengra FC Mystus tengara Golisha Tengra FC Clarias batrachus Magur R Wallagoattu Boal C Heteropneustesfosslis Shingi FC Ompok bimaculatus Pabda FC

Major carps Labeo rohita Rui FC Catia catla Catla FC Cirrhinus mrigala Mrigel FC

Minor Carps Puntius sophore Puti C Puntfus ticto Tit puti _ FC Danio rerio Darka R Amblypharyngodonmola Mola FC Pseudeutropicusatherinoides Batasi R

Shads Gudusia chapra Chapila FC Conca soboma Kaski R

Snakehead Channa punctatus Taki C Channa orientalis Raga FC Channa stnatus Shole FC Channa manulius Gozar FC

Eel Mastacembelusarmatus Bain C Lepidocephalusguntea Gutum C Xenentodon cancila Kaika FC

C = Common; FC = Fairly common; Ft = Rare

Sources:BAFRU (var. experts, pers. comm.), DOF statistics (1992/93); FAP-17 (1995)