BIODIVERSITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

REPORT

INTRODUCTION Ecology is a branch of science which dealing the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment. An ecological survey of the study area was conducted, particularly with reference to listing of species and assessment of the existing baseline ecological conditions in the study area. The main objective of biological study is to collect the baseline data regarding flora and fauna in the study area.

Data has been collected through extensive survey of the area with reference to flora and fauna. Information is also collected from different sources i.e. government departments such as District Forest Office, Government of . On the basis of onsite observations as well as forest department records the checklist of flora and fauna was prepared.

Objectives of Biological Studies The present study was undertaken with the following objectives:

 To assess the nature and distribution of vegetation in and around the project site (within 10 km. radius).

 To assess the animal life spectra (within 10 km radius).

 To achieve the above objectives a study area was undertaken. The different methods adopted were as follows:

(i) Compilation of secondary data w ith respect to the study area from published literature and various government agencies.

(ii) Generation of primary data by undertaking systematic ecological studies in the area.

(iii) Discussion w ith local people so as to elicit information about local plants, animals and their uses.

(iv) Generation of Primary Data. (v) To prepare a general checklist of all plants encountered in study area. This would indicate the biodiversity for wild and cultivated plants.

Phyto-sociological Study A quadrat study was taken for woody and herbaceous flora in core and buffer zone (within 10 km. radius of the mining site).

Ecology of the Study Area Phyto-sociological studies of the region evident that the region is sparsely vegetated. During the field visit, the site is almost barren with few thorny vegetation including shrubs, herbs and trees. Site surveys indicate that the mining activities will have shown impacts on the biological environment. The general topography and vegetation pattern of site is inevitably no changed by proposed mining activities. During transportation, dust will arise due to vehicular movement. Therefore, indigenous plantations are necessary for the restoration of riparian zone (erosional prone zone) and along haul roads and other unworked areas towards improving the biological diversity.

Phyto-sociological Study Plant and animal communities are indicators of the environment. They respond not only to one environmental factor, but also to an interacting group of factors. The plant and animal communities integrates these influences and reacts sensitively to changes in the balance of environmental stresses such as abiotic and biotic factors and anthropogenic activities. This could cause changes in the physiognomy, structure and species composition of the flora and fauna. Ecological integrity is one of the fundamental factors towards attaining a sustainable ecosystem following biological study around the mine lease areas was undertaken to assess the species diversity, distribution and present status of flora and fauna.

Floral and faunal surveys for assessing biological diversity and its status over a period of time form an integral part of impact assessment study. In an environment impact assessment study, identify the baseline of relevant parameters which are likely to be affected as result of operation of proposed project of river sand mining. For this a detailed environmental study has been conducted for river sand mining project in the area.

Vegetation types and its distribution The study was aimed at enumeration of the available plant resources and obtaining a broad representation of the existing floristic variations in the mine lease area and surrounding mine lease areas. Enumeration of the plant wealth was done by surveying the area through walking followed by collection and identification of plant specimens. Phyto-sociological aspects of the study were carried out by perambulating and sampling through quadrates method. Sample plots were selected in such a way to get maximum representation of different types of vegetation and plots were laid out in different parts of the areas within the mine area as well as the surrounding mine area.

Selection of sites for vegetation data was done by random sampling procedure. Accordingly, equal number of quadrates of 10 m x 10 m for the study of tree layer in the mine lease area and surrounding mine lease area were laid. Within these sample plots, sub-plots of 3m x 3m were laid out randomly for studying the shrub layer and regeneration of tree species. For information on ground layer including herbaceous species, quadrates of 1 m x 1 m size were laid out within the tree quadrate.

All species encountered during the transect walk were recorded and their herbarium specimens prepared for identification and future use. The girth at breast height (gbh) of all individuals in each quadrate was measured for all species of trees and woody climbers. All individuals w ith gbh> 10 cm were considered. Individuals below 10 cm gbh were considered as saplings and shrubs. This concept was tested further during the fieldwork. Basal area of plants was measured following Philips (1959). The plants were identified using floras by Haines (1921-25), Saxena and Brahmam (1994-96).

The primary data recorded on number of individuals in a species and girths were utilized to derive secondary attributes like density and frequency following standard phyto-sociological methods of Misra (1968). Relative values were calculated following Philips (1959). Important Value Index (IVI) was calculated by adding up relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance (Curtis, 1959). In the case of shrubs, herbs and saplings; IVI was calculated based only on relative values i.e., relative frequency and relative density. Formulae used for various calculations are:

Total number of individuals of a species

Density (D) = Total number of quadrats studied

Number of quadrats of occurrence % Frequency (F) = x 100 Total number of quadrats studied.

Number of individuals of a species Relative Density (RD = x 100 Total number of individuals of all sp ecies

Number of occurrence of a species Relative Frequency (RF) = x 100 Total number of occurrence of all species

Total basal area of a species Relative Basal Area (RBA) = x 100 Total basal area of all species

Importance Value Index (IVI) = Relative Density + Relative Frequency + Relative Dominance

Flora of Mine Le ase Area (Core Zone) Floristic composition varies depending upon the site and its environmental features and it is one of the major characteristic features of any plant communities. The flora of the mine lease area dominated by Prosopis and Calotropis vegetation consisted.

Biological Environment An ecological study of the ecosystem is essential to understand the impact of industrialization and urbanization on existing flora and fauna of the study area. Studies on various aspects of ecosystem play an important role in identifying sensitive issues for undertaking appropriate action to mitigate the impact, if any. The biological study was undertaken as a part of the EIA study report to understand the present status of ecosystem prevailing in the study area, to compare it with past condition with the help of available data, to predict changes in the biological environment as a result of present activities and to suggest measures for maintaining its health. A survey was conducted to study the flora & fauna in 10 km radius. Some of the information was gathered from the local habitants. All the collected data were classified to interpret the impact of pollution on the flora and fauna of that region. Survey of the wild plants as well as cultivated crop plants was made and all the available information was recorded. Methods used for identifying flora and fauna are given in Table

Sampling Methodology for Flora and Fauna

Taxonomy Sampling Methods Plants Quadrate sampling and enumeration Butterflies Transect, Visual encounter survey Amphibians Visual encounter survey (search) Reptiles Visual encounter survey (search) Birds Point count, opportunistic observation Mammals Tracks and signs, and visual encounter survey

Flora in Study Area A general floral survey was carried out for the study area. List of flora found in the core zone and buffer zone is given in Table

List of Flora in the Core Zone

S .No. Vernacular Name Scientific name Family A. Plants 1. Neem Azadirachta indica Meliaceae 2. Dhak Butea monosperma Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) 3. Gulmohar Delonix regia Caesalpiniaceae 4. Imli Tamarindus indica Fabaceae (Leguminosae) 5. Pipal Ficus religiosa Moraceae 6. Ker Capparis decidua Forsk. Capparidaceae 7. Bargad Ficus bengalensis Linn. Moraceae 8. Babool Acacia nilotica Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) 9. Avla Emblica officianalis Gaerth. Euphorbiaceae 10. Aritha Sap indus emarginatus Valh Sap indaceae 11. Ardu Ailanthus excelsa Simaroubaceae 12. Siris Albizia lebbeck Mimosaceae Shrubs 1. Vilayati babool Prosop is juliflora Mimosaceae 2. Nagphani Opuntia dillenii Cactaceae 3. Aakra Calotropis gigantea Asclepiadaceae Herbs 1. Dhatura Datura metel Solanaceae 2. Badi Dudhi Euphorbia hirta Euphorbiaceae 3. Sunflower Helianthus annus Asteraceae 4. Gokhru Parthenium hysterophorus Asteraceae (Comp ositae) Grasses 1. Anjan Cenchrus ciliaris L Poaceae 2. Gramna Panicum antidotale Petz. Poaceae 3. Dab Impereta cylindrica Linn. Poaceae

List of Flora in the Buffer Zone

S .No. Vernacular Name S cientific Name Family 1 Ronjh Acacia leucopholea Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) 2 Babool Acacia nilotica Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) 3 Ardu Ailanthus excelsa Simaroubaceae 4 Siris Albizia lebbeck M imosaceae 5 Dhok Anogeissus pendula Combret aceae 6 Neem Azadirachta indica M eliaceae 7 Dhak Butea monosperma Fabaceae Papilionaceae) 8 Kassod Cassia siamea Caesalpiniaceae 9 Amaltash Cassia fistula Caesalpiniaceae 10 Shesham Dalbergia sissoo Fabaceae Papilionaceae) 11 Lasoda Cordia dichotoma Boraginaceae 12 Gulmohar Delonix regia Caesalpiniaceae 13 Bargad Ficus benghalensis M oraceae 14 Pipal Ficus religiosa M oraceae 15 Kankera Maytenus arginata Celastraceae 16 Shahtoot Morus alba M oraceae 17 Khajoor Phoenix sylvest ris Arecaceae (Palmae) 18 Ashok Polyalthia ongifolia Annonaceae 19 Karanj Pongamia pinnata Fabaceae Papilionaceae) 20 Khejari Prosop is cineraria M imosaceae 21 Imlis Tamarindus indica Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Shrubs 1 Aakra Calotropis gigantea Asclepiadaceae 2 Aak Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae 3 Kair Capparis decidua Capparaceae 4 Kaner Nerium oleander Apocynaceae 5 Nag phani Opuntia elatior Cactaceae 6 Vilayati babool Prosop is juliflora M imosaceae Ricinus communis 7 Arandi Euphorbiaceae 8. Kans Saccharumsp ont aneum Poaceae Herbs 1. Latjira Achyranthes aspera subsp. argentea Amaranthaceae Achyranthes asp era subsp. 2. Latjira Amaranthaceae Porphyrist achy a 3. Sunflower Helianthus annus Asteraceae 4. Gokhru Indigofera cordifolia Fabaceae(Papilionaceae) 5. Nili Indigofera linnaei Fabaceae(Papilionaceae) 6. Panchpatia Ipomoea pes-tigridis Convolvulaceae 7. Dudhi Sonchus oleraceus Asteraceae 8. Bada Gokhru Pedalium murex Pedaliacae Grasses 1. Sheda Grass Dichanthium nnulatum Poaceae 2. Makra Dactyloct enium aegyptium Poaceae 3. Panghas Eragrostis japonica Poaceae 4. Jangli-jowar Sorghum halepense Poaceae 5. Thread Spranglet op Leptochloa p anicea Poaceae 6. Indian Cupscal Sacciolepis indica Poaceae Grasss

List of Fauna in the Core Zone

S.No. Vernacular Name Scientific name Family S chedule Avifauna 1. Baya weaver Ploceus philippinus Ploceidae Schedule IV 2. Whit e-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae Schedule IV 3. House swift Apus affinis sub sp. affinis Apodidae No mention 4. Rock Pigeon Columba livia Columbidae Schedule IV 5. Red Collared dove Streptopelia ranquebarica Columbidae Schedule IV 6. Indian p eafowl Pavo cristatus Phasianidae Schedule I 7. Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos C o rv i d ae Schedule IV 8. Jungli murga Gallus gallus Phasianidae Schedule IV M am mals 1. Five strippedp alm squirrel Funambulus pennantii Sciuridae Schedule IV 2. Common House Rat Rattus rattus M uridae Schedule V 3. Indian field mouse Mus booduga M uridae Schedule V 4. Hare Lepus nigricollis Leporidae -- R eptiles 1. Common House gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Gekkonidae No mention 2. Orient al Garden lizard Calotes versicolor Agamidae No mention Butterflies 1. Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe Pieridae - 2. Lime Butterfly Papilio polymnestor Papilionidae -

List of Fauna in the Buffer Zone

S.No. Vernacular Name Scientific name Family S chedule Avif au na 1. Red-watt led lapwing Vanellus cinereus Charadriidae No mention 2. Baya weaver Ploceus philippinus Ploceidae Schedule IV 3. Grey francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Phasianidae Schedule IV 4. Common hoopoe Upupa epops Upupidae No mention 5. Indian R oller Coracias benghalensis Coraciidae Schedule IV 6. Whit e-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae Schedule IV 7. Green bee-eater Merops orientalis Meropidae No mention 8. House swift Apus affinis sub sp. affinis Apodidae No mention 9. Rock Pigeon Columba livia Columbidae Schedule IV 10. Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis Columbidae Schedule IV 11. Indian p eafowl Pavo cristatus Phasianidae Schedule I 12. Large grey babbler Turdoides malcolmi Timaliinae Schedule IV 13. Jungle babbler Turdoides striatus Timaliinae Schedule IV 14. Int ermediate egret Mesophoyx intermedia Ardeidae Schedule IV 15. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Ardeidae Schedule IV 16. House crow Corvus splendens Corvidae Schedule V 17. Whit e-bellied drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Dicruridae Schedule IV 18. Common myna Acridotheres tristis Sturnidae Schedule IV 19. Bank myna Acridotheres ginginianus Sturnidae Schedule IV 20. Wire-tailed sw allow Hirundo smithii Hirundinidae No mention 21. Red-rumped swallow Hirundo daurica Hirundinidae No mention 22. Red-whishered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Pycnonotidae Schedule IV 23. Whit e-eared bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis Pycnonotidae Schedule IV 24. Red-vent ed bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Pycnonotidae Schedule IV 25. Large grey babbler Turdoides malcolmi Timaliinae Schedule IV Mammals 1. Five stripped p alm squirrel Funambulus pennantii Sciuridae Schedule IV 2. Common House rat Rattus rattus M uridae Schedule V 3. Grey Musk Shrew Suncus murinus Soricidae - 4. Indian H are Lepus nigricollis Leporidae Schedule IV 5. Indian field mouse Mus booduga M uridae Schedule V 6. Neelgai Boselaphus tragocamelus Bovidae Schedule III Reptiles 1. Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Gekkonidae No mention 2. Orient al Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor Agamidae No mention

3. Yellow-Bellied House Hemidactylus flaviviridis Agamidae No mention Gecko 4. Indian sand boa Eryx johnii Boidae Schedule IV

CROPPING PATERN The climatic conditions of a region affect the agricultural cropping pattern of different areas. Thus, it produces different crops. Amongst a host of climatic factors i.e. rainfall, temperature, humidity, w ind velocity and duration of sunshine etc. affect the cropping pattern in a significant way. Annual rainfall and its distribution over the entire year and the regimes of diurnal and annual temperatures are by far, the prominent factors affecting agriculture and the life style of the people.

Mitigation Me asures The proposed mining operations are not anticipated to raise the concentration of the pollutants beyond prescribed limits. H owever, the following measures are suggested mitigate any harmful impacts of pollutants -  Plantation of trees along haul roads, specially near settlements, to help to reduce the impact of dust on the nearby villages;

 Planning transportation routes of mined material so as to reach the nearest paved roads by shortest route. (minimize transportation over unpaved road);

 Dust mask shall be provided to the workers engaged at dust generation points like excavations and loading points;

 Regular water sprinkling on unpaved roads to avoid dust generation during transportation;

 Transportation of material shall be carried out during day time only;

 The speed of trucks plying on the haul road should limited to avoid generation of dust;

 Haul road shall be covered with gravels; and

 Covering of trucks during material during transportation to prevent spillage from the trucks. The trucks shall be covered by tarpaulin. O verloading shall be avoided.

Me asures for Minimizing Impact on Flora Green Belt Development Green belt & plantation shall be carried out in the lease area w ith a view to provide green belt and to give an aesthetic look, for eliminating fugitive emissions and controlling impact of noise etc. Around 130 trees will be planted till the end of life of mine at different locations i.e. backfilled area, non-mineralized zone; green belt all along the mining lease boundary, quarry edge, roads, office, etc.

This will help in reducing the spread of pollutants and will also be effective in attenuating noise levels .

Me asures for Minimizing Impact on Fauna Following measures will be adopted to minimize the impact of mining on faunal environment of the area.

Measures will be taken to curb pollution in air, water, land & noise environment.

Greenery development around mine area will help in creating habitats for local faunal species and to create better environment for various fauna.

Creating and developing awareness for nature and wildlife in the adjoining villages Impact on Socio – Economic Environment The mining activities in the proposed area will definitely help in the improvement of socio-economic status of the people around the mine area by generating direct or indirect employment opportunities. The project will also attract ancillary and related small-scale industries in the adjoining areas.

Continued mining activities will benefit the local people due to provision of more infrastructural facilities provided by local industry as mining industry will boost up the local market.

Since, the extraction of the reserves of this mineral is economically viable, their proper utilization will improve the economic status of the people nearby and the country as a whole.

The social welfare activities will be handled by a full time team of village development officials, who will monitor the programme and give necessary back-up support. The programmes will be made broad based by involvement of local groups and government agencies to the maximum extent possible.

Me asure to Improve Socio- Economic Condition of Local People With mining activities, local people will have a lot of direct and indirect employment avenues opened up. There will be direct employment opportunities in the mine and also the secondary employment by providing services to the employed manpower. Thus the local people will enjoy the economic upliftment. The following activities will be followed:- • Rural/village & Community welfare, • Healthcare of local population, • Free medical camps, • Literacy awareness, supports to schools etc., • Environment protection and Environment awareness activities like Environment awareness camps, plantation etc. • Social awareness program.

Thus the socio-economic status of the area will be improved .

Fauna To prepare a detailed report on the status of wildlife biodiversity in 10 km radius study area around the proposed river sand mine to assess the impacts due to proposed mining activity and evolve suitable mitigation measures to protect and conserve wildlife biodiversity following components were studied: a) Wildlife survey (diversity) b) Habitat study (feeding, breeding, roosting areas) c) Distribution of birds d) Rare & Endangered species of fauna e) Specific local characteristics of biodiversity in study area

The study on terrestrial fauna in the study area is based on the field investigation and basis of local enquiry from the village people, published reports of Forest Department, literature from Universities and Zoological Survey of (ZSI).

Me thodology for Faunal Study A linear transect of 1 km each was chosen for sampling at each site. Each transect was trekked for 1.5h for sampling of animals through the following methods. For sampling butterflies, the standard ‘Pollard Walk’ method was employed and all the species were recorded daily. Voucher specimens of the species that could not be identified in the field were collected using of a butterfly net besides photographing them. For sampling birds, ‘point sampling’ along the fixed transect (foot trails) was carried out. All the species of birds were observed through a binocular and identified with the help of field guides and photographs. For sampling mammals, ‘direct count on open width (20m) transect’ was used. In addition, information on recent sightings/records of mammals by the villagers and locals was also collected.

TAL CHHAPAR SANCTUARY CHURU (RAJASTHAN)

INTRODUCTION: Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the of Northwestern Rajasthan in the region of India. It is known for blackbucks and is also home to a variety of birds. The sanctuary is 210 km from on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert and situated on road from Ratangarh to . The Tal Chhapar sanctuary lies in the Sujangarh Tehsil of Churu District. It lies on the N okha- Sujangarh state highway and is situated at a distance of 85 km from C huru and about 132 km from . The nearest railway station is C happar which lies on Degana-Churu-Rewari line of North Western Railways. The nearest airport is Jaipur w hich is 215 km from Chappar.

Tal Chhapar is a refuge of the blackbuck.

Total area of this black buck sanctuary is of 797 hectare which lies on both side of Chhapar- Sujangarh road. It is surrounded by Gopalpura, Tal Chhapar (Town), C harwas, Soorwas, Dewani, Rampura villages. In the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, a special type of grass is found. This grass is called Mothiya locally. The word ‘Mothiya’ comes from the word ‘Moti’ or from the English word for Pearl. The shape of the seed of this grass is like very fine round shaped pearls. Mothiya has a very sweet taste. People enjoy eating it, but it is found in very small quantities. Production is only a few kilograms every season. Mothiya is also food for Black bucks and other birds w hich dig it from earth with their Starks. The Tal Chhapar was declared ‘Reserved Area’ for the protection of w ild animals and birds in 1962. Over 2492 black bucks are found in almost tree less saline flat land of Tal Chhapar sanctuary. This is a natural home of black bucks.

GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY The sanctuary is named after Chhapar village which is located at 27°-50' North and 74°-25' East. It is a flat saline depression locally known as a "tal" that has a unique ecosystem in the heart of the Thar Desert. Perched at a height of 302 meters [2] (990 feet) above sea level. Tal Chhaper Sanctuary, with almost flat tract and interspersed shallow low-lying areas, has open grassland with scattered Acacia and Prosopis trees which give it an appearance of a typical savanna. The word "tal" means plane land. The rain water flows through shallow low- lying areas and collect in the small seasonal water ponds.

The geology of the zone is obscured by the wind blown over-burden. Some small hillocks and exposed rocks of slate and quartzite are found in the western side of the sanctuary. The area between hillocks and the sanctuary constitutes the watershed area of the sanctuary. The whole sanctuary used to be flooded by water during the heavy rains but with salt mining going on in the watershed, hardly any rain falling on the hillocks reaches the sanctuary.Near by villages are Jogalia, Jaitasar, Bidasar.

FLORA AND FAUNA The forest of this region falls under major group “Tropical Forest” as per classifications of Indian forests by Champion & Seth. The forest of sanctuary area again falls under the group “Topical Thorn Forest” and sub group 6B/C “Desert Thorn Forests”.

The sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses w ith a very few trees. It lies on the passageway of many migratory birds such as harriers. These birds pass through this area during September. Birds commonly seen in the sanctuary are harriers, eastern imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short-toed eagle, sparrow, and little green bee-eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes, which stay till March. Skylarks, crested larks, ring doves, and brown doves are seen throughout the year. [3] Desert fox and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sand grouse.

Tal C happar Sanctuary comes alive with the chirping of various migratory birds including Montagur's, marsh harrier, pale harrier, imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short toed eagle, sparrow hawk, skylark, crested lark, ring drove, brown dove, blue jay, southern grey shrike, indian spotted creeper, green bee eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes.

In the Tal C hhapar Sanctuary, a special type of grass is found. This grass is called Mothiya locally. The word "Mothiya" comes come from the word "Moti" or from the word for pearl. The shape of the seed of this grass is like very fine round shaped pearls. Mothiya has a very sweet taste. People enjoy eating it, but it is found in very small quantities. Production is only a few kilograms every season. Mothiya is also food for blackbucks and birds which dig it from earth w ith their starks.

The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian antelope. The blackbuck is the sole extant member of the genus Antilope. The species was described and given its binomial name by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Two subspecies are recognized. It stands up to 74 to 84 cm (29 to 33 in) high at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–57 kilograms (44–126 lb), an average of 38 kilograms (84 lb). Females are lighter, weighing 20–33 kilograms (44–73 lb) or 27 kilograms (60 lb) on an average. The long, ringed horns, 35–75 centimetres (14–30 in) long, are generally present only on males, though females may develop horns as well. The white fur on the chin and around the eyes is in sharp contrast with the black stripes on the face. The coat of males shows two-tone colouration: while the upper parts and outsides of the legs are dark brown to black, the underparts and the insides of the legs are all white. On the other hand, females and juveniles are yellowish fawn to tan.

The blackbuck is a diurnal antelope (active mainly during the day). Three kinds of groups, typically small, are the female, male and bachelor herds. Males often adopt lekkingas a strategy to garner females for mating. While other males are not allowed into these territories, females often visit these places to forage. The male can thus attempt mating with her. Herbivores, blackbuck graze on low grasses, occasionally browsing as well. Females become sexually mature at eight months, but mate no earlier than two years. Males mature later, at one-and-a-half years. Mating takes place throughout the year. Gestation is typically six months long, after which a single calf is born. The lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years.

The blackbuck inhabits grassy plains and slightly forested areas. Due to their regular need of water, they prefer areas w here water is perennially available.

Te mperature The period from March to May is one of continuous increase in temperatures. May is generally the hottest month w ith a mean daily maximum temperature of about 41.7°C and mean daily minimum of about 25.1°C. The weather is intensely hot in summer and on some days the day temperature may reach up to 46°C. The highest temperature recorded at Churu is 49°C on 26th May 1998. From N ovember, both day and night temperatures begin to decrease rapidly. January is generally the coldest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at about 22.9°C and mean daily minimum at about 4.6°C. Minimum temperature sometimes drops down to sub zero temperatures and the lowest temperature recorded at Churu is -4.6°C on 16th January 1974.

Wind Winds were observed to be flowing from Calm at daytime and during evenings in summer season; during winter the predominant winds were found to be North West during day and West during night time.

Rainfall Average rainfall in the region is 408.3 mm. About 90 percent of the annual rainfall in the region is received during the southwest monsoon months i.e. June to September. July is the rainiest month on an average 153.4 mm rainfall occurs in the month of July. Maximum rainfall in any one month was recorded in the month of July in year 1978 w hich was about 545.1 mm. July is having maximum number of rainy days i.e. 7.1.

Re lative Humidity Most humid conditions are found in the monsoons, followed by post-monsoons, winter and summer in that order.

CLIMATE This region is characterized by a distinct w inter (from October to February), summer (March to June) and monsoon (July to September). The zone has a dry climate w ith large variation in temperature wind blows south – west during summer. In May and June w inds become very hot and that is called "loo" The maximum temperature reaches up to 48 °C (118 °F) in June and the minimum temperature falls to 10 °C (50 °F) in December – January. The Tal Chhapar Zone comes under the principal arid zone of the country. Rainfall in this region is highly erratic. There is large variation in mean annual rainfall in this region. Average rainfall in this region is about 300 mm