E421 VOL. 9 Wilsol In association with Public Disclosure Authorized IJiE IIIE Phase II - Environment Assessment Report for the Segment of Corridor 13A which passes through Dandeli Wildlife and Anshi National Park Public Disclosure Authorized Project Co-ordinating Consultancy Services (PCC) For the Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project IBRD Loan/Credit No. LN-4114 Belga Wi~~~~~dar Public Disclosure Authorized Karwa.r Mangalor, -g)alore Public Disclosure Authorized Prepared for Gov, of Karnataka Pubi c Works Dept. (PIU,KSHIP) Jqnuary 2005 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Karnataka State Highways Environnmental Assessment Reportfor the Segmenit of Improvement Project Corridorl3A which passes tlroughi Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction Corridor 13A, also known as State Highway 95 (SH 95), commences at Ramanagar junction on NH-4A near Londa in Belgaum District, enters Uttarakannada District and ends at Sadashivgadh, near Karwar, close to the National Highway 17 (NH-17). The total length of this Corridor is 121 Km and it offers c onnectivity to Belgaum, Karwar and Goa. This corridor passes through the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park. Corridor 13A has been selected for rehabilitation under the Kamataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP). 2. Project Road A 28 km section of Corridor 13A i.e from chainage 55.57 Km to 83.41 Km, passes through the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anshi National Park. The corridor traverses buffer and core zones w ith undulating and hilly terrain t hroughout its e ntire length. T he width o f t he e xisting carriageway varies from 3.75m to 5.5m. The section passing through the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is in poor condition due to inadequate maintenance and the absence of an overlay. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) has issued a LOU giving conditional approval for rehabilitation of Corridor 13A through the Park (Appendix A refers). The Kamataka State Pollution Control Board has granted clearance to the Project. About 28 Km of Corridor 13A passes through the National Park. Construction of this section merits the utmost care and safety measures. Construction activities within the Park will include the following: * Scarification of the road surface - bituminous layer. * Removal of debris and scarified bituminous layer. * Movement of Construction vehicles canrving construction materials such as earth-fill, base, sub-base, bitumen, etc. into the Park and removing unsuitable/surplus materials from the Park. * Movement of essential construction equipment such as pavers, road rollers and concrete mixers. * Road pavement laying. * Repair of bridges/culverts. * Maintenance of carriageway for traffic movements. 3. Baseline Environmental Situation The corridor is located in the Westem Ghats edge of the Kamataka plateau and passes through gently undulating and hilly terrain. The high Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) level within the park is mainly due to the poor road condition. Daytime noise levels exceed the limit prescribed for sensitive and residential zones. The water quality of the four water bodies tested indicates that they were within the surface water standard limits. The vegetation in this stretch is a mix of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests with intermittent patches of plantations carried out by the forest department. The typical South Indian type of fauna is seen in this park and is not so diverse as compared to other parks. The animals found in these parks are Elephant, Gaur, Sambhar, Mouse Deer, Tigers, Black Panther and Giant squirrel. A variety of bird species are seen in the Park. Reptiles like Cobra, Vipers, Kraits and Green snakes are also seen in the forests. Three locations have been identified where animal movements have been observed. Eco-tourism is being promoted in a coordinated manner in these two parks. Ulvi village which is about 22 Km from the Project Corridor is famous for its Channabasaveshwara temple. An annual festival is held at Ulvi in February and March. About one-lakh pilgrims participate in this festival. Page i S(011 14Ml/son/CS1/511/E Karnataka State Highways Environmental Assessment Reportfor the Segment of Improvement Project Corrudorl3A which passes through Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park The Forest Department along with the District Administration makes extensive arrangements to regulate pilgrim movement and protect and prevent pilferage of Forest resources during the festival period. 4. Public Consultations Forest Officials including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), NGOs and local community leaders, stakeholders and residents were consulted for their opinions on the present environment problems and on potential rehabilitation of the project road with mitigation measures. About 37 persons were consulted at Kumbarawada and Ulvi places located on project road on 31/12/2002, 01/01/2003 and one interested party at Mysore on 03/01/03. All were in favour of improving the road with adequate protection of the ecology of the parks. 5. Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures The main impacts due to the project on land resources, air quality, water quality, noise levels and safety and most importantly protection and conservation of the wildlife and floral wealth of the National Parks were assessed. Suitable mitigation measures have been formulated to protect the environment and ecology of the national parks. Separate budgetary provisions have been made to augment the forest and wildlife conservation and protection measures in the Park. To mitigate the impacts caused on the Park environment during project implementation, the following measures would be implemented: • The road rehabilitation design has been simplified and the improvements are restricted to the existing formation width with required camber and shoulder strengthening. Traffic calning measures have been included in the road design to enhance the protection of wild life. To ensure the safety of the wild animals crossing the road and to alert and slow down the vehicles approachuig these areas Rumble strips have been included in the design at these locations. * Conditions have been specified in the Bid Documents that make it mandatory on the Contractor to implement environment protection measures in the Park Area that include specific conditions on construction scheduling, storage of aggregate, debris management, site security, p ollution abatement m easures, traffic m anagement and movement of construction vehicles and construction zone and road users safety. * Construction working schedules would be implemented in a manner so that not to impact on the Park's flora and fauna. No construction related activity would be allowed to continue after 4.00 p.m. in the Park area. Adequate signboards and Caution boards would be installed to guide vehicular movement during nighttime in areas where animal movements have been observed. * Approved borrow pits and quarries would be used for construction purposes and must be located outside the National Park. Quarries and borrow pits would be acceptably rehabilitated after completion of the construction work. Static Construction Equipment/Machinery such as Asphalt and Hot Mix Plants, Stone Crushers, etc. would be located outside the Park. * The aggregate and earth material would be properly stockpiled in designated area to prevent erosion and run off related problems. All debris or waste materials would be disposed outside the Park. Construction workers camps would be located outside the Park. The Contractor will ensure that the workforce does not resort to tree felling and collection of firewood or fallen branches in the Park precincts. Construction of Toll gates at entry and exit points and regulating night time traffic . Pa2c 11 Scott Wis on1/CESl1IJ1 KarnatakaState Highways EnvironmentalAssessment Reportfor the Segment of Improvement Project Corridorl3A which passes through Dandeli Wildlife Sanctiuary anid Anshi National Park 6. Integration of Park Management Plan and Park infrastructure augmentation and Conservation under KSHIP: The Karnataka forest department has been involved throughout in the process of preparation of EIA, EMP report. The recommendation of the concerned wildlife wardens and PCCF have been considered in general and also developmental works in Park Area and traffic safety in particular. The KSHIP has explored the various areas where Capital investment can be made to augment the park's forest and wildlife Conservation and Protection Measures and in the process adopt a holistic approach to road rehabilitation and traffic management in conformity to the Management Plan of the National Park. A budgetary provision of about Rs. 39.46 Lakhs has been made under KSHIP to develop Park infrastructure and augment conservation and eco-development activities in the Park. The MoEF while according clearance has supported the mitigation measures suggested by the PCCF and Park authorities. The budgetary provision of Rs. 39.46 Lakhs addresses, the mitigation measures and conditions stipulated by MoEF. Some of the Salient measures are listed in Section 5. 7. Environmental Management Plan An Environmental Management Plan has been formulated in tune with the requirements of the Project Activities and necessity for protection of the ecological resources of the corridor. Activities to be executed both inside and outside the Park have been fully emphasized. All necessary precautions to be taken to protect the flora