Technical Reports/Books/Manuals
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/7
Browse
20 results
Search Results
Item Conservation plan for biodiversity likely to be impacted by Greenfield Jewar International Airport, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) WIIIndia has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy and is expected to be one of the top three economic powers in the world over the next 10-15 years. India, like other developing countries, is confronted with the dilemma of securing functionality of different ecosystems rang ing from natural to urban habitats alongside the priorities for expanding the transportation infrastructure. Among these, airports are increasing in numbers to cater to the increased demand air travel for effective connectivity across the country. With the growing needs for air travel from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and visualizing its unsustainability in meeting high traffic demand in the future based on the projection, the Government of India has recently initiated a project to build a new airport called "Greenfield Airport" at Jewar, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). The proposed airport covering an area of 1334 ha is within New Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This would facilitate air travel from the region's entire National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, 13 districts of the State of Haryana, eight districts of the State of Uttar Pradesh, and two districts of the State of Rajasthan (Anonymous 2019). With this development and very close proximity to the national capital, it is expected to have several large infrastructure development projects in the landscape. For judicious planning, NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) was created in 1985 to plan the development of the region and to enact harmonized policies for the control of land use and development of infrastructure in the region to avoid any haphazard development of the region as well as conservation of natural resources (Anonymous 1985). The NCRPB's Regional Plan 2021 aims to promote economic grow1h and develop the entire NCR as a region of global excellence http://ncrpb.nic.in/regionalplan2021 .html). On the same lines, the NCRPB has also envisagedincreasing the ambit and has the vision to expand and develop further, for which it is working on a new Regional Plan 2041, which is slated to be, completed soon (http://ncrpb.nic.in). For Greenfield Jewar International Airport (GJIA), Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) was appointed as a nodal agency by the Government of Uttar Pradesh state to execute the land acquisition process and other activities about airport development on behalf of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Government of U.P. The YEIDA has steered a Techno-economic feasibility study by PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited (PwC) and an EIA study by Greenclndia Consulting Private Limited. Based on these studies, YEIDA moved the proposal to the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for obtaining "Environmental Clearance" and this was deliberated in the 42nd Meeting convened on 10-12 July 2019. To bridge the gaps between the development and conservation of natural resources, YEIDA was asked to conduct a study for the preparation of "Conservation Plan for Birds and Fauna" in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for further consideration. With the followup, a technical proposal titled "Conservation Plan for Biodiversity likely to be impacted by Greenfield Jewar International Airport, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh" was submitted to YEIDA forconsideration and it was accepted. Subsequently, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between WII and YEIDA for a study of Phase-Ion 30th August 2019 at shradun, India. The scope of the proposed project was as follows: a. Identify the key sources of impacts and the nature of impacts (direct and indirect, long term and short term and irreversible impacts if any associated with the airport) that would help guide the preventive, ameliorative, and restorative strategies to be adopted in the conservation planning. b. Identify the significant biodiversity values represented by rare, endangered and threatened (RET) floral and faunal species belonging to major taxa (hefpetofauna, birds, and mammals) within the zone of influence of the project. 1-0-1' G c. Assess the vulnerability of habitats and landscape features within a 10 km radius to impacts during different phases of the airport development and the likely implications. d. Prepare a conservation plan for rare, endangered, and threatened (RET) faunal species that is based on preventive and restorative measures for impact mitigation. e. Propose the Phase-II plan (Ten Years) for the "Post-Development Monitoring" for the status of RET species. Consequently, the Wildlife Institute of India mobilized a team of researchers, which started collating desktop-based information on the conservation importance of the taxa and habitats (terrestrial and wetlands) available in the landscape surrounding the airport. We also obtained crucial data, information, and shapefile of the proposed airport from YEIDA. participatory approaches in conservation have played a pivotal role during the last four decades to fulfill human and ecological/environmental goals. Realizing this, we organized a day "Consultation Workshop" with the stakeholders and knowledge partners at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Naida, Uttar Pradesh on 1st February 2020. Around 32 participants attended the workshop from Non-Governmental Organization, Nongovernmental Individuals, and officials from the Forest Department, YEIDA,MoEFCC, and others. We shared and discussed our envisaged framework of the planning process forthe preparation of the "Biodiversity Conservation Plan" with the participants. Based on the valuable suggestions received, we finalized our framework and approaches for the preparation conservation plan. Landscape conservation planning for biodiversity requires the integration of natural wildlife habitats at different scales so as consider the dispersal capacity of various taxa. Based on collated information and suggestion received during the workshop, we prepared the final framework of our approach for the collection of field data for the preparation of the "Conservation Plan for Biodiversity" for the GJIA landscape. We also reviewed the areas of conservation importance at the landscape level around the GJIA site. The landscape falls under Upper-Gangetic Plain and is a part of the semi-arid biogeographic zone. Because of these mixed habitat features, the landscape is endowed with rich biodiversity because of numerous wetlands created along the river Yamuna and the presence of various Protected Areas lmportant Bird Areas (PAs/I BAs) such as Sultan pur National Park, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, and Dhanauri wetland, etc. All these habitats are rich in bird faunal diversity (160 to 300 species) and for migratory birds. Additionally, it has a mosaic of scrub habitats within the agriculture landscape and is the home for two key species of conservation importance besides others such as Indian antelope or Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) which is Schedule I species of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Sarus Crane (Grus antigone). The infrastructure development plan envisaged in the landscape by YEIDA may cause rapid urbanization and land-use changes and may leave its ecological footprint. Thus, it requires the "Cumulative Impact Assessment" (CIA). Therefore. we also consider other areas which may be critical for the biodiversity conservation of this landscape.Item Biodiversity assessment with emphasis on select faunal groups in the Hasdeo Arand Coal Field, Chhattisgarh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) WIIIn India, the coal reserves predominantly occur in the Gondwana sediments of the East Central region in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and parts of West Bengal. The Hasdeo - Arand coal fields comprising of Tara, Parsa, Parsa East & Kente Basan (PEKB), and Kente Extension (collectively known as HACF henceforth in the report) in Chhattisgarh is one of the identified coal-bearing areas. More than 80% of the HACF and the landscape surrounding it is forested. The coal blocks demarcated HACF and the landscape surrounding it mostly occur in the forests. The Ministry of Forests and Climate Change, Government of India under section 2 (ii) of Forest Conservation Act vide F.Bo.8-31/21 O-FC dated 6th July 2011 granted in-principle (Stage I) forest clearance for diversion of 1898.328 hectares of forest land in Parsa East and Kante Besan captive coal block (PEKB coal block) situated in Surguja Forest Division. This approval was given despite the FAC recommending to reject this proposal in FAC meeting dated 23rd June 2011. Subsequently, the Stage II final forest clearance was granted by Government of India vide MoEF&CC's letter no 8-31 /2010/FC dated 15th March 2012. Aggrieved by the clearance granted by the MoEF&CC, an appeal no 73 of 2012 (Sudiep Shrivastava Vs Union of India Ors) was filed in the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) principal bench in Delhi. The Hon'ble NGT pronounced its judgement on 24th March, 2014 directing MoEF&CC to seek a fresh advisory from the FAC with emphasis on seeking answers to the following questions: (reproduced from the order) - (i) What type of flora and fauna in terms of bio-diversity and forest cover existed as on the date of the proposal in PEKB Coal Blocks in question. (ii) is/was the PEKB Coal Blocks habitat to endemic or endangered species of flora and fauna. (iii) Whether the migratory route/corridor of any wild animal particularly, elephant passes through the area in question and, if yes, its need. (iv) Whether the area of PEKB Block has that significant conservation/protection value so much so that the area cannot be compromised for coal mining with appropriate conservation/management strategies. (v) What is their opinion about opening the PEKB Coal Blocks for mining as per the sequential mining and reclamation method proposed as well as the efficacy of the translocation of the tree vis-a-vis the gestation period for regeneration of the flora (vi) What is their opinion about the Wildlife Management plan finally prescribed. (vii) What conditions and restriction do they propose on the mining in question, if they favour such mining? The judgement granted liberty to FAC to get expert opinion/specialized knowledge/advice from authoritative sources such as Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (lCFRE), Dehradun or Wildlife Institute of India (WII). This judgement of the Hon'ble NGT and stage-I clearance granted for prospecting over 1745.883 hectares of forest land of Kente Extension coal block for exploration of coal reserves vide MoEF&CC letter No. F.No 8-46/2017 -FC dated 19th December 2017 impose a condition that a biodiversity assessment study for entire HACF would be conducted by the State Government of Chhattisgarh through ICFRE, Dehradun in consultation with the WII. The condition is reproduced for reference: "(ii) A biodiversity assessment study is to be conducted by the state government through ICFRE, Dehradun in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for the whole Hasdeo Arand coal field comprising of Tara, Parsa, Parsa East, kante to be funded by M/s Rajashthan Rajya Vidyut ll Page Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL). The study is to be awarded by the state Government by associating the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dehradun or Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and integrated wildlife management plan (IWMP) will be prepared and conservation area will be identified and mitigation measures will be recommended by the expert committee. The cost of the study and cost of implementation of the recommendations shall be borne by the Mis Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL). The report will be submitted within two years". The main objectives of the biodiversity assessment that ICFRE and WII would jointly focus include: a. Provide details of flora & fauna with special reference to endemic threatened species reported from the study area b. Describe the habitat for such endemic/threatened species and identify likely threats for conservation c. Details of migratory route corridor critical areas for wildlife species especially umbrella species like elephants and tigers d. Document socio-economic values of the affected area vis-a-vis biodiversity values e. Consult with forest department officials, local communities in HACF and f. Identification of conservation areas within HACF Consequently, the biodiversity assessment focusing on faunal aspects of HACF was carried out by WII with ICFRE as the nodal agency for the overall assessment. The biodiversity assessment focusing on faunal aspects carried out by WII in the HACF and the landscape surrounding it using on-foot sign surveys and camera trap surveys (for mammalian baselineassessment); transect surveys (for avifaunal baseline assessment), ad libitum sampling for Herpetofaunain conjunction with secondary data and information obtained from Chhattisgarh Forest Department andthe village interview surveys established the ecological baseline information on faunal biodiversity. It isenvisaged in the ToR that impact assessment would be done for the Hasdeo-Arand coal fieldcomprising of Parsa, Parsa East & Kente Basan (PEKB), Tara Central and Kente Extension coal blocks. Of the four coal blocks mentioned, only PEKB is currently operational. Therefore, Wil's impact assessment (Chapter-7), mitigation of impacts (Chapter-S) and preparation of biodiversity conservation and management plan (Chapter-g) focuses on PEKB coal block. Nevertheless, landscape-level suggestions for managing wildlife in HACF and the landscape surrounding it have been detailed in the report. Opencast mining and associated developmental activities in forested habitats could potentially affect a variety of taxonomic groups. Nevertheless, measurement of every aspect of biodiversity in forested landscapes that span several hundred squares kilometers of mosaic habitats in a short period of time is seldom easy. In order to overcome this constraint, short-cut approaches that focus on monitoring large mammal populations, which serve as keystone, flagship or umbrella species have been advocated. As biodiversity assessment, impact assessment and mitigation strategies are to be studied at a landscape level, this study emphasized specially on the "umbrella species concept". The umbrella species concept is a globally accepted concept wherein conservation efforts targeted for a well -chosen representative species can confer a protective umbrella to numerous other co-occurring species in the landscape. Asian elephant and tigers serve as umbrella species in the tropical forested landscapes. Both tigers and elephants are long ranging and have specific ecological needs. Understanding the ecological requirements of these species can augur well for all other species found in the landscape.The results of the assessment show that HACF and the landscape surrounding it is rich in fauna. The HACF and landscape surrounding it supports over 25 species of mammals. The mammals of the Order Chiroptera and Rodentia (except for Ratufa indica that is included in the list) were not surveyed as that would require a long term duration and thus, the number of species reported in the assessment is best considered minimal. Among the mammal species recorded the Hasdeo - Arand area, nine species are listed in the Schedule - I, which are accorded the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Mammalian species diversity includes threatened large carnivores like common leopard, Indian grey wolf, striped hyena, sloth bear, and others that appears to be widely distributed as evidenced by camera trap captures as well as detections during sign surveys. The Hasdeo Arand area is spread across three districts, viz. Surguja, Surajpur and Korba. The Korba district has two Forest Divisions (FD) viz. Korba FD and Katghora FD. The Korba FD had reported occurrence of tigers. The habitat connectivity between HACF along with the landscape surrounding it, and Achanakmar TR, Boramdeo WS and Kanha TR is strong, and may support sporadic tiger dispersal. Elephant occurrence was reported by the Forest Department in 148 out of 647 compartments in HACF and the landscape surrounding it with an area of 363.98 km2 during the period 2018 to 2020. The elephant occurrence is not restricted to any particular area and is spread across the landscape (Map- 21 , page 56). A conservative estimate of about 40 to 50 elephants could use different parts of the landscape at different times of the year. Human-elephant conflict in the form of crop losses and occasional property damage is widespread too. Elephant conservation and management in the landscape hinges on effective conflict resolution strategies by actively engaging with local communities and at the same time enriching the habitat condition for elephants. Chhattisgarh human-elephant conflict situation is a paradox with a relatively low number of elephants «300, which is <1 % of India's wild elephant population) but high levels of HEC with over 60 human lives are lost every year due to conflict (>15% of the reported human deaths due to HEC). In addition to loss of human lives, crop loss and damage to property due to HEC are severe. There is continuous dispersal of elephant herds from the neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Odisha. The study carried out by WII in collaboration with Chhattisgarh Forest Department from the year 2017 onwards clearly highlight that elephants have large home ranges. The forests that elephants currently occur are highly fragmented and degraded due to incompatible land-use. Infrastructure development and mining are further fragmenting the habitats making conflict mitigation a huge challenge. In fragmented habitats conventional fencing approaches minimally work due to high perimeter to area ratio of habitats. The EC region harbours less than 1/10th « 3000) of country's elephants, but loses over 40% (over 200HEC-related deaths) of reported 500 HEC-related human fatalities in the country. The HEC-related human fatalities reported in the region are highly disproportionate to its elephant population in the country. The increasing levels of HEC have resulted in considerable public resentment against the management and elephant conservation as a whole. HEC resolution is challenging in EC region due to fragmentation, loss and degradation of intact elephant habitats. In highly fragmented areas, the elephant home ranges tend to be large as small, degraded forest patches cannot sustain herds. It is observed that home range size is a function of habitat quality - in areas that support good intact habitats, the elephant home ranges are relatively small (eg. Rajaji, Mudumalai etc). However, in fragmented areas, elephant home ranges are typically large. The elephant herds are generally interlinked and home ranges spread over two or more states. One of the main reasons as to why elephants start dispersing into human-use areas is the threat to habitat. In particular, threat to elephant home ranges. While threat to habitat can be identified and sometimes even addressed, threats within individual home ranges of elephants are hard to evaluate and hence, difficult to mitigate. The latter threats are more insidious and lasting. Major disturbances to habitats such as mining not only cause habitat loss and fragmentation (as understood generally) but can affect individual herd's home ranges. Such disturbances can lead to abandonment of habitats as threats to home ranges have a threshold limits. The effect of mining on elephant habitat may not reflect in the same habitat, but could be a silent trigger for HEC in some other area within the landscape. In general, one of the reasons for HEC being disproportionately high in EC region is the elephant dispersal from forest habitats through fragmented human use areas. This large scale elephant dispersal out of intact forests coincide with commencement of large-scale mining projects and associate infrastructure developments in the EC region, particularly in the states of Odisha and Jharkhand. During the biodiversity assessment, a total of 92 species of birds were recorded with in HACF and the landscape surrounding it. The list is best considered minimal. As per the ebird (https:/Iebird.org/) a total of 406 species of birds have been reported in the three districts of Surguja, Surajpur, and Korba - the districts in which the HACF and the landscape surrounding it occurs. It is quite likely that many of the species of birds reported in HACF either use or pass through it. However, it may be noted that HACF and the landscape surrounding it just supports - 12.4% of the combined area (- 15,110 km2) of the three districts. Local communities in HACF and the landscape surrounding it are predominantly tribal. The livelihood of local communities is closely dependent on forest resources. The NTFP collection (of four major commodities) contribute nearly 46% of the monthly income reported by the households. This does not include the fuelwood, fodder, medicinal plants, water and other resources that local communities collect from the forests. If such resources are pooled as income to local communities, it may be conservatively mentioned that over 60 to 70% of the total annual income of local communities come from forest-based resources. Thus, forest dependence substantially adds to income security of local communities. In addition to financial gains, forest produce collection is critical for medicine, food and other health benefits thereby providing food security and overall well-being. The local communities have reported coming across a variety of wildlife in and around their settlements. A few respondents (n = 4) have even sighted tiger in and around their settlements. They expressed concern about human-wildlife conflict involving crop losses, loss of livestock, loss of property and occasional loss of human lives. Garnering the support of local communities for wildlife conservation would be conditional on addressing human-wildlife conflict on a real-time manner. In general, the local communities are apprehensive of mining, which is perceived as a threat to livelihood as the land as well as forests are lost in the process of mining. The community respondents interviewed expressed concern and were anxious over loss of forests (and consequently material base for livelihood) and loss of land due to mining. The loss of forests due to mining is perceived as a direct threat to livelihood by the local communities. The local communities express positivity towards forest conservation and at the same-time insist on timely resolution of human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation initiatives in the landscape need to be participative and actively involve local communities. Considering this, as part of the biodiversity assessment, and as envisaged in the ToR of the study, the impact of the ongoing mine of PEKB in the HACF has been assessed. It may be noted that the impact assessment carried out by WII for PEKB coal block is not a true Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as PEKB coal block is already operational covering nearly 1000 hectares of the 1898 hectares cleared for mining. Coal extraction is already being done and is in operational stage. Therefore, visualizing the true picture of the likely impacts on the physical environment as well as the wildlife the area supports is not possible. Nevertheless, selected impacts of the physical environment that are likely to impact directly on select biodiversity and social values in the PEKB operation have been identified. For this purpose, the faunal biodiversity list provided by Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) as part of the EIA for PEKB (IIFM, 2009) was used as the baseline for evaluating the impacts. In general, the impact assessment methods argue that the foremost step in impact appraisal must consider and identify project actions that are likely to bring significant changes in the project environment. Such impacts include: physical, biological and social environments. The potential impacts due to ongoing mining operations of PEKB on physical environment, fauna and local communities have been elaborated. The possible mitigation strategies for addressing the impacts of PEKB include progressive restoration, development of grass and leaf fodder plots, livelihood options to increase income sources, bio-filter check dams in the streams of the project sites, green-belt development - phytoremediation, development of "Green Gallery Belt", eco-restoration of waste dump, construction of underpasses, construction of pipe and box culverts as safe passages in the roads as mitigation strategies for reducing road mortality. The detailed mitigation strategies have been provided. The biodiversity conservation and management for PEKB focusing on species groups, threatened plant & animals, resource base of local communities along with the social values have been given. The Human-Elephant conflict mitigation strategies in the HACF and surrounding landscape should include the following: 1. Maintaining the ecological integrity of intact natural habitats without fragmentation and degradation is critical. Any additional mining leading to loss of habitat would escalate HEC unpredictably high 2. Formation of landscape-level Rapid Response Teams by engaging village youth with adequate remuneration is essential. The RRT members should be adequately trained in elephant behaviour and conflict management methods. 3. Judicious use of mobile barriers in select areas of HACF and surrounding landscape where HEC is high need to be experimented with active community participation. 4. Ex gratia payment for crop, property and other losses due to elephants have adequate and timely. The overall process of filing and obtaining compensation by villages should be made smooth and transparent 5. Habitat enrichment by improving surface water availability in carefully selected locations, development of grasslands and fodder base based on the list of plants suggested in the report and protection of critical micro-habitats such as riparian tracts are critical (Refer Table 9.23). 6. Human-elephant conflict is dynamic in nature. The above mentioned mitigation measures need to be experimented in smaller areas and based on the evaluation of efficacy can be scaled up. As certain portions of the PEKB block has already been opened for mining, the miningoperation may only be permitted in the already operational mine of the block. The other areasin HACF and landscape surrounding it should be declared as Uno-go areas" and no mining should be carried out considering the irreplaceable, rich biodiversity and socio cultural values. The HACF and the landscape surrounding it support rich biodiversity with a multitude of mammalianspecies including elephants and also harbours forest-dependent communities. Therefore, sustaining the forest cover and maintaining its overall ecological integrity is essential. It is pertinent that Chhattisgarh Forest Department with due consultation and involvement of local communities identify areas within HACF and the landscape surrounding it for declaration as Conservation Reserve (CR) under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Under the ambit of a CR, habitat improvement activities such as restoration of grasslands and restoration of degraded forests; improving surface water availability in relatively drier tracts during summer, regulating forest fires, and improving overall protection can benefit biodiversity. 2 The response pertaining to this query shall be provided by ICFRE as it deals with nora and efficacy of translocation of the tree vis-a-vis the gestation period for regeneration of the nora The coal mines along with the associated infrastructure development would result in loss and fragmentation of habitat. Mitigating such effects on wildlife, particularly the animals with large home ranges such as elephants is seldom possible. The human-elephant conflict in the state is already acute and has been escalating with huge social and economic costs on the marginal, indigenous local communities. Any further threat to elephants' intact habitats in this landscape could potentially deflect human-elephant conflict into other newer areas in the state, where conflict mitigation would be impossible for the state to manage. Opening up of coal blocks for minging in the HACF would compromise the imperatives of biodiversity conservation and livelihood of forest-dependent local. Even the effects of the operational PEKB mine need to be tactfully mitigated too, wherever possible. The assessment findings are in conformity with the study undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change across nine coal fields across the country during the year 2009, where it was concluded that the Hasdeo-Arand coal fields in north-central Chhattisgarh is identified as a 'no-go' area. The findings of this joint study of 2009 culminated into an important policy decision towards facilitating an objective, transparent and informed decision regarding forest lands being diverted for coal mining projects. However, the findings of the study were set aside during 2011 . Considering the need to reconcile country's developmental needs with conservation priorities, the recommendations of the 2009 joint study holds substantial importance for ecologically balanced sustainable growth.Item Transportation essentials for Asian elephants : technical manual(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Uttarakhand Forest Department, 2021) WIITransportation of both captive and wild elephants is a necessity For a variety of management reasons. However, unplanned and poorly executed transportation can cause enormous stress to the elephants, jeopardize their safety and compromise their well-being. Such operations can also pose considerable risks to the Frontline staff, elephant handlers, veterinarians and other support personnel involved. In order to minimize risks to both elephants and the personnel involved, meticulous planning and consideration of a number of critical points are essential. Proper justification of the need to transport elephants is crucial. Equally critical is the need to evaluate availability of trained manpower with adequate experience and other essential resources to safely transport elephants. Although elephant transportation is not uncommon, precautionary measures to be considered and best practices to be Followed to minimize the risks to both the elephants and the personnel involved are not readily accessible For the field managers. The Frontline managers at the helm of the operations are often handicapped when such ready references are not available. Acknowledging this lacuna. this document aims at aiding managers dealing with captive and wild elephants to be better prepared to safely transport elephants. The document IS intended For veterinarians, wildlife biologists, and field officers working in the field. It details the preparatory essentials For elephant transportation, aspects of loading and restraining elephants, safety considerations, vehicle preparation For the travel and veterinary considerations. Considering that there are Rapid Response Teams IRRTs) at most conflict-prone Forest jurisdictions, this manual hopes to aid the RRT to be prepared to handle elephants during conflict situations.Item Mitigation measures for doubling of the Tiniaghat-Castlerock-Caronzol, SWR Railway track, Karnataka(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) WIIThe Indian Railway network, spread across 1,23,542 km (as of 2018-2019), is a vital component of transportation infrastructure since its inception in 1850. The railways have been pivotal in integrating markets, increasing trade, shaping finances besides serving as the backbone of linear transportation services. Even though railways are regarded to be an environmentally friendly option when compared to other forms of linear infrastructure, the development and expansion of rail networks pose challenges to the environment and biodiversity of the forest areas it passes through. Railways can pose both physical and behavioral barriers to wildlife and have negative impacts such as disturbance and mortality on populations living in proximity. The Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has proposed the doubling of the existing railway track between Hospet, Tinaighat, and Vasco Port that measures 345 km in length. The sanctioned project consists of 2 main phases: doubling of a line between Hospet and Tinaighat (Phase I) and between Tinaighat and Vasco (Phase II). At present, the existing single line limits the capacity of running trains in the critical ghat (hilly) section. Given the terrain of the region, landslides during the monsoons interfere with the functioning of the line. RVNL has justified the doubling of the railway track by stating that in addition to improving mobility and all-weather rail links in the region, the proposed doubling would also increase connectivity, trade, and commerce, enhance tourist flow, augment intermediate railway station facilities, and reduce bottlenecks of railway traffic in the ghat section. The Western Ghats that extend along the south-western parts of India, is known to harbour a wide diversity of flora and fauna and is one of the four biodiversity hotspots of the Indian subcontinent. In terms of faunal diversity, the area is home to about 30% of Asian elephant population, about 33% of India's wild tiger population and about 26% of India's leopard population (Jhala et aI., 2019; Jhala et aI., 2020). The landscape forms one of the largest and most contiguous protected area networks in the country. Within the Western Ghats, the Anshi-Dandeli-Sharavathi Valley complex consists of the protected areas of Mollem-Netravali, Anshi-Dandeli, Sharavathi Valley-Mookambika along with reserved forests of Goa which continue to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. The major tiger source population in the complex is that of the Anshi National Park and Dandeli WLS (Qureshi et aI., 2014) that together form the Kali Tiger Reserve. Among the important tiger source populations in the landscape is the Anshi and Dandeli tiger population that provides a critical link to the northern Western Ghats, extending up to Goa and South Maharashtra (Sahyadris), which is threatened by anthropogenic activities such as land-use conversion and construction of linear infrastructure. The landscape is also home to 252 species of amphibians with 90% endemics, 108 species of reptiles with 56% endemics (Dahanukar & Molur, 2020; srinivasulu et al. 2015), and about 600 species of evergreen woody plants with more than 60% endemic. In the past decade, more than 100 species of amphibians and -50 species of reptiles have been discovered from Western Ghats (Aengles et aI. , 2018; Dahanukar & Molur, 2020; reptiledatabase.org). The area where the railway doubling is proposed falls in the Uttara Kannada region of the northern Western Ghats which is known to harbor approximately 50 species of amphibians that constitute almost one-fourth of the total Western Ghats amphibian diversity (Ramachandra et aI., 2012). The approved alignment of the proposed line is parallel to the existing railway line and mostly lies within the railway land. However, the new railway (i)line is deemed to pass through the Kali (formerly Anshi-Dandeli) Tiger Reserve in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka and would impact the ecosystem during the construction and operational phase. Considering the irreplaceable ecological importance of the landscape and the critical link it provides for the Western Ghats, the project was required to obtain environmental clearance that included an environmental impact assessment study and a mitigation plan to reduce, offset and mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed doubling. A biodiversity assessment for the proposed line was then conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) during the years 2017-2020. Environmental and Biodiversity Assessment by IISc Two environmental assessment reports were submitted by IISc (Sukumar and Sitharam, 2017 and Suresh et aI., 2020), detailing the floral and faunal studies of the project area in two stretches of the proposed railway track (Kulem to Castlerock, and Castle rock to Tinaighat). The authors carried out detailed assessments on the vegetation of the area during both study periods, and the structu ral and functional aspects of vegetation, and forecasts of a loss of vegetation in alternative rail alignment scenarios were reported. For mammals, sign surveys, camera trapping, and opportunistic sightings were recorded to assess the presence of mammals near the railway track and to identify areas of high animal activity and movement. As a result, stretches of railway tracks specified by chainages and critical animal crossing zones were reported. General recommendations for mitigation were proposed for such areas. For the herpetofaunal component, the studies documented the diversity and rail kills of amphibians and reptiles in and around the study area. However, no specific mitigation measures were provided aimed at reducing the impacts on amphibians and reptiles. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was subsequently requested to undertake the task of proposing mitigation measures for the proposed railway track doubling project by the DIG (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India vide Letter F. No. 6-55/2020WL(part) dated 28th August, 2020 recommending that "detailed study for prescribing mitigation measures in this difficult terrain may be conducted by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. The study may cover the entire 25 km stretch of the project area from Castlerock in the Kamataka side to Kulem in Goa. The objective of the study by WII was to assess the length of existing and proposed railway track to suggest site-specific mitigation measures that will reduce the barrier effect, (ii) allow permeability for wildlife movement across the railway, and minimize rail-induced mortality. We carried out a rapid survey from 19th November to 5th December 2020. The main aims of the exercise were: 1. To assess potential animal crossing zones along the existing and proposed railway track. 2. To carry out inventory of herpetofauna along the railway track, identify potential microhabitats along the track. 3. Coalesce information obtained from field survey with baseline data in IISc assessment reports (2017, 2020), and 4. Suggest site-specific mitigation measures based on the intensive track survey, information obtained from field study and IISc reports. To identify potential animal crossing zones, we carried out camera trapping and sign surveys along the railway tracks. We also used rail mortality data from the Karnataka forest department and any opportunistic sighting or sign encountered during the survey to identify such areas. Visual encounter surveys, opportunistic surveys, stratified plot sampling, and collection of opportunistic rail kill data to assess the herpetofaunal diversity and identify critical zones for mitigation. We also surveyed the entire length of the existing alignment accompanied by a railway engineer to assess the proposed rail alignment, and review the crossing and drainage structures proposed by the railways in terms of suitability for animal crossing. The scope of constructing additional mitigation structures based on topography, probability of animal movement and engineering constraints was discussed on field. Summary of results Camera trapping spanning 660 trap nights yielded 156 captures of 17 mammals species along the railway track. We recorded 203 animal signs through sign surveys of 175 habitat plots near the railway track. A total of 47 species of herpetofauna was recorded during the survey. This number is expected to be higher since the study was conducted within a short period during the non-breeding season. The study revealed that perennial and seasonal streams, and ephemeral water bodies were crucial habitats for herpetofauna. Camera trap data indicated that tunnels along the railway track are being used as natural passages by animals for their movement across the landscape. Hotspots of animal activity were visualized by overlapping all animal signs, sightings, photo-captures and mortality data using kernel density analysis on GIS-platform. These were then combined with the hotspots identified in the IISc reports, and potential multi-taxa animal crossing zones were thus delineated. Mitigation measures for the rai/way track Mitigation measures for the proposed railway track evolved through a multi-step simultaneous process. We first evaluated the existing and proposed drainage and crossing structures on field, assessed the possibility of making the structures more suitable for wildlife movement and constructing additional non-drainage crossing structures, and finally overlapped potential multi-taxa crossing zones to finalise the location and dimensions of the crossing structures.Item Priority areas for ecological assessment along samruddi corridor, Maharashtra, India: preliminary report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) WIIGlobal conservation strategies depend strongly on the creation and strengthening of the protected area network. However, several protected areas are facing new challenges of development In their surroundings leading to habitat f fragmentation and species loss. Roads are essential transport infrastructure to support India's endeavors of fulfilling vital transportation needs across the country. In the last decade, negative impacts of road network has been significant. .Special attention. is therefore required to protect wildlife values like corridors and distribution ranges of wildlife species that overlay the alignment of the expressway. The task, therefore, is to foresee conservation beyond protected areas that undergo modification due to growing infrastructural development, which eventually exerts pressure on protected areas. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has proposed to build a smart green expressway connecting Nagpur to Mumbai. The highway aims at strengthening the rural agriculture sector while enhancing mobility. Although, the proposed alignment does not cross through any existing protected areas nevertheless MSRDC has envisaged developing the road as wildlife friendly infrastructure aiming at conservation outside protected area network. The objective of this report is to assist MSRDC and Government of Maharashtra in addressing ecological concerns at an early stage of planning the highway for safeguarding wildlife values. The preliminary report by the Wildlife Institute of India provides a framework for the protection of wildlife along the proposed alignment (701 km) of Nagpur Mumbai expressway, Maharashtra, India. This report aims at developing a roadmap to assess and evaluate ecological implications of future road development in the landscape with special emphasis on wildlife corridor function. Relevant mitigation measures shall avoid these impacts (direct, indirect and cumulative) of road infrastructure on various wildlife taxa and their habitats within the three landscapes of Maharashtra. The consecutive assessments conducted post this report will provide a strategic mitigation plan to present and minimize impacts of the proposed expressway on ecological habitats and wildlife. The Nagpur-Mumbai expressway is planned to be the first of Its kind project, where mitigation measures for wildlife are planned before? the road is built. This report helps in identifying the Important wildlife habltats that may require further assessment to design appropriate mitigation structuresItem Environmental Impact Assessment study on flora and fauna in Narmada Canal project Rajasthan(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) WIIItem Ecological assessment of sites designated for collection of sand and bouders from river beds of Uttarakhand : study report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) WIIEconomic development invariably requires resources. Extraction of resources from the environment involves changes in the state of the environment. Hence, our ability to integrate development and ecological integrity can help in making informed decisions without affecting the ecological values of the ecosystem. The Riverbed Materials (RBM) are renewable resource which are abundantly used as construction materials. RBMs are byproduct of the massive sediment load and deposition that the rivers carry along the course of its flow. In Uttarakhand, most rivers that run through bhabar tract are targeted for their rich deposition RBM ( sand and boulders). Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation (UAFDC) has proposed extraction of RBM form different rivers in Uttarakhand. Under the direction of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), vide letter No.11-329/2010-FC, dated 16 November 2010 the Wildlife Institute of India has carried out a study to assess the impact of RBM collection in six rivers (Kosi, Dabka, Nihal, Gola, Sharda and Kiroda Nullah). Subsequently, vide its let No. 8- 80/93-FC (pt.), dated 26 November 2010 the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India directed to add two more sites; viz. Tons and Yamuna Rivers at Kalsi and Rampur Mandi respectively in Chakrata Forest Division. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the study are as under: 1. Assessment and identification of the adverse impacts, if any, of the collection of sand, boulder and other minor minerals on wildlife and its habitat; 2. Identification of the appropriate ameliorative measures to eliminate if possible, or minimize to the extent possible, the identified adverse impacts of the collection of minor minerals on wildlife and their habitat; 3. Identification/ delineation of the migratory corridors in and around the area proposed for collection of minor mineral; 4. Assessment and identification of the adverse impacts, if any, of the non-collection of sand, boulder and other minor minerals from the area identified as corridor on river geometry and soil erosion pattern along the adjoining river banks; and 5. development of an appropriate plan for management of the identified migratory corridors. Such plan inter-alia may include restriction on collection of minor minerals for major part of the year, with a provision of periodic accelerated collection (preferably during the period having least frequency of wildlife movement) to maintain river geometry.Item capture and tagging of black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) and Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) in Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir, 2014) WIIModern satellite tracking techniques aid to study precise migration paths, stop over sites and habitat utilization. There is no information is available on migration patterns of water birds in Ladakh. Therefore we conducted a satellite based telemetry study on Black-necked crane (BNC) and Bar-headed goose (BHG) in Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary. We initially did a reconnaissance survey, we counted 57 cranes and 182 geese in sanctuary, based on which; we shortlisted Chushul, Hanle and Rhongo mashes for capture and tagging of birds. We captured four BHG at Chushul using noose traps, two of them fitted with Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTT) and with conventional neck bands and rings. Whereas two other BHG were collared with only conventional neck bands and tagged with tarsus rings. We also fitted two BNC with PTT and tarsus bands, first at Chusul and second at Rhongo. Till date we received 810 locations with different location classes through ARGOS out of which 558 locations from class 3, 2, 1 & 0 were used for analysis. Preliminary findings revealed that maximum distance travelled by PTT fitted cranes from date of tagging till December 2013 ranged between 279 and 329 km and geese between 361 and 945 km. One of the PTTs of BHG stopped functioning from 30/10/2013 and another BHG fitted with PTT travelled to near Himachal Pradesh Border. Whereas two BHG fitted with only neckband and rings were reported from Gharana Wetland, Jammu. This study was able to track migration of BHG from Ladakh to Jammu via Himachal Pradesh (probably Pong Dam). The movement pattern of the PTT fitted birds are being tracked and may yield further information on their movement pattern and habitat utilizationItem National studbook of snow leopard (Panthera uncia)(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) WIIItem National studbook of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) WII