Gir National Park and Sanctuary

Environmental Review of Activities Undertaken for Habitat Improvement and Management under IEP in Gir National Park & Sanctuary

S.No.	Project Activity	PA & Local Benefits	Impact	Mitigation Measures/ Recommendations
1	Up gradation of Management Plan	Promote systematic working Better management and effective project implementation	Nil	Integrate regional concern in implementation if neglected in Plan
2	Habitat enrichment by planting miscellaneous species	Vegetal cover improvement Increase in herbaceous biomass Control of soil erosion	Introduction of species may lead to modification of habitat and ecosystem by possibility of suppression of some natural species by planted species	Promote indigenous species which play an important role in habitat improvement and enrichment Raise nurseries to promote saplings of species from the same area
3	Development of degraded forests in peripheral areas (grassland & PF	Improvement in cover and overall habitat quality Improvement in biodiversity Increase in cut fodder availability Decline in crop raiding by ungulates Reduced grazing pressure on PA	Temporary restriction on privileges Continued grazing & encroachment for agriculture likely	Rapid implementation of report to Govt. on status and demarcation policy for residents within PA for resettlement/eviction of encroachers Participation of people already captured Within these PF, control illegal grazing through improved protection and EDC support
4	Survey and demarcation	Pressure of encroachment may be reduced Better knowledge of legal boundaries	Fringe vegetation may lend to destruction	Minimise destruction during demarcation and survey and allow restoration
5	Construction of check dams	Sustained high water table until February Enhancing longevity of water points and improved availability for wildlife Creation of new habitat may restrict straying of animals out of PA Raised water level in village wells Also become source of water for local communities	Change in micro climate at some places Potential for siltation Possible cumulative effects to reduce stream base flow if not sufficiently spaced Likely use of building material from PA Economic viability not determined	Siltation to be effectively dealt with No dredging of streams to be permitted for raw material Sluice gates and annicuts for flow regulation already exist Environmental assessment for evaluating cumulative effects of existing and proposed checkdams on change in hydrology and induced ecological changes
6	Construction of water holes	Overcome water scarcity during summer Maximisation of habitat utilization Ease census operations Reduce competition for food Improved sighting Higher visitor satisfaction	Disturbance to land surface and vegetation cover Utilisation by cattle may be possibility Increased possibility of transmission of disease to wildlife species Concentration of visitors near such points may increase leading to disturbance to wildlife Salinity may result due to seepage	Material to be transported from outside PA through contractual agreement Construction to be carried out away from residence of local community Ensure water retention through design Also provide water holes in villages to avoid cattle using the water sources Control seepage by increasing impermeability of base
7	Pollarding of browse species	Increase in forage	May lead to reduction in vegetal cover Some disturbance to animal movement and foraging during pollarding operation Disturbance of nesting & breeding areas of birds	Plots to be spread out at different places Pollarding levels can be decided for optimizing benefits and reducing disturbance
8	Sanctuary area to be proposed for inclusion in NP	Better protection to wildlife Long term conservation prospects of biodiversity values of PA Better prospects of conservation of endangered spp.	Feasibility questionable due to disturbance to local community and religious feeling Conflict with the local community and staff Financial implications of resettlement/ relocation by Govt. Limited land availability outside PA may reduce feasibility	A careful assessment of the pros and cons of this upgradation to National Park needs to be made considering the sensitivity that may be involved in relocation, restricting access to temples and the potential of ecological threats from existing highways. A review of areas to be excluded and included within the bounds of National Park to be reviewed critically to avoid any pitfalls in planning
9	Restricted use of roads for tourism (Closure during sunset to sunrise)	No disturbance during closure period Control on visitor number Allotment of different route to visitors for better viewing opportunities	Littering of non degradable waste (polythene bags/ plastics) leading to reduced aesthetics and visual quality Higher risk from accidental forest fire	Needs a systematic study to see effectiveness of present restrictions, determine traffic volume on different section of highways and their ecological impacts for evolving effective mitigation strategies
10	Removal of unwanted spp. (Lantana, Prosopis and Sacrum)	Increase in forage and cover value. Increase in visibility Lantana available as fuel resource for local people	Rate of removal may outstrip rate of spread Large areas still under Lantana Uprooting of perennial weeds likely to affect soil stability and promote soil erosion	Timely operation will prevent seeds dispersal and soil erosion Ensure complete uprooting of Lantana Dibbling of seeds and planting of local species can be initiated Regular monitoring to reduce invasions by weeds and maintenance of cleared areas to restore them as wildlife habitats
11	Restoration of degraded hills (outside Sanctuary and National Park on the fringe of Sanctuary) Bekola, Lekarda and Kichida	Soil stabilization and moisture conservation efforts Improved vegetal cover/ habitat restoration Creation of new habitat Enlarged habitat size of PA. Availability of more fodder in future to local community	Rights & privileges restricted temporarily Increased pressure of grazing on outer PA Introduction of exotic spp.	No exotic spp. to be introduced Alternative fodder facility to local community Avoid major construction and use of indigenous materials
12	Stone wall fencing	Control of encroachment and crop damage Control of illegal grazing in the PA Reduction in wildlife damage Increased conflict with PA staff Some employment opportunities for landless Increase in income Habitat protection	Strained relationship with forest staff Disturbance and degradation from stone quarrying for construction Likely soil erosion from extraction of rock and boulders	Identify quarry sites away from erodible areas Regular maintenance Promote use of ‘live’ fences/trench cum mounds
13	Construction of wireless towers (Steel & aluminum structures) and watch towers	Improved infrastructure to facilitate communication for effective protection Improved infrastructure for monitoring of wildlife	Minor disturbance during earth work in foundation Increase in visitor related disturbance Aesthic impacts Widening of track leading to existing towers already evident in some sites	Already erected Mobile phones could be also provided to senior PA staff for effective communication for handling emergencies Camouflaging the present structures painted in white would make them more compatible with their natural surroundings Review efficacy of height/design for future modifications
14	Construction of buildings, residential quarters for staff (at Junugadh – Dhuni and Sasan)	Accommodation for field staff Facilitates working Employment generation	Already constructed	Located appropriately
15	Setting up of laboratory (At Sasan)	Improved opportunities for conducting wildlife research and wildlife health management Better ability to handle emergencies	No negative impact	Develop research priorities and establish a good reference resources and local database for promoting scientific studies that directly contribute in enhancing conservation.
16	Interpretation center	Better visitor orientation Better awareness level Enhanced educational level	Already established	Has comprehensive coverage of information through literature and exhibits Easily approachable site
17	Wildlife control structures (wire fencing around agriculture fields)	Reduction of man-animal conflict	May lead to the death of wildlife if fencing is electrified illegally by villagers Minor chances of injury to wildlife	Regular monitoring over such type of fencing
18	Construction of new roads	Enhance protection Fire control Effective wildlife monitoring and improved infrastructure for PA management	Local community may use the road Visitor pressure may increase Ecological impacts of road (fragmentation and barrier effect) may surface subsequently	EIA needed
19	Road improvement	Good will and trust building for seeking support in conservation Improved access to market	Likely impacts of soil removal from forest for road repair Soil erosion and drainage impairment Temporary disturbance during maintenance work Increased access may promote traffic	Collection of soil from forest should be avoided Already a railway line and seven highways aligned through PA, cumulative impacts need careful assessment
20	Land leveling	Reduction in encroachment in PA for agriculture Improved yields and entry into commercial activity Improved socio economic status	Soil erosion and reduced fertility of areas from which top soil is removed	Landless people have to be benefited by promoting employment of landless people to be made mandatory for leveling works Cut and fill methods adopted Use of common land to be prohibited

Last Updated: February 7, 2013

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Gir National Park and Sanctuary