3.4 EVALUATION OF SITE BASED ON SELECT CRITERIA

Several approaches have emerged in the recent past to determine the importance of the specific ecological characteristics and conservation significance of the area. The criteria followed by Turnbill (1992) and Mitchell (1986) have been examined to evolve the criteria for determining the importance of site characteristics of the proposed Nuclear Power Station at Nagarjunasagar. The following are some of the criteria that would be applied to the site of proposed development for determining the ecological importance and the conservation significance and also its acceptability for conversion for the proposed development.

- Landuse patterns

- Existence value

- Floral/faunal diversity

- Provision of habitat for rare or endangered species

- Conservation status

- Restoration potential

- Existing legislation (Policy and Guidelines) for siting of power projects