The objective of the visit to the project area was to accomplish the following:

i. Gain familiarity with the project profile and site environment.

ii. Develop perception of conservation values of the wildlife habitats en route the project.

iii. Review of environmental issues and concerns perceived by the various stake holders that can be eventually evaluated for their significance, based on scientific studies that would be undertaken by WII and/or other scientific/research organisations on behalf of WII.

iv. Outline critical ecological concerns and provide prescriptions for preventive and restorative mitigation.

The following was the outline of the work to address the above objectives:

i. Evaluation of the present alignment to suggest modifications, wherever necessary.

ii. Assessment of the magnitude and significance of perceived impacts.

iii. Undertake reconnaissance survey to evaluate (i) feasibility of mitigation options proposed by other agencies viz. (i. Use of existing road stretch in Ghat section by widening it, ii. Construction of tunnels in the Ghat section, iii. Creation of Protected Areas both North & South of alignment stretching from Bhimshankar to Koyna and including all Reserved Forest patches, crestline, eastern and western slopes, iv. Ex situ conservation of endangered species of plants and specific fauna likely to be impacted, v. Creation of Fr. Santapau Sanctuary) and (ii) evaluate the scope of detailed EIA studies.

iv. Propose work plan for detailed EIA studies and budgetary estimates.

v. Suggest preventive and ameliorative mitigation strategies.