Since the mining projects are listed under `Schedule I projects' of EIA Notification of MoE&F (Anon., 1994), environmental clearance from Central Government is a mandatory requirement for project implementation. In accordance with this, the detailed proposals for Akrimota, Mata-no-Madh and Umarsar Lignite Mining projects were submitted by Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for obtaining environmental clearance. The proposals for all the above three projects were considered by the expert committee (mining) in the 5th meeting of the committee held on 10th July 1996. The need for additional information was expressed by the committee prior to the accordance of environmental clearance. Some of the specific information that was desired included details of afforestation plan and socio-economic and ecoregeneration measures, water balance of the region and the proximity of the Akrimota mine site to Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary.

The proposal was resubmitted by GMDC along with the desired information for reconsideration by the expert committee during its 6th meeting held at Bilaspur on August 10th 1976. It was brought to the notice of the committee by some committee members that the proposed mines are located in the existing range of Indian Grey Wolf - a highly endangered species of the Indian sub continent. At this, the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of India suggested that specific studies to determine the status of wolf in and around the mine lease area and an assessment of the ecological impacts of mining on wolf and its habitats would be useful in aiding the decisions for environmental clearance.

Subsequently the authorities of Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) Ltd., Ahmedabad requested Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to undertake the above study under their consultancy offer.

The following are the broad objectives of the study required to be undertaken by the WII.

i. To estimate the status of current wolf populations in the proposed mine lease area.

ii. To evaluate the likely impacts of lignite mining on the resident wolf populations in the study area, and gain a perspective on the overall impact on wolf populations in the region.

iii. To suggest strategies to minimize negative impacts of mining on wolf populations and to promote conservation of wolves and its habitats.