Mainstreaming biodiversity values and goals of wildlife conservation into economic sectors such as mining and development policies and programmes has become critically important for steering economic development towards achieving sustainability objectives. The imperative for integrating biodiversity conservation concerns in impact assessment has been highlighted both in the National Biodiversity Action Plan (TPCG and Kalpvriksh 2005) and in Article 14 of the global Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) that recognizes EIA as an important decision-making process for enhancing the conservation of biological diversity. This makes all parties that are signatory to the CBD to introduce EIA during the preliminary stages of activities which are likely to entail significant changes in biodiversity or to have adverse effects on it and only based on the results and recommendations of EIAs shall the decision on the realization of planned measures be taken.

This study aims to facilitate decision making with respect to renewal of mining lease for limestone mining proposals of M/s Narmada Cements, based on the findings of the ecological assessment of the area in the context of conservation priorities of the Gir landscape. The outputs of such a study are expected to provide guidance on functional importance of the area identified for mining lease in conservation of lions and their habitats and in implementation of regulatory site level actions such as lease renewal within the context of broader regional priority.