Mitigation planning ensures the incorporation of measures that would minimize the magnitude of impacts of the proposed project activity. The mitigatory measures are based on the status of project environment prior to the project, nature of changes that are likely to occur in the project environment, the significance of areas that are likely to be impacted and the significance of the impacts. The impact significance depends upon the project duration, restoration potential of wildlife habitats and type of construction technology employed.

The EIA studies of the proposed Jorhat - Numaligarh Pipeline Project indicate that the wetlands are the major ecological units that are likely to be impacted by the proposed project activities.

5.1 RECOMMENDATIONS

The following mitigatory measures have been suggested for the mitigation of the ecological impacts of the proposed project on the wetland habitats en route and the associated biological values.

5.1.1 Wetlands

5.1.1.1 River Corridor

Dhansiri River

1. The Dhansiri river supports a small populations of Gangetic river dolphin and otter. These are migratory populations. However, taking into account the fact that, the Gangetic river dolphin populations outside the PAs may be higher than that of population within (Chaudhury and Hussain, 1993), and that the future survival of the dolphins depends on the protection of these riverine habitats, it is recommended that this likely habitat of the Gangetic river dolphin en route the proposed pipeline should be provided enough protection during the implementation of the various phases of the project.

2. The project authorities have proposed to adopt the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology for laying the pipeline across Dhansiri river. To mitigate the likely impacts of the proposed project on the ecology of the Gangetic river dolphin and otters, rescheduling of the construction phase activities to reduce the construction time involved in laying the pipeline across the Dhansiri river is recommended.

3. The Gangetic river dolphin and otters are seen in this area between October and March. The peak calving season of the Gangetic river dolphin is generally between December and January, to coincide with the winter season. It is therefore recommended that during this period (December and January), no construction activity that would cause disturbance to the dolphin population be initiated.

4. It is recommended that the Dhansiri river should not be used as a source of water to meet the demands of water supply during the construction phase of the project.

Kakadanga River

1. No impacts of the proposed pipeline project have been visualised to be significant for the Kakadanga river, except those that could be a result of accidental leakage of petroleum products. Moreover, the alignment of the section of the proposed pipeline route within the existing RoW of Naharkotiya-Barauni crude oil pipeline have been taken care for this river to ensure no further diversion of areas for project related activities.

5.1.1.2 Beels

1. Presence of otters and a few migratory avifaunal species, have increased the conservation significance of these beels. Though, the population of otters is not residential, they are often seen during post monsoon and winter season. Therefore, to avoid the likely disturbance to these otters and migratory waterfowl, rescheduling of construction phase to reduce the time that would be required for the completion of all activities is recommended.

2. The beel should not be used as a source of water to meet the demand of water supply for the construction related activities.