The impacts of proposed pipeline on the wetland values of Ramsagar Lake are expected to be significant. The significance of these impacts is large due to the fact that the proposed pipeline route is only 250 meter from the flood plain of the lake and that Rasagar lake offers an important habitat for a large number of migratory water fowl.

4.3.1 Primary Impacts

1. The up gradation of pipeline along the proposed route near Ramsagar lake during the winter season will restrict the utilization of lake side foraging habitat of the migratory waterfowl.

2. The lake is already a source of water for irrigation facilities and domestic consumption. During the phase, water would be largely drawn from the lake for hydrostatic testing of the pipeline and for maintaining a cleaner environment for onsite welding of pipes. Although the quantity of water drawn for this purpose is not known, this could lead to the reduction in water to a level that will distract the birds from utilizing the wetland.

3. The location of the pipeline route in the flood plain of a lake as such can affect the pipeline at later stage due to unexpected high floods. All care should therefore be taken to prevent any adverse impact of such flooding.