Gas Authority of India proposes to upgrade the Hazira-Bijaipur-Jagdishpur (HBJ) pipeline system. The new 505 km pipeline will originate from the existing compressor station at Bijaipur and terminate at NTPC power plant at Dadri. The implementation of this pipeline upgradation project has been entrusted to Engineers India ltd. (Ell) after comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) and risk assessment.

EIA is complex because it encompasses a wide range of environmental attributes and no single agency can possess the skills to address all aspects of environmental analysis. It is for this reason that Ell offered to Wildlife Institute of India (WII) a consultancy task to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed expansion insofar as these relate to wildlife and wildlife habitats. The scope of work under this consultancy was defined and agreed upon through a memorandum of understanding jointly signed by Ell and WII.

That this EIA study commanded major significance was obvious from the fact that the expansion route of the pipeline passes through or near important wildlife habitats. The National Chambal Sanctuary- a unique free river sanctuary and the proposed Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary at Pohri which is at an advanced stage of notification by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh are the two important wildlife areas enroute through which the proposed pipeline route passes. Ramsagar lake another significant wetland habitat for migratory water fowl is also located in one of the stretches of the proposed route of the pipeline.

This report is an attempt to identify the impacts of the pipeline expansion on wildlife and wildlife habitats in the aforementioned wildlife areas and suggest mitigatory measures for the conservation and better management of these wilderness areas. The report also considers and recommends measures for forest conservation. The report is organised into 5 different sections. Section 1 of the report introduces the nature of the problem and lays the ground work for the study's over all approach. Section 2 provides impact assessment methodologies for wildlife species and their habitats. Section 3 presents the baseline pre-project scenario in order for establishing predictive trends for impact evaluation. Section 4 outlines the areas of environmental concerns and Section 5 offers suggestions and recommendations to allow the proposed development to progress in a manner that also safeguards the environmental concerns of forest and wildlife conservation.

The support and encouragement provided by various organisations and individuals has greatly helped in the preparation of this report.

Shri V.K. Sood and Shri V.D. Sharma Chief Wildlife Wardens of M.P. and Rajasthan are gratefully acknowledged for providing logistic support during field investigations. Discussions with Shri R.K. Shukla, C.F. Gwalior, Shri R.D. Sharma, C.F. Shivpuri, Shri B.K. Singh Director, Madhav National Park, Shri Som Shekhar DFO Daulpur, Shri P.K. Choudhery DFO, Shivpuri, Shri Satish Silawat DFO, Social Forestry and Shri Jaiprakash Narayana DFO territorial, Morena and Shri N.S. Bundela, Sanctuary Superintendent, Ghatigaon Bustard Sanctuary were of immense help in planning this study.

Authorities of Gas Authority of India and engineers of EIA and Pipeline Division of Ell are acknowledged for providing relevant information and hospitality. At the Wildlife Institute, Dr. A.J. T .Johnsingh, Dr. Rawat offered valuable suggestions that improved our ability to collect information during field work. Dr. V.B. Mathur read the entire report and commented extensively. Shri Suhas Kumar provided man power and facilities that enabled us to prepare the report in its present form. Discussions with Shri A. Rahmani, Aligarh Muslim University and the valuable information on Great Indian Bustard that has been compiled by him in several reports have been particularly helpful.

Assistance of all other individuals who have helped in their own ways does not remain unacknowledged.