* Survey point number not known

Table 3.2 Plant species recorded in the forest areas enroute the pipeline

The list of the plant species of the forest areas described above are presented in Appendix I and II.

The legal status of the forests to a great extent determine the level of protection offered to wildlife species and habitats contained within them. None of the forested areas discussed above enjoy the status of a Reserved or Protected Forests. It is evident from the survey results of the three forest areas that none of the mammalian or avian species of conservation significance seem to occur in these forests. The structure and composition of forests is not suitable for wildlife habitat requirements of most wildlife species. Dependence of the local human population on these forests for fodder, fuel wood and sal leaf and land for agriculture and live stock grazing have already impacted upon the sustainability of these forests. Developmental initiatives including expansion of rail, road and canal network have further resulted in the decimation of the forest quality. The reported presence of mammals such as Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) jackal (Canis aurens), leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Gopalpur forests on hillocks that are away from the proposed pipeline route further suggest that absence of disturbances alone can improve the wildlife habitat potential of an area. All the above three forest areas with their existing levels of disturbances both man made and biotic have little potential as wildlife habitats.

3.2 STATUS OF WETLANDS
Wetlands include "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of massive water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 m" (Directory of Indian Wet lands, 1993). During the course of study an attempt was made to identify the major wetlands enroute the proposed pipeline to evaluate the impact of the project on characteristic faunal species of wetlands. The proposed pipeline passes through 6 major rivers (3 in West Bengal, 3 in Bihar) and 4 important marshlands all of which are located in West Bengal (Table 3.1). An attempt has been made to evaluate the impacts of pipeline on wetland species such as dolphins, reptiles (crocodiles and turtles). Most of the species of these faunal group are highly endangered and have already been listed in schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Waterfowl are other conspicuous elements of the wetland fauna as most of them are long distance migrants. Waterfowl, being at the top of the food chain in wetland ecosystems and highly susceptible to contamination and disturbances are generally reliable indicators of the health of wetland and ecosystem. Fishes, apart from enhancing the biological diversity of the wetlands are a major source of food and commerce for a large section of human population (Plate 3.3 & 3.4).

Wildlife values of major rivers and marshlands that have been considered ecologically important are discussed in sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.

3.2.1 RIVERS
The following six rivers enroute the proposed pipeline (refer segment 2,4,5,10,11 of Fig 2.1) were surveyed for wildlife values. The physical characteristics of these six major rivers are given in Table 3.3.

Table 3.3 Physical characteristics of major rivers surveyed

The results of the intensive surveys of these rivers are presented below for each river separately -

(a) Rupnarayan:
The boat survey confirmed the presence of river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in this river. In addition to our own sighting of river dolphins the discussions with the villagers of this area further confirmed that dolphins are common there. Apart from this, eight species of aquatic birds were sighted in this river (Table 3.4). Migratory waterfowl have not been reported to visit this river area. Secondary sources of information also confirm the presence of crocodiles and turtles in this river. Information on other reptilian species could not be collected during the survey. Fish fauna of the river is represented by 8 species viz. Barbus puntio, Catla catla, Channa strictus, Cirrhina mrigala, Hilsa ilisha, Labeo rohita, Macrones vittatus and wallago attu (Table 3.5).

Table 3.4 List of aquatic birds recorded in the major rivers

1.Rupnarayan 2.Damodar 3.Ajoy 4.Kiul 5.Harohar 6.Ganges

(b) Damodar:
Survey of the Damodar river for wildlife evidence did not provide any direct evidences/sightings of aquatic fauna. However, based on interviews with local villagers we could confirm the occurrence of dolphins, migratory waterfowl and fishes in this river. River dolphins and waterfowl are common in Damodar river during monsoon and winter respectively. Few species of aquatic birds were sighted during the survey (Table 3.4). These sightings during a brief survey period however can in no way be a measure of species number and diversity for avifaunal species of Damodar river. Few representative species of the river as listed in Table 3.5. Large scale sand mining (Plate 3.5) and brick manufacturing are the major activities that have been the source of disturbance to wildlife species in this area (Table 3.6). Transportation of sand from this river involve routine movement of large number of trucks to and from the river. This is expected to cause disturbance to waterfowl. Removal of sand for brick manufacture is also likely to influence the river ecology.

(c) Ajoy:
No direct evidences of aquatic fauna could be collected during the field survey. Dialogue with local fishermen and villagers, confirmed the occurrence of turtles (in monsoon) and migratory waterfowl (in winter) in this river. Little green plover, long toed stilt, sand piper and marsh sand piper were were some of the aquatic birds sighted during the survey (Table 3.4). No evidence of crocodile and dolphins could be gathered for this river during the field survey. Fish fauna of this river was very similar to that of Rupnarayan. Barbus puntio, Channa punctatus, Cirrhina mrigala, Creba, Labio calbasu, L. Rohita, Macrona lor and Rita rita are some of species recorded here. No major developmental activities were found to affect the river ecosystem.

Table 3.5 List of fishes recorded in the major rivers

1. RUPNARAYAN 2. DAMODAR 3. AJOY 4. KIUL 5. HAROHAR 6.GANGES

Table 3.6Existing levels of disturbance on the major rivers enroute the proposed pipeline

Score
0 = Nil, 1 = Rare, 2 = Common, 3 = Abundant

(d) Kiul:
The construction of a barrage upstream, high levels of disturbances due to sand mining and brick manufacturing has already impacted upon the faunal resources of this river. Only 4 species of aquatic birds could be sighted (Table 3.4). No direct evidences of aquatic mammals and reptiles could be collected during the survey. The number of fish species reported from this river was also relatively low. Channa punctatus, Channa striatus and Cirrhina reba are some of the fishes reported from this river during the survey.

(e) Harohar:
The river survey did not provide convincing evidence of aquatic fauna in Harohar. Few species of turtles and migratory waterfowl were reported to be present. Aquatic birds were seen in large numbers during the survey (Table 3.4). Sighting of 60 individuals of Baer's pochard (Aythya baeri) in the river during the survey is an interesting observation of ecological interest because very rarely are the individuals of this species sighted in large number at any point of time. The fact that this bird is threaten species listed in Red Data Book -5 enhances the importance of Harohar river as an important wildlife habitat for aquatic birds. Four species of fishes were reported to occur in this river (Table 3.5). No major developmental activities were observed on this river.

(f) Ganges:
Sightings during the boat survey confirmed the occurrence of dolphins in Ganges. The distribution of dolphins in river stretch of river Ganges and its tributaries is well documented (Singh and Sharma, 1985; Rao et al., 1989). Envirotech East (1993) reported sighting of about 25 dolphins at the confluence of River Bayo (West of the main bridge) and down stream. Several species of turtles have also been reported from Ganges in Bihar. Bhupathy et al., (1994) reported six species of turtles viz., Indian flap shell turtle (Lissemys punctata), Indian soft shelled turtle (Aspideretes gargiticus), Narrow headed soft shell turtle (Chitra indica), Indian tent turtle (Kuchuga tintoria), Indian roofed turtle (Kuchuga tecta) and three striped roof turtle (Kachuga dhongoka) from Begulsarai. Some of these species of turtles are also expected to occur upstream of the point where the proposed pipeline crosses the river. During the survey the local villagers also reported that turtle nests with eggs are common on this river during monsoon. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) are also reported to be present in this stretch of river Ganges.

Not many species of aquatic birds were sighted during the survey (Table 3.4). Construction of pylon line tower by the Bihar State Electricity Board is the major source of already existing disturbance to aquatic habitat. Engineers of Gammon (India) Ltd. reported that over 300 to 400 migratory waterfowl used to visit this area every winter about two years ago but the number of waterfowl visiting this river has gone down dramatically since the construction of pylon line tower.

Fishes such as Barbus puntio, Catla catla, Channa striatus, Cirrhina mrigala, Lates colcifer, Labeo rohita. Macrores viltatus and Wallago attu occur in this river. The presence of some of these species could be confirmed from the observations of the nets during fresh landing of fishing boats (Table 3.5).

The wildlife values of the all six rivers were evaluated based on the presence/absence and species richness within the faunal groups. Table 3.7 gives a comparison of the wildlife status of these rivers.

Table 3.7 Wildlife values of major rivers enroute the proposed pipeline

Score: Fish - 1=< 5 Spp, 2=6-10 spp, 3=< 10 Turtle- 0 = Absent, 1 = Present Migratory 0 = Absent, 1 = Present water fowl Aquatic 0 = Absent, 1 = Present mammals

River Ganges had the highest score for wildlife value (score = 6). The confirmed presence of all the faunal groups in Ganges and its importance as a habitat for river dolphins make this wetland the most important ecological area enroute the proposed project.

Rupnarayan river with score rating of 5 is an important habitat for river dolphins. Its enhanced due to significance is largely its potential to support this threatened species of aquatic mammal.

Wildlife values of river Harohar based on presence of faunal groups is comparatively low, but the presence of Baer's pochard a threatened species of aquatic bird has enhanced the ecological importance of this river as an aquatic habitat for migratory waterfowls.

The habitat potential of rivers Damodar and Kiul has been greatly reduced due to several on going developmental activities and therefore these rivers have low scores (1 and 3) for wildlife values.

3.2.2 MARSHES
Marsh are areas of shallow water where herbaceous vegetation such as reeds, rushes, grasses and edges flourish. These form an important refuge for wintering waterfowl during the month of December to March. Dakshinpur, Bar Nandanpur, Dharampur and Jothkanurangod have large areas under marshlands that would be traversed by proposed pipeline. These marshes are seasonal, wetlands during the months of November to February. Secondary information from villagers indicated that these marshes are used by large number of waterfowls including ducks, geese, cormorants, egrets, plovers and snipes during winter. For rest of the year these marshlands are cultivated extensively for paddy.