Pre-development measurements of environmental quality through select attributes in the study area are essential requirements for post development audits and impact monitoring. Observations on direct measurements of wildlife species and their habitat attributes likely to be impacted upon by the proposed project have been presented here. The magnitudes of anticipated impacts of the proposed project would be largely determined on the basis of probable changes in wildlife values of ecologically sensitive areas en route the pipeline.

The baseline data for environmental impact assessment in the present study has come mainly from two sources: (i) field surveys conducted for the purpose, and (ii) records and publications already in existence.Naturalist in India have significantly contributed to build up the baseline data on natural wealth during the last few decades. However, area-wise systematic information on floral and faunal diversity is greatly lacking. This is only in recent years that several institutions and voluntary organisations have made efforts in generating scientific information on various aspects of wildlife and ecological monitoring using simpler field methods as well as advanced technology viz. Radio-telemetry, Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System, etc.

Baseline data on wildlife and habitat attributes likely to be impacted upon by the proposed augmentation of SMPL i.e. VC section and new pipeline (CP) projects are presented here section-wise:

3.1 Viramgam-Chaksu (VC) Section:
All along the pipeline route in VC section, 91 sample points were surveyed during the reconnaissance (Table 3.1.1). Based on rapid field assessment, eight ecologically sensitive wildlife habitats/ecosystems were identified. These included four forest areas and four wetlands. The intensive studies were undertaken in all the eight areas. The baseline data thus obtained through intensive studies and secondary information is presented below.

A. Wetlands:
During the course of field studies, an attempt to identify the major wetlands en route the proposed pipeline was made in order to predict the impact of the proposed project on the wildlife values. Wetlands en route the pipeline have been categorised into three categories, viz. Rivers, lakes and village ponds. In total, 30 rivers, three lakes and nine village ponds were surveyed.

(a) Rivers:
Out of 30 rivers surveyed along the pipeline route, seven river locations were in Gujarat and 23 rivers in Rajasthan. Except the river Balaram rest of the rivers surveyed were found to be seasonal. Information presented here on the status of 30 rivers is largely based on the secondary information. The width of these rivers varied from 50 m to 500 m. The secondary information data revealed that all the rivers experience flash floods during the monsoon season with varying depth of flowing water. In Batriya river the presence of turtle was reported by the local people. These rivers because of their seasonal nature, low faunal diversity and high biotic disturbances have not been recognised as potential wetland habitats. Sand-mining activities were also recorded in 17 rivers (Table 3.1.2).

* survey stone number not known due to damage

+ denotes ecologically sensitive areas

(b) Lakes and village ponds:
Twelve wetlands (3 lakes and 9 village ponds) lie en route Viramgam-Chaksu section (Table 3.1.3). The intensive studies were carried out in all twelve wetlands. Of these, three village ponds (Kokta, Rudathal and Jhirota) and one lake (Goliras) were perennial. In Rajasthan, most of the village ponds and lakes are being mainly used for domestic and irrigation of crop fields. The faunal values and level of existing biotic disturbance for two village ponds (Kokta, Rudathal) and two lakes (Nawa and Goliras), those were recognised as ecologically sensitive habitats have been discussed below:

(i) Kokta:
It is a perennial village pond which lies 100 m away from the proposed loopline segment. Five species of aquatic birds viz. Nakta (Sarkidiornis melanotos - 22), little egret (Egretta garzetta - 12), red wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus - 4), white ibis (Threskiornis aethiopica - 1) and grey heron (Ardea cinerea -1), and 22 Indian soft shelled turtles (Lissemys punctata) were recorded. Secondary information confirmed the occurrence of fishes in this pond. Since the villagers neither catch the fishes nor they allow anybody to do fishing information about species present could not be collected. Villagers use this pond mainly for domestic purposes.

(ii) Rudathal:
This perennial village pond is located at a distance of ca. 700 m from the pipeline. The presence of Indian soft shelled turtle, two species of fishes, and information on waterfowl visiting this wetland during winter season was ascertained from the secondary sources. This pond area is exclusively used by livestock.

(iii) Nawa lake:
This lake is located in Dhasuk village. It is a seasonal lake which lies 150 m away from the proposed loopline segment. The presence of fishes and aquatic birds during monsoon and winter season was confirmed. The villagers mostly depend on this lake for agricultural purposes.

TABLE - 3.1.2 Characteristics of rivers en route the VC section

S.M. - Sand mining

(iv) Goliras lake:
It is a perennial lake located in the Chaksu village. The existing pipeline is passing close by. This lake had shallow water during the period of field investigations. Five species of water birds viz. little egret (Egretta garzetta - 49), red wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus - 16), black winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus - 13), Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia ­9), and painted sand grouse (pterocles indicus indicus - 9) were recorded. The occurrence of Indian soft shelled turtle and fishes only during the monsoon season was reported by the local people. This lake is mostly used for domestic and agricultural purposes.

Field observations on rest of the wetlands Jhirota, Sadatpur, Dekwada, Shivas, Banewara, Ramsar, Antroli and Khera Balaji during the rapid survey revealed that these could not be recognised as potential wetland habitats since no significant wildlife values were recorded. The jhirota pond was in dry condition during the field study. This happened mainly due to the extensive use of water for crop fields those have been recently developed.

B. Forests:
As stated earlier, the Viramgam-Chaksu (VC) pipeline section passes through two states,  namely Gujarat and Rajasthan. Three major forest types have been identified by Champion and Seth (1968) in the tract. These are: (i) 6C/1 Desert Thorn Forest, (ii) 6B/DS1 Zizyphus Scrub (Thorn Forest), and (iii) 6B/DS2 Tropical Euphorbia Scrub. Along the pipeline route, 13 different forest areas were surveyed. These forest areas were located at varying distances of 0 to 1 km from the pipeline. Four forest areas were selected for the intensive studies. These were Chitrasani, Abu Road, Kivarli Reserved Forest and Sadalwa Jod Reserved Forest. The status of each forest area based on intensive below: field studies are discussed.

(a) Chitrasani forest:
This is a dense mixed forest comprising mainly Prosopis juliflora and Butea monosperma with an average height of 7 m. Since Balarami a perennial river is passing through this forest area, riverine species viz., Derris pinnata, Holoptelia integrifolia and Ficus bengalensis were recorded. This forest area is of 6C/1 Desert Thorn Forest type and the species prominently present were, namely Acacia senegal, Acacia leucophloea, Prosopis juliflora, Holoptelia integrifolia, Butea monosperma, Balanites aegyptiaca and Flacourtia indica. This forest was situated in a flat to undulating terrain with low hillocks. Ten plant species were recorded in this forest stretch. Except Prosopis juliflora and Butea monosperma rest of the eight plant species obtained values of less than 10% relative density (Table 3.1.4). Ten species of birds were recorded in this forest. A low faunal diversity in the area was observed, this can be accounted mainly due to the disturbances caused by the railway line and the state highway passing through this forest. Based on observations made in ten sample plots, a moderate pressure of cutting and lopping of trees and livestock grazing were recorded. Total length of the existing pipeline passing through this forest area is ca. 1.5 km and this forest does not lie within any of the proposed loopline segments.

(b) Abu Road Forest:
This forest area falls within the proposed loopline segment of Abu Road to Kodrala. The proposed loopline will pass at a distance of 75 m from this forest. The legal status of this forest could not be ascertained during field studies. This open mixed forest was dominated by Cassia occidentalis and Prosopis juliflora. An average height of 1 m was recorded. Based on the Champion and Seth (1968) forest type classification, this forest can be designated as - 6B/DS2 Tropical Euphorbia Scrub type.

TABLE - 3.1. 3 Characteristics of village ponds and lakes en route the VC pipeline section

F: Fishes, T: Turtle, B: Aquatic birds, D: Domestic, C: Cattle,

I: Irrigation, Ag.: Agriculture, F: Fishing

TABLE - 3.1.4 Plant species and their relative densities in the Chitrasani forest area

This forest type owes its present form to extensive grazing and felling of trees but edaphic factors are also responsible to some extent. Out of 13 plant species recorded, three species viz. Prosopis juliflora, Cassia occidentalis and Acacia leucophloea combindely obtained a relative density value of 66.67% (Table 3.1.5). Only seven bird species were recorded in the area (Table 3.1.6). Tree cutting and lopping pressures were of moderate level. Among en plots sampled, eight plots had evidence of livestock dung which reflected high grazing pressure in this forest area.

(c) Kivarli Reserved Forest:
This forest is of DS1 Zizyphus Scrub type. This forest was dominated by Dichrostachys cinerea with relative density of 48.97% followed by Acacia leucophioea (15.17%) (Table 3.1.7). Total seven plant species with an average height of 4 m were recorded. No significant observation on mammalian and avifaunal species in this forest was made. Woodcutters and livestock were not encountered in the forest area, however, the indirect signs of tree cutting and lopping revealed a high level of cutting pressure in this forest. A high grazing pressure was also observed.

(d) Sadalwa Jod Reserved Forest:
This forest was an open scrub and dominated by Zizyphus nummularia. An average vegetation height of 2 m was recorded. Other plant species recorded were: Dicrostachys cinerea, Prosopis juliflora, Cassia occidentalis and Acacia leucophloea (Table 3.1.8). Direct sightings of livestock viz. cattle (33 individuals ), goat (12 individuals) and dung evidence in the nine sample plots revealed that this forest is presently facing a high grazing pressure. A high level of cutting and lopping pressure was also recorded.

Conservation significance values of different ecologically sensitive habitats en route the pipeline are given in the Table-3.1.9.

TABLE - 3.1.5 Plant species and their relative densities in the Abu­ Road forest area

TABLE-3.l.6  List of bird species recorded in the Abu-Road forest area
 

+ denotes presence

TABLE - 3.1.7Relative densities of plant species recorded in the Kivarli Reserved Forest

TABLE - 3.1.8Relative densities of plant species recorded in the Sadalwa Jod Reserved Forest

TABLE - 3. 1. 9 Conservation significance values of ecologically wildlife sensitive habitat/ecosystems along the VC section

3.2 Chaksu-Panipat (CP) section
This pipeline section originates at Chaksu and after passing through the states of Rajasthan and Haryana, it terminates at the upcoming Panipat refinery at Bahauli in Panipat district. Details of sample points surveyed along the pipeline route are presented in Table 3.2.1. The sample points represented different landuse categories which were Wetlands (three rivers and two village ponds); Grasslands (one); Forests (four thorny woodland areas) and agricultural land (20 sample points).

Eighteen ecological sensitive areas were identified by the macro level assessment of which only four warranted intensive studies. Baseline data for these ecologically sensitive areas is presented below:

A. WETLAND :
Altogether three rivers i.e., Arnanisha-Dhundnala, Dudhala and Sota river were visited during the reconnaissance. Based on a rapid assessment, it was found that all these rivers were seasonal (Table-3.2.2) . The Lakhawas reservoir lies 200 m away from the proposed pipeline and is seasonal since it is fed by a seasonal river. Among wetland, only Kalka village pond was recognized as an ecologically sensitive area. Hence, intensive studies were undertaken at the Kalka pond. This village pond signifies its conservation importance due to its perennial nature, and rich avifauna. Vegetation in the surrounds of Kalka pond area was characterised by Acacia nilotica and Prosopis juliflora, and Eichornia crassipes was conspicuous in the pond. During bird counts on two consecutive days avifauna representing twelve families, seventeen genera and twentyspecies were recorded (Table- 3.2.3). It is noteworthy that some of these species have not been earlier reported for the Asian Midwinter Waterfowl Census undertaken in three wetland areas of Haryana (Directory of Indian Wetlands, 1993). These species are: lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), open bill stork (Anastomus oscitans), spoonbill (Platalea leucoradia), night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), and purple heron (Ardea purpurea). Among large mammals, only nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), was seen. Presently this wetland does not enjoy any legal status of a protected area, although protection may enhance bird diversity. The conservation significance value thus obtained was six (Table­3.2.4).

TABLE - 3.2.1 Location of sample points surveyed along the CP section

* survey stone number not known due to damage
+ denotes ecologically sensitive areas

TABLE - 3.2.2  Status of wetlands along CP section

TABLE-3.2.3 Avifaunal count at Kalka wetland on two consecutive days

* - Birds not seen during Asian Water Fowl Census

TABLE-3.2.4 Conservation significance values of ecologically sensitive wildlife habitats/ecosystems along CP section

* Survey stone number not known as round damaged.

B. FORESTS:
Among the different forest habitats en route the proposed pipeline, following three areas were identified as ecologically sensitive and intensive studies were undertaken:

(i) Lakhawas open scrub

(ii) Bawri ka Bir Reserved Forest

(iii) Baraud Reserved Forest

Lalberi ka Bir forested area was not selected for intensive study as it was found in a degraded state.

Vegetation in the eastern parts of Rajasthan has been described by Champion and Seth (1968) as a Northern Tropical Thorn Forest type (sub group 6B) characterised by the genus Acacia and the thorny family Mimosae represented by Prosopis spp.

(i) Lakhawas open scrub:
Vegetation in the area showed equal frequency of occurrence for the species Calotropis procera, Capparis decidua and Alhagi pseudalhagi. Alhagi pseudalhagi was unique in its occurrence in this area. The overall shrub cover recorded was in the category of 50-75% (Table-3.2. 5). Average vegetation height recorded was 2.8 m with a tree cover of less than 25%. Local people reported the presence of nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), and wolf (Canis lupus), which is an endangered animal. As such, no direct/indirect evidence was seen, during the intensive study. Lopping signs on Acacia nilotica and livestock grazing were observed. The area secured a score of five as conservation significance value (Table-3.2.4).

Table-3.2.5  Status pf Reserved Forest/open scrub along proposed Chaksu-Panipat pipeline.

Cover: Class

0 - 0

1-25% - 1 26-50% - 2

51-75% - 3

76-100% - 4

TABLE - 3.2.6Plant species recorded at Reserved Forest/open scrub along CP section

(ii) Bawri ka Bir Reserved Forest:
Eight plant species were recorded (Table-3.2.6). The values of percentage frequency occurrence of different species were Balanites aegyptiaca (80%), Zizyphus mauritiana(60%) and Prosopis juliflora (50%). The overall shrub cover was in the category of 50-75% (Table-3.2.5). The presence of black naped hare (Lepus nigricollis) was recorded alongwith the reported presence of wolf (Canis lupus), jackal (Canis aureus) and nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Data on indirect evidence revealed that 30% of the sample plots had hare pellets. Biotic interference in the form of cutting Prosopis juliflora was observed in all the plots. The conservation significance value of eight was recorded for this area.

(iii) Baraud Reserved Forest:
This Reserved Forest is in Alwar Forest Division located near Bahror. The vegetation height recorded was 1.8 m with predominantly shrub species with a moderate shrub cover of 50~75% (Table-3.2.5). Higher values of percentage frequency occurrence were recorded for Capparis deciqua, Capparis sepiaria and Prosopis juliflora (100%) i Mimosa hamata occurred in a frequency of 70%, followed by 10% of occurrence of the other species (Table-3 .2.6). Sightings of nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and black partridge (Francolinus francolinus) were recorded (Table-3.2.7). Other wildlife species reported from this Baraud Reserved Forest include Wolf, Jackal (Canis aureus), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Desert fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Jungle cat (Felis chaus) and Caracal (Felis caracal), Chowsinga (Tetracerus quadricornis), Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) (Anon, 1978). Cutting of Prosopis juliflora shrubs in 50% of the sample plots and livestock grazing were recorded. This forest area secured a conservation significance value of six (Table-3.4.4).

TABLE - 3.2.7 Wildlife species recorded during field enroute proposed Chaksu - Panipat pipeline survey

Figures in parentheses indicate number seen
1-Lakhawas Reserved Forest
2-Bawri Reserved Forest
3-Baraud Reserved Forest
4-Kalka wetland