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 MDAJ hookup pipeline is presented below:

This proposed hookup is six km long double pipeline originating from the proposed Panipat terminal at Bahauli, Panipat district and terminating as a connection with the existing Mathura-Jalandhar (MDAJ) pipeline near the village Razapur (Panipat district). Sample points surveyed en route this proposed pipeline are presented in Table-3.1.1. As major portion of this section passes through agricultural lands, only three sample points were selected for rapid assessment all of which were located in agricultural lands. Since there is no ecologically sensitive areas enroute this proposed pipeline route, the three sample points checked were scored the conservation significant value as zero (Table 3.1.1)

TABLE - 3.1.1 Location of sample points along MDAJ hookup section

* - Stone numbers not known since it was found to be damaged