The preliminary information for ecological evaluation and assessment can come from surveys conducted for a specific purpose of EIA or from existing records and published information. Interpretation of the baseline data helps to monitor and predict changes that may be detected in future and therefore is considered an important aspect of ecological assessment. This chapter presents the baseline status of the important wildlife habitats and endangered species if any enroute the proposed pipeline. The extent and magnitude of the anticipated direct impacts of the proposed pipeline on wildlife values has been largely determined on the basis of probable changes in the wildlife habitats and wildlife species movement patterns in the areas enroute.

3.1 GENERAL FEATURES OF THE PIPELINE ROUTE
In total, 35 sample points along the pipeline route were surveyed. The details such as chainage number, location, landuse and wildlife sightings were collected and are presented in Table 3.1.

Although the larger sections of the proposed pipeline traverses through agricultural lands, it also traverses through three wetland areas lying enroute.

Wetlands are rich in species, endemic to small geographic area. They mitigate flooding as they provides hydrological buffer and regulate the water flow. The wetland flora remove heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins from the water. They are a natural `sewage system'. For all these reasons wetlands are important from both ecological and environmental considerations. This EIA study therefore, lays emphasis on the evaluation of the wildlife status of the wetlands.

3.2 WETLANDS
The 1971 Ramsar Convention defines the wetlands as "the areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water, that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty including areas of marine water, the level of which does not exceed six metres (Maltby, 1986).

Table 3.1 Location of the sample points surveyed along the Dahej-Gandhar-Baroda pipeline.

+ denotes ecologically sensitive area.

Creek is generally applied to any natural stream of water, normally larger than brook but smaller than a river. It is a low land water course of medium size. A small tidal channel through tidal swamps or a shallow intermittent stream in the coastal areas is also referred to as a creek (SAC, 1992).

The physical characteristics of the wetlands enroute the pipeline are given in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Physical characteristics of the wetlands enroute the proposed Dahej-Gandhar-Baroda pipeline

Though the river and the creeks have varying water depths, they are perennial and support the fauna throughout the year.

3.2.1 Dhadhar river
The pipeline crosses Dhadhar river near Mangrol village in Bharuch District (Fig.2). Important wildlife species reported from this river are the Indian Flap Shell Turtle (Lissemys punctata Lacepede), the Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and few common bird species. The reported population of the Marsh crocodile is not resident but migratory. During the monsoon season, they come with the flood waters from the upstream areas. The Flap Shell Turtle is very common and can be sighted throughout the year. The bird species observed at the river site are mainly Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Redwattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) and Blackwinged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) seen (Table 3.3). No migratory bird species have been reported from this area.

3.2.2 Aladar creek
The pipeline route crosses the Aladar creek near Aladar village (Fig. 2). The fauna of this area is mostly marine as it is influenced by the tidal waters. During high tide, fish species such as Harpodon nehereus and Arius maculata are seen. The

Table 3.3 Bird species recorded in the wetlands enroute the proposed pipeline route.

+ denotes presence of the species.

Table 3.4 Wildlife values of the wetlands enroute the proposed pipeline.

** denotes presence of an endangered species.
+ denotes presence of Faunal group.