Field investigations were made at all the sites likely to be impacted by the construction of proposed dam. These include area under submergence, downstream area of the dam, construction sites (dam site, power house excavation and dumping sites), access sites (newly constructed roads) and areas immediately outside the submergence area which could be impacted as a result of movement of human population and wildlife from the actual submergence area.

Following information on animal vegetation and people’s component of the objective of our study was collected through field work:

i.Identification of different vegetation components in the study area and quantification of vegetation communities with respect to the density and frequency and categorization of these communities into legal forest categories.

ii.Flora of the impact area.

iii.Basic statistics of compensatory afforestation scheme.

iv.Status of wildlife today in the impact areas and also the existing status of wildlife habitat in the impact areas.

v.Dependence of people on forest and wildlife products.

vi.Identification of existing levels of human use in the impact area (more specifically in submergence area) to determine pressure on vegetation communities and impact on wildlife and their habitat.

vii.Quantification of the human use by means of quantifying some of the more distinct indicators of human use like wood cutting and pollarding of Sal.

viii.Study of rehabilitation policy of MPEB and the extent to which it safeguards the interest of tribals.

ix.Study of impacts of Bodhghat and downstream projects on wild buffalo habitats

Survey Routes

Initially a rapid survey of all the sites likely to be impacted was undertaken and then a more detailed survey of the key areas was undertaken. The submergence comprises segments respectively of high and low human population density. Expectedly the low population density segment or the western segment is characterized by the relatively narrow valley and gradually rising hill slopes while in the other segment or the eastern segment, the valley is very much broader, largely covered by agricultural fields and bound by high rising steep hills. The study area can further be classified into village land, protected forest and reserved forest.

Representative samples were used for detailed study. For the vegetation component, more studies were conducted on well defined transect in the western segments as the eastern segment was largely covered by agricultural field. For all other components of study including flora, fauna and people, studies were uniformly spread over both the segments of the submergence area and the surrounding forested area lying outside the submergence area and the surrounding areas lying outside the submergence. A special survey of the areas downstream of Bodhghat Project was conducted to monitor wild buffalo habitat and its use. During the course of study, camping sites were located at Barsoor, Binta, Indravati National Park and Bhairamgarh wild buffalo sanctuary.

Vegetation composition

Representative areas were selected for study of vegetation. Transects were laid at a fixed bearing. Each point in a transect was separated by a distance of 250 m. Vegetation was recorded at sample point by laying a 10 m radius circular plot. All species with a GBH > 10 cm within the plot were recorded to calculate density and frequency of species. Notes on topography, extent of erosion, regeneration of important species like Sal and Tendu were made.

Flora of the impact areas

An inventory of all the plants collected from different localities was prepared. Plant specimens were collected for identification and herbarium record. Information on ethnobotanoical importance of these plants was also colleted from the tribals.

Wildlife resources

The area was extensively traversed on foot both along the well defined study transects and also on undefined routes within the submergence area and the adjoining forest areas. Evidences of animal presence were based on direct sightings and on indirect evidences such as droppings, diggings, tracks and animals remains like shell and moulted skin.

Existing status of Wildlife habitat

The area under investigation can be conveniently divided into:

(i) More fragmented flatter areas in the valleys and along the Indravati having scattered forest patches interspersed with human habitation areas and

(ii) Relatively better forest area on the slopes.

In the flatter areas, transects were laid both along the river and along the human habitation areas (Fig. 4.1). on each point in a transect habitat description score sheets (Appendix 4.1) were used to evaluate the status of animal habitat. Some of the parameters like wood cutting, grazing, lopping grass removal, fire and presence of human path which are indicators of human use were assessed and allotted scores based on none, low medium high scale. Tree density, grass height, water availability on each of the points were also assessed. An overall impression of wildlife habitat status as altered by these human use parameters was thus made.

Similar kind of assessment was also broadly made in the forest on slopes. Wood cutting for poles, pollarding of Sal for collection of Sal leaves, fire and erosion were considered as indicators of human use. No grazing or grass removal was observed on steep slopes.

To assess post impoundment impacts on habitats lying downstream, Indravati Tiger Reserve and Bhairamgarh Wild Buffalo Sanctuary were visited. In both these areas tracks were made along the river and also in the forest compartments. Likely impacts due to alteration in regime and loss of monsoon flooding in post impoundment phase were also evaluated in these habitats.

Dependence of people on forest and wildlife products

The social survey was designed with a view to study the dependence of people on forest in submergence area of the project. Secondary data on people in the submergence area was collected from Patwaris as well as from MPEB sources. Primary data was collected by personal interviews, using village, hamlet and household schedules (Household schedule is appended as Appendix 4.2). The survey was conducted during March to May, 1989.

Sample villages were selected after extensive visits of different villages in the submergence area to make the sample representative of the whole submergence area. Stratified random sampling (Srivastava, 1971) was used to select sample households for study. Stratification was made on the basis of religion, land holdings and availability or non-availability of forest products and sample households were selected randomly from each strata proportionately.

Observation techniques were used to quantify the collection and consumption of forest products, timber and fuel wood so as to verify the responses given during interviews. Case study of individual households was used to understand their yearlong activities, agricultural practices, expenditures, extent of hunting and gathering of forest products and also to cross check the responses in the interviews.

Respondents were interviewed at their residence and notes on collection of timber and thatched grass used in housing and fencing were recorded. A local tribal assistant helped as an interpreter in cases where language became a constraint while talking to respondents. Village and hamlet schedules were filled by interviewing ‘Sarpanch’/ ’Patel’/ ’Kotwal’/ ‘Para Mukhya’ (headman of the hamlet).

Data was collected on the following main parameters:

(1). Socio-demographic particulars of members of the households viz., age, sex, marital status, occupation.

(2). Income according to source.

(3). Land holdings and agricultural products.

(4). Livestock population and use.

(5). Use of different forest and wildlife products: purpose, quantity collected and consumed last year and income.

Eight sample villages from different parts of submergence area were studied (Fig. 4.1). 25% of households from each village were selected and the heads of the households were interviewed. Collected data were coded, tabulated and analyzed manually.

Extent of wood cutting

Extent of wood cutting and the maximum distance covered by people for wood extraction was determined.

Five villages with varying population size were selected. After enquiring from the natives about the specific path followed for wood extraction transacts were laid in the determined directions. At each sample point, within a circular plot of 10m radius, every tree was measured for its GBH, extent of wood cutting and existing ability to supply poles for construction in terms of trees cut and trees usable but uncut were measured. Shrubs with a GBH ranging from 10 – 20 cm were also counted as these represent a recruitment class or a source of future poles.

Basic statistics of compensatory afforestation scheme like the species being planted and the area covered etc. were collected from MPEB Afforestation Office at Jagdalpur. A few compensatory afforestation sites were visited. The sites where Shorea robusta has been planted was visited to visualize the success of plantation based on preliminary observation in the field. Information was also collected on rehabilitation scheme of MPEB and compensatory development measures assured to the dam affected population by MPEB. The model village for rehabilitation, Pharamadur was visited and adjoining forest resources were assessed. Social apprehension of villagers of the existing village living close to the proposed model rehabilitation site were noted.