ecology and biodiversity survey report

Ecology and Biodiversity Survey

Report

Ecology and

biodiversity

assessment of M/s.

SherwinWilliams

Paints India Pvt.

Ltd. Taloja, MIDC

[ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY SURVEY REPORT] February 6, 2013

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CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction: ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1. Background .................................................................................................................................................. 4

1.2. Chemical industry and BIODIVERSITY: .................................................................................................... 4

1.3. The site ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.4. Scope of the study ........................................................................................................................................ 6

1.5. Activities undertaken during the study ......................................................................................................... 6

1.6. Survey Limitation: ....................................................................................................................................... 6

1.7. Approach of the study .................................................................................................................................. 6

2.0 Methodology .................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 Desk Study ................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Habitat Survey .............................................................................................................................................. 7

2.2.1 Flora ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

2.2.2 Fauna and Avifauna .............................................................................................................................. 8

2.3 Sampling Stations ........................................................................................................................................ 8

3.0 Observations ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Habitats Survey ............................................................................................................................................ 9

The project site: ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Areas with in 1 km range: ................................................................................................................................. 11

Areas within 5 km range: .................................................................................................................................. 12

Areas within 10 km range: ................................................................................................................................ 12

Summary of habitat diversity survey:.............................................................................................................. 13

3.2 Floristic diversity ...................................................................................................................................... 14

Flora in the project site: .................................................................................................................................... 14

Flora in the Buffer range: ................................................................................................................................. 15

Domesticated plants during the survey: .......................................................................................................... 17

Cropping and plantation patterns in the region: ................................................................................................... 17


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Ecologically important species .......................................................................................................................... 19

Mangroves in Buffer: ........................................................................................................................................ 19

Summary of the Floristic Survey: .................................................................................................................... 19

3.3 Faunal diversity .......................................................................................................................................... 20

Avian diversity: .................................................................................................................................................. 20

Reptile and AmphibianDiversity ...................................................................................................................... 20

Lepidoptera diversity: ....................................................................................................................................... 20

Insect diversity: .................................................................................................................................................. 21

Spider diversity: ................................................................................................................................................. 21

Mammal diversity: ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Domesticated animals:....................................................................................................................................... 21

Summary of faunal observations: .................................................................................................................... 21

4.0 Diversity Index Calculation: ........................................................................................................................... 22

5.0 Summary of the ecological impact study:....................................................................................................... 24

6.0 Conclusion and Discussion:............................................................................................................................ 24

7.0 Suggested mitigation measures ...................................................................................................................... 24

8.0 Annexures: ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

Annexure 1: Checklist of Plant species observed in the Core site ........................................................................... 25

Annexure 2: Checklist of Tree Indviduals Observed during Tree census in the Core Site ...................................... 25

Annexure 3: Plants species observed during survey in the Buffer Region .............................................................. 26

Annexure 3.1 IVI value of species in Buffer ....................................................................................................... 26

Annexure 3.2 : Checklistof Plant species observed in the buffer area ................................................................. 30

Annexure 3.3 : Checklist of Domestic Plant species observed in and around the actual project location (E=

Exotic, N=Native) ................................................................................................................................................ 36

Annexure 3.4: Ecologically important species .................................................................................................... 37

Annexure 3.5: List of mangroves and mangrove associates in the buffer ........................................................... 39

Annexure 4: Checklist of birds observed in and around the site .............................................................................. 39


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Annexure 4.1: Checklist of birds observed in 1 km range of actual project site area ................................. 40

Annexure 4.2: Checklist of birds observed within 10 km radius range from the proposed project ........... 40

Annexure 5: Checklist of Reptiles and Amphibians observed in and around the site ............................................. 43

Annexure 5.1: Checklist of reptiles and amphibians in the actual project site ............................................ 43

Annexure 5.2: Checklist of reptiles and amphibians within 10 km radius .......................................................... 43

Annexure 6: List of Butterflies observed during the survey in and around the site ................................................. 43

Annexure 6.1: List of Butterfly species in 1 km range from the actual project site ..................................... 43

Annexure 6.2: List of Butterfly species observed in the 10 km radius range of the project site ................. 44

Annexure 7: List of insects other than butterflies observed in and around the site.................................................. 45

Annexure 7.1: Insects observed in 1 km range from the project site ............................................................ 45

Annexure 7.2: Insects observed in the 10 km radius range from the project site ........................................ 45

Annexure 8: Spiders observed during the study ...................................................................................................... 45

Annexure 8.1: Spiders observed in the site area ............................................................................................. 45

Annexure 8.2: Spider species observed in the 10 km radius range ............................................................... 46

Annexure 9: Dragon Flies observed during the study.............................................................................................. 46

Annexure 9.1: Dragon Flies observed in the site area .................................................................................... 46

Annexure 9.2: Dragon Flies observed within 10 km range ............................................................................ 46

Annexure 5: List of marine vertebrates and invertebrates observed during the survey .......................................... 46

9.0 Photo feature : ................................................................................................................................................ 47


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ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY STUDY FOR

M/S. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINTS INDIA

PVT. LTD

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

1.1. BACKGROUND

The present document is a flora, fauna and associated ecology status assessment report forthe proposed project of M/s.

Sherwin Williams Paints India Pvt. Ltd. at Taloja. MIDC.

The study was commissioned to Ecobasics Ecology Consultancy and Services Pvt. Ltd. in order to review the

present status of natural ecology and biodiversity elements in the Core area and surrounding region i.e. Buffer area.

The objectives of this study were to provide an assessment of present status of flora, fauna and ecological habitat in

the site, comment upon ecological richness, assess the occurrence of ecologically important or rare variety of floral

and faunal species, evaluate possible direct or indirect impact of the project on ecology - biodiversity and suggest

mitigation measures accordingly.

The present document considers definition of ecological impact as “any and all changes in the structure and function

of ecosystems.” In a general perspective, loss or alteration of species, communities and population structure may cause

changes in ecological dynamics, interactions and functions and thereby may lead to ecological impact. Therefore, flora

and fauna is documented and used in this particular study/survey as a primary tool to understand the status of ecology

in core and buffer areas and analyze the ecological impact of the corresponding project.

1.2. CHEMICAL INDUSTRY AND BIODIVERSITY:

Biodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of life on Earth. It refers to the differences within and between

all living organisms at their different levels of biological organization – genus, individuals, species and ecosystems.

Biodiversity embraces all living organisms and their genetic diversity, a vast and complex array of ecosystems and

habitats, as well as the processes that underpin and result from this diversity, such as photosynthesis, nutrient cycling

or pollination.

As any other industrial sector, the chemical industry has impacts on Biodiversity and ecology. The impacts of such an

industry can be very prominent during the pre manufacturing, manufacturing and in waste phase. However, there are

many opportunities to avoid, mitigate or offset adverse impacts on Biondiversity and ecology. It is very important for

a chemical based industry to mitigate biodiversity and ecology impacts because the industry itself is depended on

biodiversity and ecology in many ways.

Chemical industry and biodiversity conservation both being very important, exploring ways in which ecological

impact can be reduced is necessary. Understanding the biodiversity profile of the area can provide data for better

decision-making, developing practices, mitigation plans, and suggesting biodiversity offsets for the conservation of

threatened biodiversity (Kate et al. 2004). Therefore, such a study has imperative relevance.


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1.3. THE SITE

Figure 1: Location of the project site

Figure 2: Bird eye view of the actual project location


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1.4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1. To assess the flora and fauna present in the core site of the proposed project and in surrounding area

i.e. Buffer region (10 Km radius range)

2. To document cultivated, planted and naturally occurring species in the core site

3. To document Rare, Endangered, Threatened (RET) species in the Core site and in the Buffer region

4. Assessment of species protected by specific legislation (Rare, endangered, critically endangered,

endemic and vulnerable)

5. To identify designated locates, habitats and features of ecological significance

1.5. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN DURING THE STUDY

1. Flora survey

- Tree, shrub, herb, climber and grass species identification and enumeration

- Diversity of species under plantations

- Analysis of Rare-Endangered-Threatened flora

2. Fauna survey

- Documentation of Avian, Reptilian, Insect, Amphibian, Mammal and other faunal

diversity

- Observations by direct and indirect evidences (Direct evidence- Sighting and hearing,

Indirect evidence- Pug marks, nests and other signs)

- Analysis of Scheduled species

3. Habitat/microhabitat diversity in the Core site and Bufferareas

4. Photo documentation

1.6. SURVEY LIMITATION:

This survey records the flora and fauna evident on the days of the site visit and field survey. It does not record any

flora or fauna that may appear at other times of the year, and as such, were not evident at the time of visit. The report

represents ecological status of the area evident during the particular period of the study.

This is an ecological report and as such, no dependenceshould be given to comments relating to buildings, engineering,

soils or other unrelated matters.

1.7. APPROACH OF THE STUDY

To assess the ecological issues and document flora and fauna associated with the project following tasks were

undertaken:

(i) Preliminary visit on the site

(ii) Desk Study

(iii) Site Survey by subsequent visits

(iv) Strategic sampling of 1 km , 5km and 10 km radius areas from the project location.


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Figure 14: Nitlas village

Figure 15: Lake near Ballaleshwar temple showing presence of Typha


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Figure 16: Aegiceras majus- one of the mangrove specie

Figure 17: Salvadora in fruiting stage


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Figure 18: Pistia stratiotes seen near Kalundre river

Figure 19: A river near MIDC area


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Figure 20: An area near Hajimalag Gad

Figure 21: A landscape near Morbe


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Figure 22: Haplanthodes verticillatus

Figure 23: Ipomoea species


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Figure 24: Mucuna pruriens

Figure 25: Butea monosperma


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Figure 26: Pongamia pinnata

Figure 27: Paracalyx species


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Figure 28: Calycopteris floribunda

Figure 29: Forestscape in Hajimalang Gad


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Figure 30: Butea monosperma flowers

Figure 31: Marsilia a unique fern

ecology and biodiversity survey report

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