biodiversity impact assessment

Biodiversity Impact

Assessment

1. Introduction of project

Govt. of India as part of its development initiative launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban

renewal Mission (JnNURM) in December 2005. The Primary Objective of the JnNURM is to

create economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive cities. Solid Waste

Management is one of the major development objectives of JnNURM.

Haridwar, the most prominent religious and spiritual center of the state of Uttarakhand is one

of the 3 towns of Uttarakhand listed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal

Mission (JNNURM). The city is facing a challenge of providing essential infrastructure to keep

pace with population growth. Due to urban population growth large tourist influx Solid waste

management is one among the major challenges faced by this city.

Haridwar is one of the cities selected under JnNURM for development of urban infrastructure

including an integrated Solid Waste Management (SWM). A City Development Plan (CDP-

Haridwar) has been prepared including improvement required for present Waste Management

Practices.

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Haridwar is deficient in all components i.e. source

segregation, primary collection, treatment, scientific disposal of waste. City has no system of

treatment and disposal of waste, the entire waste generated every day is disposed of

haphazardly at various places in the city.

The existing Solid Waste Management system lacks adequate infrastructure facilities to meet

the norms stipulated in the MSW rules 2000. Haridwar city needs to immediately augment

municipal solid waste management systems in the city to comply with Rules of Municipal Solid

Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000. The present project has been prepared with a

view to augment existing Solid Waste Management system by adopting integrated approach.

Biological Environment

Ecology is the study of the relation and interactions between organisms and their environment.

It comprises the floral and faunal communities of an area. With changes in environmental

conditions, structure, density and composition of plants, animals also undergo changes. For the

proposed study, the study area has been identified as 10km around the project site.

The study area falls under sub-tropical forest ecosystem. Project site is surrounded by

agriculture land. Rajaji national park falls under 10 km radius of project site. Rajaji National

Park of India is nestled between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic plains. Broadleaved

deciduous forests, riverine vegetation, scrubland, grasslands and pine forests form the range of

flora at these parks. The dense jungles here are home to vivacious wildlife here. The varied

topography of the national park is also responsible for vivid animal life inhibited here.

Project location

The proposed site is located at village-Sarai, Roorkee Road, Tehsil& District-Haridwar,

Uttarakhand.

2. Objectives of the Study

Biological environment is studied for the sustainable and eco-friendly solid waste management

project. Study area is classified in 2 parts. One is core zone where is project site and another

part is buffer zone that’s 10 km radius of project site.

The present study was undertaken with the following objectives:

To assess the nature and distribution of vegetation in and around the project site;

To assess the distribution of animal life spectra;

To assess the biodiversity and to understand the resource potential; and

To ascertain migratory routes of fauna and possibility of breeding grounds.

Impacts of project on biological environment

3. Method of assessment

To achieve the above objectives a detailed study of the area was undertaken in 10km radius

around project site. The different methods adopted were as follows:

Generation of primary data by undertaking systematic ecological studies in the area;

Discussion with local people so as to elicit information about local plants, animals and

birds.

The primary data was generated through:-

Preparing a general checklist of all plants encountered in the study area. This would

indicate the diversity for plants.

Determining the bird population of migratory and local birds by taking 10 random

readings at every Location;

Observing mammals, amphibians and reptiles, noting their calls, droppings, burrows,

pugmarks and other signs.

Field Visits, Survey, Collection of field data and Observation: Field visits for collection of

primary data were carried out. Plants parts or samples were collected and identified with the

help of pertinent regional floras and herbaria. The survey on agriculture land and other areas

except forest land was done by identifying and enumerating trees and other species by visual

observations. The villagers were interviewed to know about the agricultural crops and their

rotation throughout the year.

Interaction with people: Instant interviews, interaction with elderly local people and villagers

and group discussions with educated people of villages were conducted during the study period

for understanding the actual ground realities. They were asked about the kind of mitigation and

adaption plan they would recommend for the predicted changing scenario once project get

implemented.

4. Flora and fauna status

The main agricultural crops found in the study area are rice, wheat, peanut, turmeric, raddish,

sugarcane, mustard etc. The common vegetation of the study area can be broadly divided into

Sal forest, mixed forest (Acacia catechu, Vetiveria zizanioides etc.) and Riverine forest

(vegetation occurring in low water logged areas along brooks, riverbeds and streambeds). The

forests are dominated by Shorea robusta (Sal) and Tectona grandis (teak). Apart from these,

Butea monosperma, Bauhinia variegata, Bombax ceiba, Acacia catechu, Dendrocalamus

strictus, Emblica officinalis, Aegle marmelos, Tectona grandis, Zizyphus mauritiana etc. are

also common in the study area. The detailed list of flora and fauna of the study area are given

in Table 1 to 3.

Rajaji National Park of India is nestled between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic

lains. Broadleaved deciduous forests, riverine vegetation, scrubland, grasslands and pine

forests form the range of flora at these parks. The dense jungles here are home to vivacious

wildlife here. The varied topography of the national park is also responsible for vivid animal

life inhibited here. The under-wood is light and often absent, consisting of Rohini (Malollotus

philippinensis), Amaltas (Cassia fistula),Shisham ( Dalbergia sissoo), Sal ( Shorea robusta) ,

Palash ( Butea monosperma ) ,Arjun ( Terminalia arjuna ) Khair ( Acacia catechu ) Baans (

Dendrocalamus strictus ), Semul ( Bombax ceiba ) Sandan (Ougeinia Oojeinensis), Chamaror,

(Ehretia laevis), Aonla (Emblica officinalis), Kachnar (Bauhienia variegata), Ber (Ziziphus

mauritiana), Chilla (Casearia tomentosa), Bel (Aegle Marmelos), etc.

Common birds like green bee eater, crow (Corvus splendens), common myna (Acridotheres

tristis), Indian ring dove (Streptopedia decaorta), sparrow (Passer domesticus) etc are noticed.

Common birds observed in the study area are Kingfisher, Barbets, Woodpeckers, Babblers,

Golden Spectacled Warbler, Slaty Headed Parakeets, and Great Hornbills. Details of fauna and

avifauna of the study area is given in Table 4 to 6.

During study period, no wildlife activities observed nearby project site. However Rajaji

National Park is situate towards NE direction (6.45 Km). Local people reported that rarely

elephant, leopard and deer are observed outside of national park. There is no wildlife corridors

as well as nesting, ecological importance area in and around of project site except the national

park. Buffer area is mainly agriculture land.

Table 1- list of tree recorded in study area

1. Adina cordifolia 2. Dalbergia sissoo

3. Aegle marmelos 4. Delonix regia

5. Albizia lebbeck 6. Emblica officinalis

7. Albizia lebbeck 8. Aegle marmelos

9. Anogeissus latifolia 10. Ficus religiosa

11. Artocarpus integrifolia 12. Ficus tomentosa

13. Bauhinia acuminata 14. Grewia optiva

15. Bauhinia variegata 16. Holoptalia integrifolia

17. Bombax ceiba 18. Litchi chinensis

19. Cassia fistula 20. Leucaena leucocephala

21. Celtis australis 22. Mangifera indica

23. Melia azedaracha 24. Anogeissus latifolia

25. Morus alba 26. Artocarpus integrifolia

27. Polyalthia longifolia 28. Tectona grandis

29. Ricinus communis 30. Terminalia belerica

31. Shorea robusta 32. Terminalia chebula

Table 2:- list herbs recorded in the study area

1. Achyranthes aspera 2. Eleusine indica

3. Acrachne racemosa 4. Chenopodium album

5. Alopecurus borii 6. Grangea maderaspatana

7. Amaranthus spinosus 8. Argemone mexicana

9. Apluda mutica 10. Parthenium hysterophorus

11. Arundo donax 12. Imperata cylindrica

13. Brachiaria distachya 14. Saccharum spontaneum

15. Chloris dolichostachya 16. Colocasia esculenta

17. Cymbopogon citratus 18. Physalis minima

19. Cymbopogon martini 20. Eragrostis tenella

21. Cynodon dactylon 22. Brachiaria ramosa

23. Desmostachya bipinnata 24. Ageratum conyzoides

25. Euphorbiaceae spp. 26. Cannabis sativa

27. Fimbristylis complanata 28. Cassia tora

29. Saccharum spontaneum

Table 3- List of shrubs in the study area

1. Cannabis sativa 2. Desmodium oojeinensis

3. Cannabis sativa 4. Callistemon citrinus

5. Jasminum officinale 6. Datura stramonium

7. Rauwolfia serpentina 8. Alstonia scholaris

9. Solanum nigrum 10. Cassia tora

11. Zizyphus oenoplia 12. Urena lobata

13. Lantana indica

Table 4 :- List of fauna reported in the study area

1. Aonyx cinerea 2. Hyaena hyaena

3. Axis axis 4. Hystrix indica

5. Asis procinus 6. Manis crassicaudata

7. Boselaphus tragocamelus 8. Mellivora capensis

9. Canis aureus 10. Melursus ursinus

11. Cervus unicolor 12. Muntiacus muntjak

13. Elephas maximus 14. Nemorhaedus goral

15. Felis benghalensis 16. Ophiphagus hunnah

17. Felis chaus 18. Panthera pardus

19. Felis lynx 20. Panthera tigris

21. Herpestes edwardsii 22. Selenarctos thibetanus

23. Sus scrofa 24. Vulpes vulpes

Table 5: List of avifauna reported in the study area

1. Alectoris chukar 2. Pavo cristatus

3. Anthracoceros albirostris 4. Anas strepera

5. Buceros bicornis 6. Nettapus coromandelianus

7. Catreus wallichii 8. Sarkidiornis melanotos

9. Coturnix coturnix 10. Anser indicus

11. Coturnixc oromandelica 12. Tadorna ferruginea

13. Francolinus francolinus 14. Dendrocygna javanica

15. Francolinus pondicerianus 16. Anser anser

17. Lophura hamiltonii 18. Tadorna tadorna

19. Picus canus 20. Picus flavinucha

21. Picus squamatus 22. Picus chlorolophus

23. Picus xanthopygaeus 24. Anas falcata

25. Upupa epops 26.

Table 6: List of reptiles reported in the study area

1. Naja naja 2. Ptyas mucosa

3. Calotes versicolor 4. Bungarus caeruleus

5. Bungarus fasciatus 6. Python molurus

7. Varanus bengalensis 8. Chamaeleo zeylanicus

5. Probable impacts on biodiversity & their Mitigation

Assessment of impacts depends on the nature and magnitude of the activity being undertaken

and also on the type of pollution control measures that are envisaged as part of the project

proposal. Haridwar is one of the cities selected under JnNURM for development of urban

infrastructure including an integrated Solid Waste Management (SWM). For improving the

current dumping of Municipal Solid Waste proper treatment will be done for improving the

situation.

Potential Impacts

All the potential environmental impacts envisaged from the proposed project. Probable impacts

on biological environment is very negotiable. Potential impacts during construction and

operational phase are summarised in Table 7 & 8.

Impact on Vegetation

The representative natural vegetation in the project area consists of native plants. However,

the site does not have any significant vegetation cover; therefore,

there is no significant loss of tree cover on the site due to development of the facility.

Biological Environment

The solid waste management activity will have insignificant effect on the existing flora and

fauna. Data have been collected from various Government Departments such as forests,

agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and various offices to establish the pre project

biological environmental conditions. The purpose of the project itself is to save the flora around

the project area. It was found that the proposed project activity will not have any significant

impact on the biological environment of the region.

1.1 OLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Flora

The proposed project area is wasteland which does not have any trees. Hence, no tree cutting

is involved. There shall be negligible air emissions or effluents from the project site. During

loading the truck, dust generation will be likely. This shall be a temporary effect and not

anticipated to affect the surrounding vegetation significantly. Although, the project will not

lead to any tree cutting, it is proposed to improve the greenery of the locality by plantation

services. To avoid dust emissions, the materials will be covered with tarpaulin during

transportation.

Measures to develop vegetation cover and providing peripheral green belt development with

evergreen trees and drought resistant species have been incorporated in the construction and

operational phase. The proposed site is a demarcated site for disposal of MSW and does not

have rare plants or plants of economic importance or medicinal plants species which require

protection and conservation.

Fauna

Animals are sensitive to noise and avoid human territory. Project activity will run only day

time and noise level will not exceed more than permissible level. Hence, no significant impact

on the fauna is anticipated from the proposed project. The workers shall be directed to not

venture out of the project area for collecting fuel wood, or hunting. They shall also be trained

to not harm any wildlife, should it come near the project site. Project site will be fenced to

avoid any wildlife entry inside the operational area. No work shall be carried out after 6.00 pm.

Impacts Due to Collection and Transportation of wastes to processing site

The proposed system having a dedicated fleet of vehicles to collect and transport wastes

from the selected areas. The wastes will be transferred to the compactors from the vehicles.

Here of the wastes will be increased and then they will be carried to the processing site. Un

compacted wastes would require numerous rounds of the vehicles to the site whereas by

using bigger compacters, the number of rounds of the vehicles can be reduced, hence

leading to reduction in negative impacts on air quality.

Impacts on traffic

The project Envisages unidirectional pathways for both incoming and outgoing waste

trucks/vehicles to avoid traffic congest will be dedicated corridors of specific pathways

for the incoming and outgoing vehicular traffic for meeting the movement of finished

product. Therefore, there be any significant impacts on traffic in the area and on the site.

Wildlife area/ corridors are avoided in transportation route.

Table 7. gives the overview of the potential impacts due to project location, construction

and operation of the proposed project.

S.

No Impacts

Negative

Impact

Positive

Impact No

Impact Short

Term

Long

Term

Short

Term

Long

Term

A Project Siting

I Displacement of people

Ii Change of land use

iii Loss of trees/vegetation

Iv Shifting of utilities

V Impact on archaeological

property

B Construction Phase

I Pressure on local

infrastructure

Ii Contamination of Soil

iii Impact on water quality

Iv Impact on air quality

including dust generation

V Noise pollution

vi Traffic congestion and loss

of access

vii Staking and disposal of

construction material

viii Public health and safety

Ix Social impact

S.

No Impacts

Negative

Impact

Positive

Impact No

Impact Short

Term

Long

Term

Short

Term

Long

Term

C Operational Phase

I Increase in air and noise

levels

Iii Disposal of waste water

Ii Disposal of solid waste and

landscape waste

iii Induced development

iv Quality of life

Table 8 : Summary of Impacts During Construction and Operation Phase

S.No. Components Aspect Potential Impact

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

1.

Ambient Air

Quality

Dust emissions from site

preparation, excavation,

material handling and

other construction

activities at site.

Minor negative impact

inside plant premises. No

negative impact outside

plant site.

Short term

2.

Noise Noise generation from

construction activities,

construction equipment

and vehicular movement


near noise generation sources

inside premises.

No significant impact on

ambient noise levels at sensitive

receptors.

Short term


3. Water

quality

Surface runoff from

project site

Oil/fuel and waste spills.

Improper debris disposal

No significant negative

impact.

Short term

4 Landuse and

Aesthetics

Land development Positive impact.

Development of plant will

increase the aesthetics of the

area.

5 Topography

and Geology

Site development No Significant Impacts

6. Soil Construction activity

leading to topsoil

removal and erosion.

No impact as plant site is

within MSW premises.

7. Ecology

Flora and

Fauna

Habitat disturbance

during construction

activity

No impact as the area is

devoid of any vegetation.

8. Socio-

economy

Increased job opportunity

for locals

Overall positive impact

9. Traffic

Pattern

Haul Truck/construction

vehicle movement


OPERATIONAL PHASE

1. Ambient Air

Quality

Particulate emissions

from waste handling and

processing, vehicular

movement


2. Noise Noise from plant

operation and vehicular

movement



3. Water

Quality

Oil/fuel and waste spills.

Wastewater from plant

processes

Discharge of waste water

and contaminated storm

water from site

There will be leachate

generation from the proposed

site which will be treated in LTP.

4. Water usage Use of 25 m3/day of

Ground water.

No negative impact

5 Soils Storage of solid wastes

Fuel and material spills

No negative impact

6. Ecology

Flora and

Fauna

Land use change

No negative impact

7. Traffic

Pattern

Slight increase in traffic No negative impact due to

proposed plant as increase in

traffic is insignificant in

comparison to the vehicles

currently plying on the nearest

NH-58.

6. Green belt development for ecological & environmental sustainability

It is proposed to develop a peripheral greenbelt comprising of indigenous plant species. Selection

of the plant species will be based on their adaptability to the existing geographical conditions and

the vegetation composition of the forest type of the region. During the development of the green

belt within the project area, it has been emphasized that native plant species should be planted

which have good ornamental value and are fast growing with good canopy cover.

The plantation matrix adopted for the green belt development includes pits of 0.3m X 0.3m X

0.3m size with a spacing of 2m X 2m. In addition, earth filling and manure may also be required

for the proper nutritional balance and nourishment of the sapling. There will be development of

the green belt of 15 meters width, 3 layers of canopy all along the periphery. It is also

recommended that the plantation has to be taken up along with site development and the

landscaping aspects could be taken into consideration.

Selection criteria of Plant species for Green belt development:

The selection of plant species for the development depends on various factors such as climate,

elevation and soil. The list of plant species that can be suitably planted and having significant

importance are provided in Table 9 to 13. The plants should exhibit the following desirable

characteristic in order to be selected for plantation.

The species should be fast growing and providing optimum penetrability.

The species should be wind-firm and deep-rooted.

The species should form a dense canopy.

As far as possible, the species should be indigenous and locally available

Species tolerance to air pollutants like SPM, SOx and NOx should be preferred.

The species should be permeable to help create air turbulence and mixing within the belt.

There should be no large gaps for the air to spill through.

Trees with high foliage density, leaves with larger leaf area and hairy on both the surfaces.

Ability to withstand conditions like inundation and drought.

Soil improving plants (Nitrogen fixing, rapidly decomposable leaf litter).

Attractive appearance with good flowering and fruit bearing.

Bird and insect attracting tree species.

Sustainable green cover with minimal maintenance

Table 9: Suggested Trees for Peripheral green belt development

S.No

.

Scientific Name Common

Name

Abatement

Property

Flowering-

fruiting

1. Ailanthus excelsa Maharuk January-March

2. Albizia lebbeck Sirish NOx, Dust, Sox January-March

3. Albizia procera Safed Sirish NOx, Dust, Sox January-March

4. Azadirachta indica Neem Dust, Nox, Sox June-July

5 Cassia fistula Amaltas Dust March-June

7 Syzygium cumini Jamun Dust June-July

8 Terminalia arjuna Arjun Dust April-July

9 Anthocephalus

cadamba

Kadamb Dust April- August

10 Tamarindus indica Imli Noise April-

December

11 Dalbergia sissoo Sissoo Noise, March – April

12 Acacia catechu Khair dust June- October

13 Polyalthia longifolia Ashoka Noise, Dust March – April

14 Pongamia pinnata Pongam Noise, dust Throughout

year

The proposed activities actually improve the flora and fauna of the region by way of well-

planned and planted vegetation in the project sire. The proposed plantation would include:

Table 10 : For Protection from Gaseous emissions and Particulates

S.No Scientific Name Vernacular Name

1 Butea monosperma Flame of the forest – Purasu

2 Cassia fistlra Sarakkonnai


3 Cassia siamea Pon Avarai

4 Casurina equisetifolia Casurina (Savukku)

5 Caderella toona Sandana Vembu (Hill Neem Tree)

6 Dalbergia Sissoo Sisu

7 Ziziphus Mauritain Beri

8 Acacia nilotica Kikar/babul

9 Melia azedrach Neem

10 Prosopis spicegera Jand

11 (Ficus bengalensis Bohar

12 Ficus religiosa Pipa

13 Salvedora oleioides Van

14 Albizzia lebbak Siris

15 Acacia leucocephala. Reru

16 Dillenia indica Naithekku

17 Erythrina suberosa Mulmurungai

18 Ficus religiosa Pipal (Arasu)

19 Hardwick binnata Aachaan

20 Madhuca indica IIpai

21 Millingtonia hortensis Maramallee

Table 11: Plant species proposed to be planted for reduction of noise levels


1 Azadirachta indica Neem

2 Aegel mermelos Vilvam

3 Cassia siamia Manjal Konnai

4 Albizzia procera Kondavagi

5 Carissa carandas Klakka

6 Peltophorum inerme Lal Vagai

7 Saraca indica Asoka

8 Syzgium cimunii Naval

9 Tamarindus indica Tamarind

10 Thivetia puruviana Pilekaner

11 Pongamia pinnata Pungan

Table 12: species for protection against cyclonic winds


1 Cocos nucifera Coconut tree

2 Taberna montena coronaria Nandiavatti

3 Cadrella toona Sandana Vembu (Hill Neam Tree)

4 Ficus religiosa Pipal (Arasu)

5 Dalbergia Sissoo Sisu

6 Borassus flabellifer Palmyra (Panai)

7 Hardwickia binnata Aachaan

Table 13: Plant species for road side plantation


1 Petophorum inerme Copper pod tree

2 Pongamia pinnata Pungan


3 Saraca indica Asoka

4 Delonix regia Mailkonnai

5 Azadirachta indica Neem

6 Samania saman Rain tree (Thungu Vagai)

7 Cassia nodosa Konnai

8 Baucinia Latifolia Mantharai

9 Baucinia variegate Mantharai

10 Acacia auriculiformis Katthi Chavuku

Conclusion

The proposed project has not significant impacts on biodiversity. Municipal solid waste

management will reduce environmental load and it will also play a part to sustain environment.

As above discussed impacts on environment will mitigated as per standard practice guidance’s

(GoI).

biodiversity impact assessment

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