IV. EVALUACIÓN
IV.2 ANÁLISIS DE LA JUSTIFICACIÓN DE LA CREACIÓN Y DEL DISEÑO DEL PROGRAMA
159. The recorded forest area in Tamil Nadu state is 22,428 km2 which constitutes 20.21% of the geographical area of the state. Reserved Forests comprise 88.70%, Protected Forests 7.79%
and Unclassified Forests constitute 3.51%. The forest cover in project districts is presented in Table 22 which shows that project district have very thin forest cover and moderate dense and open forest classes only. However, the RoW of the project road does not fall within any forest area shown in Figure 14 and thus do not attract forest land diversion.
Table 22: Forest Cover in Project Districts (Km2) 3 District Geographical
Area (GA) VDF MDF OF Total % of GA Chengalpattu and
Kanchipuram 4,483 0 69.95 237.83 307.78 6.87
TN State 130060 3672 10979 11630 26281 20.21
VDF: Very Dense Forest, MDF: Moderately Dense Forest, OF: Open Forest
3 Tamil Nadu State of the Forest Report, 2019.
Figure 14: Forest Cover Map of Tamil Nadu Showing Project Road
Source: India State of Forest Report
2. Flora and Vegetation along the project road
160. The road side trees falling within formation width of project road have been enumerated as per the available design. The tree enumeration details of trees>30cm girth size along project road are provided in Table 23. The roadside trees are continuous throughout the corridor except some stretches where open land/agricultural land are observed. The trees are generally having good canopy as observed during environmental impact survey. Every effort has been made by engineering and environmental team to save these trees. There is no green tunnel along the project road. As observed from above tree details, a total of 1327 trees>30cm girth size fall within formation width of project road, which will be affected due to road widening. (SH58 part 1 road and Walajabad bypass: 540 trees on LHS and 611 trees on RHS. Military road: 56 trees on LHS and 120 trees on RHS)
161. The detail of the impacted trees above 30 cm girth size is provided in Appendix 5.
Table 23: Tree Enumeration within Formation Width (>30 cm) of Project Road SH-58
Chainage (km) Trees on LHS
Trees on
RHS Total Trees
From To
30 31 10 18 28
31 32 14 16 30
Project Road Project Road
32 33 20 39 59
33 34 7 17 24
34 35 16 51 67
35 36 11 36 47
36 37 30 19 49
37 38 24 20 44
38 39 7 32 39
39 40 13 10 23
40 41 11 0 11
41 42 7 13 20
42 43 32 28 60
43 44 38 21 59
44 45 93 14 107
45 46 16 34 50
46 47 12 69 81
47 48 15 14 29
48 49 52 42 94
55 56 6 10 16
56 57 12 31 43
57 58 10 19 29
58 59 15 25 40
59 60 7 11 18
60 61 10 4 14
61 62 25 12 37
62 63 18 1 19
63 64 9 5 14
Total Trees within RoW of SH58 Part 1
road including Walajabad bypass 1151 Military Road
Chainage (km) Trees on LHS
Trees on
RHS Total Trees
From To
0 1 16 6 22
1 2 6 14 20
2 3 2 5 7
3 4 33 6 39
4 5 19 9 28
5 6 32 12 44
6 7 12 4 16
Total Trees within RoW of Military road 176 Total Trees Within RoW of project 1327
162. The local and scientific names of tree species observed along the project road with their CITES and IUCN status are listed in Table 24. The dominant tree species along project road are Mango, Tamarind, Palm, Neem, Coconut, Peepal, Indian beech, Siris and Black Plum. Other observed species are either Least Concerned or not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.
Table 24: IUCN Status of Major Tree Species within Formation Width (>30 cm) Common
Name Tamil Name Scientific Name IUCN Status Banyan Alamaram Ficus benghalensis -
Peepal Arasan Ficus religiosa -
Coconut Coconut Cocos nucifera -
Mango Mango Mangifera indica -
Black Plum Naval Syzygium cumini LC
Neem Neem Azadirachta indica LC
Palm Panaimaram It has not been
evaluated by IUCN NA Indian
Beech Pungai Millettia pinnata LC Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindus indica LC
Siris Vagai Albizia lebbeck -
3. Protected Areas
163. There are five national parks, four tiger reserves, fifteen wildlife sanctuaries, fifteen bird sanctuaries, three biosphere reserves, four zoological park, three crocodile farms and two conservation reserve in the State of Tamil Nadu.
164. There is no protected area within 10 km aerial distance of the project site. The area did not record the presence of any critically threatened species. The field survey and investigation also indicates the absence of any high endemic or vulnerable species in this area. There is no critical habitat within the project area of influence. The project area can also be considered to be entirely modified habitat. The list of protected area within Tamil Nadu are shown in Table 25 and details are provided in Appendix 6. The protected area map of Tamil Nadu is shown in figure 15.
Table 25: Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu S.
No. Name District Area in
ha
Year
Decl. Major Animals Found Wildlife Sanctuaries
1 Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary Nilgiris 21,776.00 1940 Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Panther, Tiger, Birds, Reptiles 2 Indira Gandhi
Wildlife Sanctuary Coimbatore 84,149.00 1976 Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar 3 Mundanthurai
Wildlife Sanctuary Tirunelveli 58,207.58 1962
Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Langurs, Slender Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Wild Dog 4 Kalakad Wildlife
Sanctuary Tirunelveli 22,358.00 1976
Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Sloth Bear,
Elephant, Panther, Tiger
S.
No. Name District Area in
ha
Year
Decl. Major Animals Found 5
Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
Virudhunagar 48,520.00 1988
Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Elephant,
Lion Tailed Macaque 6 Point Calimere
Wildlife Sanctuary Nagapattinam 1,726.00 1967
Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Wild Boar, Flamingoes, variety of birds such as Teals, Gulls 7 Vallanadu Black
Buck Sanctuary Thoothukudi 1,641.00 1987
Black buck, Spotted deer, Macaques, Jungle cat,
Mongoose, Hares
8 Kanyakumari
Wildlife Sanctuary Kanyakumari 40,239.55 2007
Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Slender Loris, Tiger, Panther,
Elephant, Bird, jackal, Nilgiri Tahr
9 Sathyamangalam
Wildlife Sanctuary Erode 1,41,160.9
4 2011 Elephant, birds etc.
10 Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Theni &
Madurai 26,910.82 2009 Elephant, birds etc.
11
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary Block A & Block B
Thanjavur &
Tiruvarur 12,407.27 2013
Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Wild Boar, Flamingoes, variety of birds such as Teals, Gulls
12 Kodaikanal
Tirunelveli 288.4 2013 Spotted Deer
14 Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary
Krishnagiri &
Dharmapuri 50,433.48 2014
Grizzled Giant Squirrels, Panthers, Elephants, Dhole,
Sloth Bear etc.
15 Nellai Wildlife
Sanctuary Tirunelveli 35,673.33 2015
India Gaur, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear,
Indian Elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque etc.
Bird Sanctuaries
16 Vedanthangal
Birds Sanctuary Kanchipuram 30 1998
Cormorants, egrets, gray heron, spoon billed stork, migratory
birds like garguney, teals, shovallers
17 Karikili Birds
Sanctuary Kanchipuram 61.21 1989 Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, spoon billed stork,
18 Pulicat Lake Birds
Sanctuary Tiruvallur 15,367.00 1980
Flamingoes, ducks, osprey, avocet, cormorants, herons, spoon bills, gulls and other
migratory birds 19 Vettangudi Birds
Sanctuary Sivagangai 38.4 1977 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans 20 Kanjirankulam
Birds Sanctuary
Ramanathapur
am 104 1989 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans 21 Chitrangudi Birds
Sanctuary
Ramanathapur
am 47.63 1989 Cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, pelicans
S.
No. Name District Area in
ha
Year
Decl. Major Animals Found 22 bill, Indian Reef Heron, Grey
heron, white necked stork 23 Vaduvoor Birds
Sanctuary Tiruvarur 128.1 1999 Cormorants, egrets, ibis, herons and many variety of birds 24
Koonthankulam-Kadankulam Birds Sanctuary
Tirunelveli 129 1994 Grey pelican, painted stork, white Ibis, jackal, rat snake 25 Karaivetti Birds
Sanctuary Ariyalur 453.71 1999 Egrets, pelican, grey heron, white ibis, spoon bill 26 Vellode Birds
Sanctuary Erode 77.18 2000 Spoon bill, teals, pintail ducks, darter
am 593.08 1998 Grey pelican, painted stork 28 Theerthangal Bird
Sanctuary
Ramanathapur
am 29.29 2010 White-breasted kingfisher, spot- billed pelican, brahminy kite common myna, grey heron, little
cormorant, black kite, etc.
30 Oussudu Lake
Birds Sanctuary Villupuram 331.79 2015
Spot-billed pelican, egret, common myna, grey heron, little
cormorant, black kite, etc.
National Parks 31 Mudumalai
National Park Nilgiris 10,323.00 2005 Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Tiger, Birds, and reptiles 32 Indira Gandhi
National Park Coimbatore 11,710.00 1989 Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar 33 Mukurthi National
Park Nilgiris 7,846.00 2001 Nilgiri Tahr, Jackal, Otter, Jungle cat, Sambar, Barking deer.
34 Guindy National
Park Chennai 270.57 1978 Black Buck, Chital, Jackal,
Pangolin and variety of birds
35
fauna of coral reefs, Dugong, Turtles, Dolphins and
Kaninyakumari 484.77 2015 Birds
Figure 15: Protected Area Map of Tamil Nadu
Source: Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
4. Fauna/Wildlife
165. India is represented by a wide array of faunal species. More than 50,000 species of insects, 4,000 of mollusks, 6,500 of other invertebrates, 2,000 of fishes, 140 of amphibians, 420 of reptiles, 1,200 of birds and 340 of mammals, totaling more than 65,000 species of animals are recorded from the country.
166. Tamil Nadu's faunal biodiversity is equally impressive. Dr. K. Venkataraman of Zoological Survey of India, Chennai has published about 595 species of freshwater faunal, 2,247 species of marine faunal and 1,898 species of terrestrial faunal species in Tamil Nadu.
Project Road
167. The faunal diversity of the State includes 165 species of fresh water fishes, 76 species of amphibians, 177 species of reptiles, 454 species of birds and 187 species of mammals. According to the CAMP reports the red-listed species include 126 species of fishes, 56 species of amphibians, 77 species of reptiles, 32 species of birds and 40 species of mammals.
168. The endemic fauna includes 36 species of amphibians, 63 species of reptiles, 17 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. Many faunal species have been included in the various schedules of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, considering their endangered status. Schedule I animals include 22 species of mammals, 42 species of birds and 9 species of reptiles.
169. Schedule II includes 13 species of mammals. Schedule III includes 5 species of mammals and Schedule IV includes 5 species of mammals, 367 species of birds, 109 species of reptiles and 23 species of amphibians. Schedule V incorporates 13 species of mammals and 1 species of birds4.
a. Assessment of Fauna along the Project Road
170. In order to establish baseline data on the presence of important wildlife and faunal habitats in the project area, a field investigation has been carried using field surveys (walkover surveys and consultations with local forestry and local communities). The main findings of this Wildlife Study are summarized herewith.
171. The main objectives of the biodiversity study were to assess and document wildlife and faunal habitats in the project area and along the proposed alignment in particular. The study has been carried out in the months of January–February 2020. The methods including literature review, direct field sightings by transact walk, discussions with local communities, consultations with local (field level) forest officials etc. were used to collect data on presence of wildlife and avifauna in protected areas along the project road.
172. The fauna along and surrounding the project road incudes mammals such Mongoose, , Common monkey, Hare and Birds include Little cormorant, Eastern purple heron, Night heron, Paddy bird, Little Egret, Cattle Egret , Brahmny kite, Pariah kite, Koel, Southern Indian roller, Common myna, , Indian house sparrow, Tailor bird, Common teal, Jungle bush quail, , Spotted dove, Parakeet and Crow pheasant. Butterflies includes Indian common crow, Indian red grass and Tailed jay. Reptiles includes House Lizard, Common garden lizard, Indian chameleon, Krait and Indian cobra. Amphibians includes common frog and Toad. There are no vulnerable/
endangered or rare species fauna around the project site. There is no presence of any fauna species listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 of Government of India. The list of fauna in the project road section area is presented in below table 26.
4 Tamil Nadu Forest Department. http://tnenvis.nic.in/Database/SoilResources_1171.aspx
Table 26: Fauna in the Project Road Area
1 Hemidactylus frenatus House Lizard Schedule IV Least Concern 2 Calotes versicolor Common garden
lizard Schedule IV -
3 Chamaeleo zeylanicus Indian chameleon Schedule IV Least Concern
4 Bungarus caeruleus Krait Schedule-IV -
1 Phalacrocorax niger Little cormorant Schedule IV Least Concern 2 Ardea purpurea
manilensis
Eastern purple
heron Schedule IV -
3 nycticorax nycticorax Night heron Schedule IV Least Concern 4 Ardeola grayii Paddy bird Schedule IV Least Concern 5 Egretta garzetta Little Egret Schedule IV Least Concern 6 Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret Schedule IV Least Concern 7 Haliastur Indus Brahmny kite Schedule IV Least Concern 8 Milvus migrans Pariah kite Schedule IV Least Concern 9 Eudynamys scolopaceus Koel Schedule IV Least Concern 10 Coracias benghalensis Southern Indian
roller Schedule IV Least Concern
11 Acridotheres tristis Common myna Schedule IV Least Concern 12 Corvus splendens Ceylon house crow Schedule V Least Concern 13 Passer domesticus
indicus
Indian house
sparrow Schedule IV Least Concern 14 Orthotomus sutorius Tailor bird Schedule IV Least Concern 15 Anas crecca Common teal Schedule-IV Least Concern 16 Perdicula asiatica Jungle bush quail Schedule-IV Least Concern 17 Burhinus oedicnemus stonecurlew Schedule-IV Least Concern 18 Spilopelia chinensis Spotted dove Schedule-IV Least Concern 19 Psittacula cyanocephala Parakeet Schedule-IV Least Concern 20 Centropus sinensis Crow pheasant Schedule-IV Least Concern
Butterfly
1 Euploea core Indian common crow Schedule-IV Least Concern 2 Euploea crassa Indian red grass Schedule-IV -
3 Graphium agamemnon Tailed jay Schedule-IV -
b. Threatened Species
173. The field survey results and consultation with stakeholder confirm that in the PAI for the road section there is no habitat of globally threatened species or migratory species visiting the protected area.
E. Socio-economic Environment