THE IMPACT OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES OF DAMWE LOWER HEP ON THE WILDLIFE WITH MITIGATIVE MEASURES AND SUGGESTIONS

 

THE IMPACT OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES OF DAMWE LOWER HEP ON the wildlife WITH MITIGATIVE measures AND SUGGESTIONS

                                                            Dr SP Sinha

INTRODUCTION

Demwe Lower HEP of 1750 MW capacity with 163.12 m high dam  proposed at the foothills of river Lohit basin in Lohit district with reservoir extending into Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is noted that the total land requirement for the project is 1589.97 ha including submergence area of 1131 h.

The project area is inhabited mainly by the Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The habitation in the area consists of small villages and people practice cultivation on patches of hill slopes. Cattle rearing at individual level are also widely practiced by the local community. The main agriculture produce of the area is paddy. Besides, maize, millet, wheat, oil seeds, pulses, oranges, banana, pineapple, papaya, litchi, jack fruit etc are also grown but in comparatively less quantity. It was observed that there is no restriction over hunting of birds and wild animals. Because of regular hunting which seems to be traditional in this area has not only depleted the wildlife population but also nearly wiped out from this area. If poaching continues than remaining wildlife sooner or later will vanish from the area.

 

Site visit was carried out in pursuance of the independent wildlife survey to examine the project influenced area & Project component area to assess the possible impacts on wildlife due to construction on Lower Demwe Hydro Project. The outcome is the site visits to the dam site of Demwe Lower HEP, covering submergence area including Tiding area and up to the tail end of submergence at Mompani area all along the upstream of River Lohit till the conditions of movement was possible by considering the slope angle and terrain conditions was negotiable to move forward. In the downstream of Lohit river from proposed dam site at Parsuram Kund to Wakro and Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and its neighbouring villages and forested areas.

           

Earlier a detailed study was conducted to prepare a detailed EIA and EMP report on Demwe HEP. All the important documents like Working Plan of Lohit Forest Division, Working Plan of Namsai Forest Division, Management Plan of Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Published Literature were consulted as well as staff of the Protected Areas were also interacted and information’s gathered about the animal movement in the area and Documents provided by the Project Proponent were layout plan of the project, EIA/EMP report of the project were also consulted.

For the first time in Damwe HEP, to assess the presence of wildlife in remote areas without disturbing the wild animals Camera traps were installed for 3-5 days in different spots in project areas. Unfortunately, we could not trace out any regular trails of animal movement. Not a single photograph of wild animals found in camera trap which is quite shocking and shows the current status & condition of wildlife in projects component areas.

To collect information’s on the wildlife we interacted with the individuals of communities residing in the villages around project areas, village houses were visited. During the survey also interacted with people working in Parsuram Kund temple and the Mahant of the Parshuram temple. According to Mahant as he is living in this temple from 1962 and seen the changes scenario of wildlife and most of wild animal are no more exist mainly because of hunting. Interaction  with the labourer engaged in cane extraction in huge quantity from left bank of the river Lohit by using inflatable boat to cross the river and also the labourers working in the road maintenance hired by BRO (Border road organization)/ GREF to get information about wildlife animals they have confronted recently or in the past. They have seen one leopard and Serow on the left bank on the higher side of the valley but not seen any wild animals in the submergence area.

 

Main emphasis during the current survey was to find out the current status of wildlife in the project areas and the impacts due to project activities on the wildlife and to provide possible mitigatory measures with suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observation on current status of Wildlife in the Project component Areas

Observations are as follows:

1. Lush green forest with under cover of fern, grasses, climbers and full grown trees were seen at proposed Power house as well as on both side of proposed dam site area whereas at proposed Colony and its nearby region has sparse patchy vegetation of open degraded scrub with some large trees. The area all along the river bank in the vicinity of the project comprised of patchy tropical semi-evergreen forest on steep slopes. Grasslands are generally seen in between the forest and also, at many places forest areas are gradually degraded and developed into secondary forests as a result of Jhum cultivation or due to grazing activities. This practices are done only on the community or village owned forests which is belongs to the people of certain community of the area and they do not use any forest belongs to the forest department while interacting with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) based at Tezu. Since entire stretches of Lohit comes under heavy rain fall area and because of this there is fast revival of the vegetation and replenish it very fast despite of the vegetation removal and current practice of Jhum cultivation but it replaced by stunted short trees and with unpalatable ground flora and hardy species of weeds. This repeats the different stages of plant succession to achieve the climax forests and it takes decades to reach to the climax stage.

 

2. During the visit smaller mammals like Orange bellied Himalayan squirrel (Dremomys loktiah), Red giant flying squirrel, Common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi) and Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha), among small reptiles Asian grass lizard and Khasi lizard among reptiles where as among birds Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Blue throated barbet (Megalaima asiatica ), Blue rock thrush (Monticola solitaries), Rose ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica),Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Grey hooded warbler (Phylloscopus xanthoschistos), Grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger), Darter (Anhinga melanogaster ), Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and White capped redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus ) were spotted. 

One Cobra (Naja kaouthia) was sighted over Kamlang Bridge. On the way to Tiding, five kilometers from Salangam village, Green Pit Viper (Vitido vipera / Popeia genus) and a rare limbless lizard (Ophiosaurus gracilis) also known as Burmese Glass Snake but it is not a snake. There is only one species of legless lizard found on Indian soil and restricted to this area with external ear open and movable eyelid was found (Plate-II, 1 & 2). A fully grown Cobra was sighted on the road near the office complex of the Damwe HEP. During the survey not a single crow was observed in the project area. Earlier two troops of Common langur (Presbytes entellus) were seen above the proposed dam site area on left bank but now they might have shifted in another area. May be because of blasting in power house area and in diverting tunnel this group might have shifted elsewhere. During the entire survey period not a single animal pug marks, hoof marks or spoor or any type of feeding signs were found which shows the animal presence. On the other hand no animal trails were detected on which animals move during the night hours and later to confirm it camera traps were installed in different places to photograph the animals but no results.

Another development took place in this area is villagers long back has started extensive cultivation of crops by clearing the forests & grasslands and keeping cow camps in the entire stress of both right and left bank of the river Lohit below the Wankro and Kamlang forests in the entire flood plain of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam States.

3. No evidences of presence of elephants (Elephus maximus), tiger (Panthera tigris), common leopard (Panthera pardus) or other wild mammals including species of conservation importance were encountered in project component and nearby areas. It is observed that, wildlife of the area is facing considerable anthropogenic pressure especially in the open fringed areas of the forest where very little wildlife was reported. This may be due to the fact that these areas are easy to access and has more human interference therefore wild animals avoid these areas and are usually confined to the inner part of the forest which is dense and inaccessible. Interaction with the few of the locals also confirmed that now a day they hardly found any animal for hunting in these areas and go to the remote areas for hunting.

 

4. It is also noticed that the wildlife of the area and its habitat in the surrounding areas of the project is under direct threat due to poaching is related to diet of the locals but also associated with their cultural customs and to show the status by keeping wildlife trophies in the house. The illegal felling and collection of non-timber forest produce like extraction of wild ginger and wild turmeric  at large scale. There is urgent need of mass awareness among the local inhabitant to know the importance of wildlife in the ecological system.

 

5. Skulls of wild animals hunted by the locals are seen exhibited in their houses used as a pride and status symbol of hunting traditions and to ward off evil spirits. Similar observations were made by the Aiyadurai, (2007) in the report “Hunting in a Biodiversity Hotspot: A survey on hunting practices by indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh, North-east India” and Chowdhury, (1996) had also reported that, animal skulls displayed in houses were used as currency in the past. During the current visit to different villages in Wankro, Mewai-II, found that large number of wildlife trophies were decorated on wall with skin still intact at the base of Barking deer’s antlers. This shows animal was killed recently. Most of the wild animals trophies kept inside the house were mainly Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), Barking deer/ Muntjac (Muntjac muntjac), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Wild boar (Sus scrofa) and an old trophy of Wild buffalo, were killed by the local villagers. In most of the houses Mithuns are consumed and heads are kept displaying on the wall.  It was shocked to see that even birds like Cormonent and darter (Snake birds) are not safe in the area because they are also killed by the local inhabitants and fishermen.

 

6. In Tiding village, villagers informed that from time to time Himalayan Black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) are being killed for its bile gland and sold. He wanted to show a dry bile gland but later denied because of suspicion. While interaction with person concern told that wild animal trophies which kept inside the house animals were killed long back and now a day’s hard to find in the area. Most of the wild animals trophies kept inside the house were mainly Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), Barking deer/ Muntjac (Muntjac muntjac), Wild boar (Sus scrofa) were killed by the local inhabitants and heads of Mithuns commonly consumed during special occasions.

 

7. As per the observation during the survey of the area and interacting with local inhabitants found that below the villages towards the entire river stretch from Parshuram Kund to Mompani have no large wild animals/ large mammals of conservation significance are found because of heavy poaching pressure but on the higher elevation there are possibilities of few wild animals found but they also under threat of hunting pressure. Mainly because of labour force of cane extractor and from time to time local inhabitant go to such remote area look for the hunt like Serow and Barking deer. On the other hand since snakes are not being eaten in this area are found in good number but get killed by the moving vehicles, labour force of cane extractor and also killed by the working force of Border Road Organization (BRO).

 

8. Due to various project related components like submergence, road construction, dam structure, labour camps, staff residential colony and office complex will proposed to be acquired around 1588.97 ha of land. The diversion of land and its use will to an extent make changes in terms of habitat degradation and its destruction. On the other hand precautions must be taken into account that after the removal of tree and other vegetation soil will expose and will leads into mass seepages of silt directly go into the river course and will produce more silt during the monsoon season. In view of that work should be carefully done in phase manner by observing the soil conditions. In the dam and power house sites area is covered dense, mixed and open forest comprise of Crateva unilocularis, Duabanga grandiflora, Endospermum chinense, Mangifera sylvalica and Pterospermum acerifolium, herbs comprise of Achyranthes aspera, Bidens bipinnata, Commelina bengalensis, Digitaria cillaris while during the development phase all the tree species will be removed and will change the micro climate and habitat degradation of the area. Since no large wild animals were sighted in this area. Therefore will be no direct threat of impact on wildlife by the project activities.

 

9. The 23 km long tract along the Lohit River will submerge around 1131 ha which is covered with dense and open forest on both the side of the river. Number of small size birds, butterflies and snakes are found during the survey and will shift on their own to higher side. As the water level increases and trees like Aglaia spectabilis, Albazia odoratissima, Bischofia javanica, Castanopsis indica, Discorea pentaphylla, Piper pendicillatum are mainly found in this stretch will be removed and will submerge.

 

10. From Tiding village to 4 Km distance (Governor Point) from Parshuram Kund, a diversion road of around 29 km is under construction. In this junction laborers shelter hut is being build where both BRO laborer and labor force of cane extractor stay during the night hours. Already around 10 km road has been constructed and construction is carried out from both the side. In this activity < 50 laborers are working in full swing. In this stretch up to Tiding there are 4 labour camps and about 50 labors are from GREF. The old path way is now broadened and will shorten the distance up to Tiding. Once this area was remote and large number of retiles and small birds were sighted with dense under cover with pristine habitat. Although development is must be to improve the quality of life and for smooth movement with all weather roads are needed to enhance the economic growth of the region.

 

11. During the survey it has been observed that because of sharp slope angle in both side of the river Lohit movement of wildlife is not possible and to stay longer but for local movement it can negotiate. Since hunting is a common practice in the entire valley so survival of large mammals in this terrain is not possible.

 

Mitigatory Measures:

The following suggestive mitigaory measures are as follows:

1. Most of the large herbivores like Barking deer, Serow, Sambar, Wild boar and large birds like Great Hornbill, Kaleej Pheasant, Hill Partridge, water birds like Darter (Snake bird), Cormonent and migratory birds includes Brahminy ducks/ Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea),Pintail ducks (Anas acuta) are regularly get poached whenever local inhabitant came across the animals. The main attention should be given with help of forest department over mass awareness among local inhabitants and labourers; boatman’s hired for different purposes should be monitored about their movement going up to the hill area to poach the existing large herbivores. Movement of local inhabitant must be monitored by the Forest and Wildlife department if they are involved in the poaching of wild animals or not.

 

2. While surveying the Tiding village and other villages, in houses skulls of wild animals were found and large number of skulls mounted over the wall comprise of Barking deer, Serow and wild boar. Even in the higher elevation wild animals are not safe. It is the task of Forest & Wildlife Department to see and solve the matter with local people participation in conserving wildlife of the area. Unless until a mass awareness programme is launched to create interest in the conservation of wildlife with help of each village head. Otherwise, it is impossible to save the remaining wildlife of the area.

 

3.  Local inhabitant regularly prefers animal meat in their diet. They use different type of animals like Mithun, domestic pig, Goat and chicken. They also go after the wild animals whenever opportunity arises. In view of this if at village level breeding centre for Mithun, pig and poultry are proposed to establish to cater the need of the villagers by paying a nominal price. This should be done with consent of the village head and villagers. If such breeding centers are established than problem of poaching to an extent will decrease along with this mass awareness for conservation and protection of wildlife is needed.

 

4. New road is being build which shortened the distance between Tiding to Parshuram Kund for fast movement. This will degrade the habitat condition of this stretch and due to construction of road impact on wildlife will due to the laborers activity number of snakes of rare and endangered status gets killed along with poaching. Therefore, it should be closely monitored regularly by the Forest and Wildlife Department to avoid such instances.

 

Environmental Management Plan

Thorough scrutiny of the Environmental Management Plans formulated for the project revealed that, detailed plans for Wildlife Management, Biodiversity Management, and Forest Protection which would be implemented by the State Forest and Wildlife department has been proposed with total estimated cost of Rs. 892.41 lakhs with major provisions as below-

·         Habitat improvement,

·         Construction of watchtowers & check posts,

·         Improvement of footpath, Waterholes/check dams,

·         Estimation of wildlife,

·         Conservation of vulnerable spp.,

·         Control of forest fires,

·         Patrolling and surveillance, Anti-poaching measures, 

·         Eco-development, 

·         Enhancing wildlife diversity,

·         Awareness programme, education and training, Manpower etc.

 

Based on the above mentioned plans, suggestions follows on conservation awareness among local inhabitants and the visitors, conservation measures of wildlife and income generating options for the local inhabitants of the Damwe Lower HEP area:

 

A. Conservation awareness among local inhabitants, visitors and information’s about the Damwe Lower HE Project:

1. Setting up of an Interpretation Centre to be based nearby Parshuram temple area or on the way to current project office complex site

Broadly speaking interpretation means a process of a developing visitor interest in an area, so that he has a better perception and understanding of its beauty complexity and variety with respect to a nature area. It should help the visitors to develop a feeling of being at home in natural environment. It should also help in creating visitors awareness regarding man’s place in a ecosystem and his responsibilities. Freeman Tildon defines Interpretation as an educational activity which aims to reveal meaning & relationship through the use of original objects by firsthand experience and by illustrative media rather than simply to communicate factual information’s.

 

 

Objectives and activities of Interpretation Centre

1.      To assist the visitor in developing keenness, awareness, appreciation and understanding the area, about the local inhabitants, their life style, use of natural resources from forests.

2.      To assist the visitor in understanding the attributes like richness of flora and fauna, the environment values and activities.

3.      To know about the Damwe HEP in details and the output in terms of the power generation and this will help in many ways to the Nation and also will generate employment at local level.

 

Staff members will be look after the maintenance of  interpretation the and the visitors. The proposed interpretation center consists of four sections joint together with each section comprise of:

 

1. Section One:

In the beginning over all description about Arunachal Pradesh in a big map showing Damwe HEP with topographical description and related information’s. This section also give detail information’s about Damwe HEP, layout plan, Maps, Dam structure and project related activities from the very beginning right from study phase onwards and about power generation with photographic illustration.

 

2. Section Two:

This section should be related to the local habitant of the project area with photographs showing their living style, traditional dress and different types of things used by them, dependency over natural resources for food, medicines, and different types of handicrafts, instruments and about the different activities going to start by the project proponent under eco-development, income generation ways & means. This section also comprises of showing different tribes found in Arunachal Pradesh and their living style.

 

3. Section Three:

Natural Heritage of the area: This section will be divided into three sub-sections which are as follows:

 

Sub-Section A: Descriptive photo-documentation of the flora of the project area and onwards, photographs of different forest type, variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers found in this area and plants of conservation significance.

 

Sub-Section B: This section will comprise of photo-documentation of endangered, highly endangered, rare and endemic flora of the area.

 

Sub-Section C: This section will comprise of photo-documentation of medicinal plants found in this area and which part of plants are being used by local tribal people of this area.

 

 

4. Section Four:

Section four will mainly based on the photo-documentation & description of the different faunal elements found in this area or was used to found in this area showing with altitudinal variations. This section has five sub-sections comprise of:

 

Sub-section A: Mammalian section will show all the mammals smaller and bigger found in this valley and their conservation significance. Different wildlife trophies can be procured on request from different villages and kept it in the interpretation center after getting the permission from the Office of Chief Wildlife Warden, Arunachal Pradesh.

 

Sub-section B: Birds section will show the bird diversity of the valley and conservation significance.

 

Sub-section C: Reptile section will comprise and showing diversity of reptiles found in this valley.

 

Sub-section D: Fish section: Photographs with details of different type of fishes found in the entire stretch of River Lohit and conservation significance.

 

Sub-section E: Butterflies and insects will comprise of photo-documentation different types of butterflies and insects found in this area along with their conservation significance. In the end part will depict the cause of determining reason and cause of habitat destruction and causes of vanishing wildlife.

 

Gift and souvenir shop

One small gift shop with all the items produced by the tribal people of the area like handicrafts, products produced by the local people and, informative pamphlets, wildlife photographs of the project areas.

Budget requirement for establishment of Interpretation center:

1. For a new Interpretation will cost: Rs 60 Lacs

2. If Building is available cost will be: Rs 30 Lacs

For establishing an interpretation center contact:

Director,

Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun-248001 Uttarakahnd

B. Establish of Rescue & Rehabilitation centre and a breeding centre for endangered birds

1. Rescue centre for rescued  and injured wild animals and breeding centre endangered Bird species for Kalij Pheasant, Partridge and Jungle fowl to be developed in remote area inside the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary to enhance the wildlife diversity of the area.

For setting up of a rescue and breeding center permission has to be taken from Central Zoo Authority of India, New Delhi, to be proposed from Chief Wildlife Warden, Arunachal Pradesh.

The main objective to develop Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre is:

1.      To take care of injured animals due to accident or trapped

2.      Treat the rescued animals

3.      After treatment release into the wild

 

A simple structure required to be built as a rescue centre which will comprise of cabin type enclosure and squeeze cabin for treatment with strong chain-link fence to be covered properly from all side. A proper arrangement of shade to the animal must be provided. A small shallow water tank will be built inside each enclosure with a feeding stall. Once the animal is fully recovered after treatment should be released into the wild or if not possible than send to zoos. Before establishing such rescue and rehabilitation centre, Range Officer along with a veterinary officer of the respective range can be sent to different rescue and rehabilitation centre to get the knowledge about to run a rescue centre and learn how to take care of injured animals.

 

Setting up of breeding center for endangered birds:

Enclosures for the breeding birds should be constructed as per norms prescribed by the Zoo Authority of India, New Delhi. Captive wild stock from Zoos from Arunachal Pradesh should be used to breed the native species of the area. After rearing up to a particular age birds should be released into the wild. Before setting up breeding center experts from World Pheasant Organization, New Delhi should be consulted for proper instructions regarding captive wild stock availability, rearing and food habits.

Funding: Funding by the State Forest and Wildlife department, Arunachal Pradesh and diverting some funds from State CAMPA funds.

C. Income generating options for the local people under eco-developmental activities:

Initially the recommended income generating options may or may not be accepted by the local inhabitants to get better results and success in the beginning only a limited number of villages situated nearby area should be taken as model villages. After successful operation and productive results slowly people get aware of the results and will adopt the options. With consultation of Head of villages and village representatives should be involved to communicate in better way with the local people. For these activities local EDC/NGOs with collaboration with tribal welfare officer of tribal welfare scheme or rural development scheme for funding partially or fully and additional fund from Project Proponent. The following income generation options are proposed:

1. Mithun and domestic pig breeding centre

2. Poultry farm

3. Honey bee keeping

3. Production of articles from Cane extracted from forests

4. Mushroom cultivation

5. Incense sticks production from Bamboo

6. Silk worm rearing for the Silk pproduction

7. Banana and Jack fruit chips

8. Hand paper from wild banana trees

9. Encourage in production of local handicraft

10. Cultivation of large cardamom and other spices

11. Driftwood collection and reshaping for sale

12. Production of wormy fertilizer

 

 

Conclusion of the current Survey

1. There will be no direct impact of project activities on the large fauna in the project component areas because they are not sighted and found no indirect evidences in the entire stretch of the project area. This was also confirmed by the local villagers.

2. Local awareness among local inhabitants about the wildlife conservation & protection is needed to check the killing of wild animals.

3. Due to construction of road from Tiding to Governor Point will degrade the habitat by cutting trees & soil removal area will lost its remoteness and large number of snakes are going to be killed by the working force.

4. The construction of dam will lead to modification of habitat in upstream and will change into semi-lacustrine flow, in physical, chemical and biological characteristics which will lead to adverse impact on the fishes like Tor putitora, T.mosal, Acrosscheilus hexagonolepia. The construction will impact on the upward movement of fishes for breeding and spawning sites for above mentioned fishes. Mitigatory measures are prescribed in the Environmental Management Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Plate.1 Camera Traps installed to photograph wild animals in different sites of the Project area

  

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Photo Plate.II. Snakes found during the current survey

(1) Limbless Lizard(Ophiosourus gracilis)

(2) Green Pit Viper (Virido vipera / Popeis genus)

Photo Plate III. Skulls (Heads) of different wild animals in Tiding village

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Photo Plate IV. Skull (Heads) of different wild animals in a house of Mawai-II village

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Photo Plate V. Heads of different wild animals in Mawai-II village

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Annexure: I

Methodology of Faunal Study

(For detail study of fauna in project component areas following methods are prescribed with data sheets to be used in the field)

1.      Mammals: 

(i)                 Transect and trails in each stratum will be walked. In each stratum total 10 km length of transect will be walked. The individual transect/trail length will be 2 km. Encounter rate, age, sex, female-young ratio will be estimated from this data. Four to five separate walks will be done along the river to collect information on riverine tract.

(ii)                Camera Traps: On the study transects in each Kilometer distance on the trails cameras will be installed to collect information’s on the small mammals and other animals usually not noticed during the day time but active during night hours. This will serve as a record on the animal sighting.

2.       Avi-Fauna:

Birds will be sampled on same transects marked for mammals. Total of 10km will be walked. The individual transect/trail will be of 1 km in length. Four to five separate walks will be done along the river to collect information on riverine tract. The multiple walks will be done to prepare date wise inventory.

3.      Herpeto-fauna: The same transect trail for mammals will also be used for herpeto-fauna. The herpeto-fauna sampling will be done time constrained search. The herpeto-fauna data will also be collected along river and the sampling will be repeated during night. The multiple walks will be done to prepare date wise inventory.

4.       Insects and Butterflies & Moths: Information’s on insects, butterflies and moths will be collected seasonally. Samples will be collected by keeping light traps and preserved in jars and later get it identified.

5.      Collection of Secondary Information’s:

·         The Forest Working Plans of the Forest Divisions falling in the project area will be referred to for secondary information on the wildlife of the area.

·         Interviews of local villagers for the presence and relative abundance of various animal species within each locality.

·         Interaction with the Sheppard’s and past hunters to understand the man animal conflict and the current scenario of wildlife population in the project area.