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
1 2
3 4
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
1
2
Photo
Plate IV. Skull (Heads) of different wild animals in a house
of Mawai-II village
1
2
Photo
Plate V. Heads of different wild animals in Mawai-II village
1
2
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.
