Specifying the type of biotic (flora & fauna) environmental data to be collected as
appropriate for the scope of EIA
Methodologies
The study area considered for collecting biotic/ecological environment (flora – fauna) data shall
be an area covered within a radius of 10 km around the proposed project site beyond which no
appreciable impact due to the project shall be envisaged. Scope of the EIA is framed as per
MoFE & CC notification of Government of India, considering all the potential consequences of
the project which may cause any significant environmental changes. The following methodology
is to be adopted for generation of data on ecological environment (i.e. flora & fauna):
i) Reconnaissance Survey and Scoping:Ecological experts to undertake site visits to familiarize
themselves with local environmental conditions in and around the proposed project site and
establish environmentally sensitive spots/receptors (ecologically sensitive areas etc.) near and
within the study area. The study area should encompass 10 km radius from the project site;
ii) Environmental Baseline Study:The ecological survey shall be conducted by Ecological
experts through a well-structured questionnaire in the project site and study area and it shall be
designed based on inputs from the scoping and reconnaissance study. Parallel to primary survey,
Ecological experts collect secondary data from various sources.
To characterize the community, certain parameters are to be used which may include
Frequency: No. of sites in which the species occurred / Total nos. of spots studied * 100
Density: Total nos. of individuals of the species / Total nos. of spots studied
Abundance: Total nos. of individuals of the species / Total nos. of spots where the species
occured
Shannon Wiener Index (H): -∑Pi ln Pi [Pielon, 1977]
Where, Pi= ni/N
ni = Total no. of individuals of a particular species
N = Total no. of individuals of all species obtained
Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) = 1-∑(Pi)2
Similarity Quotient(S): 2C/(a+b)*100
Evenness (E) = H/Hmax
Species evenness. Species evenness refers to how close in numbers each species in
an environment is. Mathematically it is defined as a diversity index, a measure of
biodiversity which quantifies how equal the community is numerically. So if there are 40
foxes and 1000 dogs, the community is not very even.
Interpretation of data
The ecological survey plan should contain the following aspects:
Forest Habitat Survey:Forest area, location, type of forest, dominant floral species; Habitat
condition; Non forest habitat.
Vegetation Survey: General vegetation survey of all plants, their relative abundance and
identification of protected species; Quantitative analysis of vegetation by using Transect and
quadrant method; Habitat wise, physiognomy, vegetal species composition and architecture.
Wildlife Habitat Survey: Faunal habitat - Habitat/nesting area/rusting site etc; Migratory
route/path of the wildlife.
Terrestrial Wildlife: Survey of mammals, birds and reptiles - their taxonomic Survey
identification and relative abundances and identification of protected species.
Aquatic Ecology: Survey of aquatic macrophytes; Survey of plankton (zooplankton &phyto-
planktons); Study on fish yield & amphibians.
The ecological study is to interpret highlighting the following aspects to formulate effective
management plan.
a) Whether any of the following ecologically sensitive targets exists within 10 km of the project
site: National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger Reserve/Elephant Reserve, Core Zone of Biosphere
Reserve, Habitat for migratory birds, Lakes/Reservoir/Dams, Stream/Rivers, Estuary/Sea,
Mangroves.
b) Location of any National Park, Sanctuary, Elephant/Tiger Reserve (existing as well as
proposed), migratory routes, etc, if any within 10 km of the project site, shall be specified and
marked on the map duly authenticated by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
c) Presence of the flora/vegetation within 10 km of the project site under following headings:
1) Agricultural crops, 2) Commercial crops, 3) Plantation, 4) Natural Vegetation/Forest, 5)
Grass Lands, 6) Endangered species, 7) Endemic species
d) Presence of fauna (non-domesticated) within 10 km of the project site under the following
headings:
1) Total listing of faunal elements, 2) Endemic fauna species, 3) Endangered species, 4)
Migratory species, 5) Route of migratory species of birds and mammals, 6) Details of
aquatic fauna (if applicable).
The data and listing of flora/fauna may be authenticated from the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests/Chief Wild Life Warden (CWLW). In case of any scheduled fauna, conservation plan
shall also be prepared. If the study area falls within the nesting habitat or breeding ground or
migratory route of any species, then seasonal monitoring needs to be done to assess the impacts
arising out of the project on that species, where seasonal monitoring is not possible then
secondary data needs to be collected to address the issue.
