Avian and wildlife diversity in the area of bauxite mining near lamba village, Dwarka in the state of Gujarat, India

doi:10.15406/ijawb.2018.03.00090

International Journal of

eISSN: 2574-9862

Avian & Wildlife Biology

Research Article Volume 3 Issue 3

Avian and wildlife diversity in the area of bauxite mining near lamba village, Dwarka in the state of Gujarat, India

Ashok K Rathoure

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Ashok K Rathoure, Ecology & Biodiversity Expert, Ecosystem Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., Hardoi-241001 (UP), India

Correspondence: Ashok K Rathoure, Ecology & Biodiversity Expert, Ecosystem Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., Hardoi-241001 (UP), India, Tel 9194 5050 1471

Received: May 11, 2018 | Published: June 4, 2018

Citation: Rathoure Ak. Avian and wildlife diversity in the area of bauxite mining near lamba village, Dwarka in the state of Gujarat, India. Int J Avian & Wildlife Biol. 2018;3(3):225-229. DOI: 10.15406/ijawb.2018.03.00090

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Abstract

The bauxite is the primary ore of aluminum. Almost all of the aluminum that has ever been produced has been extracted from bauxite. The area in question is rich in bauxite and lime. The mining activity increasing day by day which hinder the movement of wildlife especially birds. The area of bauxite mining is proximity to sea shore and major creek. In this study, 38 birds species (1 species protected under schedule –1 as per Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972), 10 species of reptiles, 5 species of mammals, 13 species of marine fishes were observed.

Keywords: bauxite mining, core zone, buffer zone, mining, avian–biodiversity

Introduction

The avian and wildlife biodiversity of an area depends on several factors of biotic and abiotic components. The coastal areas are rich in avian biodiversity especially sea birds. The mining activity hinders the movement of avian fauna. The bauxite mining activity increasing as demand increased of bauxite for the industrial use. The unorganized and unscientific industrial activities lead the deterioration of abiotic components which affect biotic components. Study area (Figure 1) comprises of 30% Sea, 29% cropping (dominant crop is ground nut), 9% Grassland, 7% fallow land, 5% stone (mainly bauxite), 2% Forest area, 1% human settlement and other area which is dry. The main activity in this area is mining of bauxite mineral as the area is rich in bauxite and lime.

Figure 1 Study area Map.

Methodology

The detailed method and parameters covered for the said study has been highlighted in Table 1. The study area comprises of 8 villages viz. Lamba, Maleta, Navedra, Jodhpar, Gangdi, Satapar, Chachlana, Jamdevliya (Figure 1). Secondary sources and literature was reviewed to identify the representative variety of vulnerable species, inhabitants and ecological groups listed by IUCN, WCMC, ZSI, BSI and Indian Wild life Protection Act, 1972.^1–26 The status of individual species was assessed using the revised IUCN/SSC category system (Table 1) (Figure 1).^27–36

Data	Mode of Data Collection	Parameters Monitored	Remarks
Primary data collection	By Field Survey	–Reptiles, –Amphibians, –Birds, –Fresh water fishes –Mammals, –Butterflies. Rare and Endangered fauna in the study area, Endemic fauna in the study area, Wild life and their conservation importance in the study area.	Random survey, opportunistic observations, diurnal bird observation, active search for reptiles, faunal habitat assessment, active search for microhabitat, scats, foot prints, animal call, pug marks, debarking sign, Nesting, Claws, Dung, etc. and information from local villagers.^12–26
Secondary data collection	Forest Division Data of Fisheries department. Literature like research papers, books published by research/academic institutions.	Interpretation of secondary data for Ecological Sensitive Areas such as national forests, wild life sanctuaries, lakes, ravines, hills, hillocks and reserve forest, importance etc.	The status of individual species was assessed using the revised IUCN/SSC category system.^27–36

Table 1 Mode of Data collection and Parameters considered during the Survey

Results and discussion

As per the map prepared by National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), the study area fall under Central Malwa Highlands, Gujarat Plains and Kathiawar Peninsula which represents hot semi–arid eco–region with medium and deep black soils favorable for millets, wheat, pulses. In this area the agro–biodiversity should be promoted. As per the personal observation recorded (Figure 2), the area has scarcity of drinking water, the vegetation in the area is sparsely distributed, road side plantation and natural creek (mangrove) making the area green for avian wildlife.

Figure 2 Glimpses of Local information and Confirmation from villagers.

Status of the forest

The forest areas of Gujarat are unevenly distributed. The major concentration of forests is found all along the eastern border of the state and the hilly portion of Saurashtra. The wide variations in Geophysical and Eco–climatic conditions ranging from hot saline deserts to humid hilly tracts and from coast to high hills have resulted in to formation of various types of forest. No forest land is involved within the mine lease area; however it is present in the study area. On the basis of forest classification by Champion and Seth 1968, tropical dry deciduous forest exists in the study area. In this type of forest vegetation developed due to they have long dry seasons which last several months and vary with geographic location. The common trees are the teak and a variety of acacia. However, vegetation in core are of mine is very sparsely distributed. As per revenue record and toposheet (SOI), there is a reserved forest (open scrub) for stony waste area. This can be classified under open scrub. This is open and having no vegetation currently, reserved for bauxite mineral.

Avian biodiversity

The 38 avian species were encountered during the survey. The most commonly spotted bird species of this area were Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788), Acridotheres ginginianus (Latham 1790), Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758), Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817), Merops leschenaulti (Vieillot, 1817), Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (Stephens, 1826), Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769), Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783), Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764). Water birds are very common as creek and sea shore line is the major part falls under study area. The Indian Peafowl was observed which is listed as schedule –I as per IWPA, 1972 and others listed as schedule IV as per IWPA, 1972. Total 38 avian species encountered during the study listed in Table 2.

SNO	Family	Common Name	Scientific Name	Schedule/IUCN	Status
1	Accipitridae	Shikra	Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788)	Schedule IV	R
		Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca (Saigny, 1809)	Vulnerable	R
		Black–winged Kite	Elanus caeruleus(Desfontaines, 1789)	Schedule IV	R
2	Alaudidae	Oriental Sky Lark	Alauda gulgula (Franklin, 1831)	Schedule IV	M
3	Alcedinidae	White–throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	R
4	Ardeidae	Indian pond heron	Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832)	Schedule IV	R
		Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	RM
		Little Egret	Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766)	Schedule IV	R
5	Charadriidae	Lapwing	Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783)	Schedule IV	R
6	Ciconiidae	Painted Stork	Mycteria leucocephala (Pennant, 1769)	Schedule IV	RM
7	Columbidae	Eurasian Collared–Dove	Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838)	Schedule IV	R
7	Columbidae	Rufous Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientali (Latham, 1790)	Schedule IV	RM
8	Coraciidae	Indian Roller	Coracias benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	R
9	Cuculidae	Crow–Pheasant	Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815)	LC	R
9	Cuculidae	Blue Rock Pigeon	Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789)	LC	R
10	Dicruridae	Black drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817)	LC	R
11	Laniidae	Great Grey Shrike	Lanius excubitor (Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	RM
12	Laridae	Little Tern	Sternula albifrons(Pallas, 1764)	LC	R
13	Leiotrichidae	Common Babbler	Turdoides caudatus (Dumont, 1823)	Schedule IV	R
14	Meropidae	Chestnut–headed Bee–eater	Merops leschenaulti(Vieillot, 1817)	LC	R
15	Motacillidae	Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava(Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	RM
16	Muscicapidae	Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata(Pallas, 1764)	Schedule IV	R
17	Nectariniidae	Purple Sunbird	Nectarinia asiatica(Latham, 1790)	Schedule IV	R
18	Passeridae	House sparrow	Passer domesticus(Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	R
19	Phalacrocoracidae	Cormorant	Phalacrocorax fuscicollis(Stephens, 1826)	Schedule IV	R
19	Phalacrocoracidae	Little Cormorant	Phalacrocorax niger(Vieillot, 1817)	Schedule IV	RM
20	Phasianidae	Indian Peafowl	Pavo cristatus(Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule I	R
21	Phoenicopteridae	Lesser Flamingo	Phoenicopterus minor(Geoffroy Saint–Hilaire, 1798)	Schedule IV	RM
22	Ploceidae	Baya weaver	Ploceus philippinus(Linnaeus, 1766)	Schedule IV	R
23	Podicipedidae	Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis(Pallas, 1764)	Schedule IV	R
24	Psittacidae	Rose–ringed Parakeet	Psittacula krameri(Scopoli, 1769)	Schedule IV	R
25	Rallidae	White–breasted Water hen	Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769)	Schedule IV	R
25	Rallidae	Coot	Fulica atra(Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	R
26	Scolopacidae	Ruff	Philomachus pugnax(Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	R
27	Sturnidae	Bank Myna	Acridotheres ginginianus(Latham 1790)	Schedule IV	R
28	Threskiornithidae	Eurasian Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia(Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule IV	P
		Red–naped ibis	Pseudibis papillosa(Temminck, 1824)	Schedule IV	R
		Black headed ibis	Throskiornis Melanocephalus(Latham, 1790)	Schedule IV	M

Table 2 Avian Biodiversity in the area

R–Resident, M– Migratory, RM – Resident & Migratory

Wildlife: In amphibian group, the toads were sighted during the study period. In the reptile group, Calotes versicolor (Cuvier, 1817), Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Ruppell, 1835), Sitana ponticeriana (Cuvier, 1817), Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) etc. were observed in the region is given in the Table 3. In the mammals; Funambulus pennantii (Wroughton, 1905), Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich, 1782), Lepus nigricollis (F. Cuvier, 1823), Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766) and Herpestes javanicus (Geoffory Saint–Hilaire, 1818) were observed in the study area are listed in the Table 4. The marine fishes Pampus chinensis (Bonaparte, 1834), Penaeus indicus (Milne–Edwards, 1837), Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Mugil dussumieri (Linnaeus, 1758), Harpodon neherius (Hamilton, 1822), Polynemus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758), Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) etc. are encountered in the coastal area (Figure 3) listed in Table 5.

Figure 3 Marine view at Sea Shore near the Lamba Village.

SNO	Family	Common Name	Scientific Name	Schedule as per 1972
1	Agamidae	Common Garden Lizard	Calotes versicolor(Cuvier, 1817)	Not listed
1	Agamidae	Fan–Throated Lizard	Sitana ponticeriana(Cuvier, 1817)	Not listed
2	Agamidiae	Roux's Forest Lizard	Calotes rouxii(Dumeril and Bibron, 1837)	Not listed
3	Chamaeleonidae	Indian Chameleon	Chameleon zeylanicus(Rafinesque, 1815)	Not listed
4	Colubridae	Checkered Keelback	Xenochrophis piscator(Schneider, 1799)	Schedule II
5	Elapidae	Indian Cobra	Naja naja(Linnaeus, 1758)	Schedule II
5	Elapidae	Common Indian Krait	Bungarus caeruleus(Schneider, 1801)	Schedule II
6	Gekkonidae	House Gecko	Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Ruppell, 1835)	Not listed
7	Viperidae	Indian Saw Scaled Viper	Echis carinatus(Schneider, 1801)	Not listed
8	Viperidae	Russell's Viper	Daboia russelli(Shaw & Nodder, 1797)	Schedule II

Table 3 List of Reptiles in the Study Area

SNO	Family	Common Name	Scientific Name	Status as per IWPA 1972/IUCN
1	Antilopinae	Blue Bull	Boselaphus tragocamelus(Pallas, 1766)	Schedule III
2	Herpestidae	Small Asian mongoose	Herpestes javanicus (Geoffory Saint–Hilaire, 1818)	Schedule II
3	Leporidae	Indian Hare	Lepus nigricollis (F. Cuvier, 1823)	Schedule IV
4	Pteropodidae	Indian flying fox/Fruit bat	Pteropus giganteus(Brünnich, 1782)	LC
5	Sciuridae	Five striped Palm Squirrel	Funambulus pennantii(Wroughton, 1905)	Schedule IV

Table 4 Mammals in Study Area

SNO	Family	Common Name	Scientific Name
1	Clupeidae	Hilsa shad	Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822)
2	Mugilidae	Blue Spot Grey Mullet	Valamugil seheli*(Forsskal, 1775)
3		Grey Mullet	Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
4		Mullet	Mugil dussumieri (Linnaeus, 1758)
5	Penaeidae	Indian Prawn	Penaeus indicus (Milne–Edwards, 1837)
6	Polynemidae	Thread Fin	Polynemus indicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
7	Stromateidae	Pomfret	Pampus chinensis(Bonaparte, 1834)
8	Synodontidae	Bombay Duck (Bumla)	Harpodon neherius(Hamilton, 1822)
9	Sciaenidae	Jewfish	Pseudosciaena amblyceps (Bleeker, 1863)
10	Sciaenidae	Jewfish	Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844)
11			Protonibea diacanthus (Lacepede, 1802)

Table 5 List of Marine Fish
*not seen directly

Domestic animals: Camel, Bull, Buffalo, Sheep, Cow, Goat, etc.

Insects: like Wasps, Honeybees and Signature spider was also recorded (Figure 2) (Figure 3).

RET species: The IUCN Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. Among the birds in the study area, Pea fowl (Pavo cristatus) is included in schedule I of Wild life protection Act (1972), while many other birds are included in schedule IV. Among the reptiles Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799), Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758), Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) and Daboia russelli (Shaw & Nodder, 1797) provided protection as per Schedule–II of Indian Wild life Protection Act, (1972). In the mammal group, Herpestes javanicus (Geoffory Saint–Hilaire, 1818) is protected under schedule–II while others are not covered under schedule–I or II as per Indian Wild life Protection Act, (1972).

Conclusion

Study area has 30% sea shore and 70% terrestrial. No any major forest observed in the study area, the wild life distribution is meager. The wildlife can sustain when human influence will be minimized and agro–forestry will be encouraged. An urgent need to protect agro–biodiversity of the area by using good practice in bauxite mining such as controlled wet blasting, 5m high boundary on periphery of mining area; regular water sprinkling and manual mining instead of mechanized mining, plantation over benches, grooves development, rainwater harvesting and its use in irrigation and restoration of mine pits. The effective plantation should be done in 3 tier green belt development to protect the avian biodiversity of the area.