The ecology and biodiversity of any area is the indicator of that particular area. Increasing population demanding more food and place to sustain, the biodiversity of area can be protected and conserved to better life and sustainability. Rapid industrialization is degrading the local biodiversity, hence it is strongly recommended that the industry set up should be at defined place or notified industrial area viz. MIDC (Maharashtra), GIDC (Gujarat), UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh), etc.

Keywords: avifauna, biodiversity, industrialization, notified industrial area

Peculiarity in the species composition and functioning of ecosystem carried out by anthropogenic activities. The first part to be affected directly as well as indirectly and in a short, medium- and long-term span would be the biotic component of the area.^1,2 The biological assessment is trustworthy and acceptable method to understand the impact on surroundings. This leads to suggestion of remedial measures for minimizing the anticipated impacts on the ecosystem and living things. The change in biotic community is studied by the pattern in the distribution, abundance and diversity. This peculiarity of plants can be utilized to assess the impacts of ensuring project on flora and fauna of the region, which are important components of biological environment. In this regard, the baseline condition of the study area needs to be studied.^3,4 As the environment change, species best adapted to that environment becomes predominant. Diversity influences by the nature of the ecosystem. Flora is basically the plant and fauna the animal life that are present in a region or habitat or at a particular time. Flora and fauna form a major part of biodiversity.^5,6

The main objectives of the ecology and biodiversity studies in Avadhan Industrial Zone (Maharashtra) and in its surrounding are presented as below:

• To assess the vegetation types, identify the flora and fauna, rare and endangered species.
• To prepare list of flora and fauna of the study area along with classification for fauna as per schedule given in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

An ecological survey of the study area was conducted particularly with reference to listing of species and assessment of the existing baseline ecological conditions in the study area as per standard protocol^7–23 and given by Rathoure et. al.^24–28

Forest and forest type of study area

Industrial Zone and surrounding area come under dry deciduous and southern thorn forest types.^29–31 Mixed forest consisting of various varieties of species the occurrence of which is considerably influenced by biotic interferences and management. Major tree species occurring in the forest can be listed as Teak, Anjan, Arjun, Bel, Babul, Khair, Palas, Parijatak etc. Growth of plants quite stunted because of poor soil quality but growth of grasses is abundant in all areas. Major land is covered with scrub forest which is uneconomic and thorny species. Biological environment of the area was studied during the study period. No endangered species have been sighted in the area. No Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Corridors exists within study area of 10km radius.³²

Floristic composition

The dominant species in this area are Acacia catechu, Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata, Hardwickia binata, Zizipus jujuba etc. The structure and composition of vegetation in the buffer zone was studied by visual observations during the site visit. The study area is dominated by agricultural fields. Most of the area is covered by active cropping accompanying patches of barren land and grassland in between. The project is in the area which is considered to be dry deciduous zone with geographically having no distinct variation. However, Tapti river and small water bodies comes in 10 km radius and its presence surrounding region is rich in the bird diversity apart from the floral and faunal diversity as compared to other part of the area. The study area has dry and arid type of climate. Most of the area is covered by the agricultural fields with natural vegetation in between. No reserved forest, National Park or any other ecologically sensitive zone like Wildlife Sanctuary is recorded in buffer zone. About the tree vegetation is concerned Azadirachta indica, Acacia nilotica and Prosopis juliflora occur in abundance. Other dominant tree species exhibited by the region are Acacia leucophlea, Albizia lebbeak, Boswellia serrata, Mangifera indica, Senna siamea, Cassia fistula, Tamarindus indicus, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus racemosa, Hardwikia binnata, Bauhinia racemosa, Aegle marmelos, Anogeisus latifolia, Annona squamosa, Bombax ceiba, Bougainvillea glabra, Butea monosperma, Dalbergia sissoo, Delonix regia, Ficus racemosa, Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica, Peltophorum pterocarpum and many others.^33–35

Some of the plants introduced by human beings, agencies either as ornamentals, fruits, vegetable sources or merely as the curiosities. Barren and grassy land show the occurrence of Justicia adathoda, Calotropis procera, Agave americana, Euphorbia tirucali, Nerium pulchellum, Argemone mexicana, Lantana camara, Gymnosporia montana, Ricinus communis, etc. grasses are found in abundance, particularly during rainy season. The list of plant species recorded during primary survey listed in Table 1 &Figure 1.

Figure 1 Glimpses of plant species in the study area.

Faunal diversity

Faunal diversity studied during field visit and categorised as per the respective groups and occurrence as well. Tapti river is closer to Avadhan industrial area (within 10km radius) and good diversity of bird species has been observed.

Odonates: Dragonflies and damselflies play key roles in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They are predators as both nymphs and adults, feeding on a variety of prey including nuisance species such as mosquitoes and biting flies. They can be indicators of different biotypes and habitats and have been used as tools to assess the biological health of aquatic habitats and to detect levels of heavy metals such as mercury. They are also considered model organisms to assess the effects of global climate change (Table 2).

Beetles: Beetles are important biological control agents of aphids and scale insects and useful as decomposers and recyclers of organic nutrients also. Seven species of beetles (Table 3) found during faunal survey from 3 families of which Coccinellinae is more dominant family.

Bugs: Insects are crucial components of many ecosystems, where they perform many important functions. They aerate the soil, pollinate blossoms and control insect and plant pests. As decomposers, insects help create topsoil, the nutrient-rich layer of soil that helps plants grow. Without insects to help break down and dispose of wastes, dead animals and plants would accumulate in our environment and it would be messy indeed. Insects are underappreciated for their role in the food web. They are the sole food source for many amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Seven bugs (Table 4) were recorded during survey. Chrysocoris sp. also known as Jewel bug was most common insect found during survey especially on weed Croton sp., which is host plant for this bug.

Butterflies: Ecosystem value. Butterflies and moths are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. They indicate a wide range of other invertebrates, which comprise over two-thirds of all species. These collectively provide a wide range of environmental benefits, including pollination and natural pest control. Total 23 species of butterflies found during the survey (Table 5 & Figure 2).

Figure 2 Glimpses of fauna species in study area.

Avifauna: As with other native organisms, birds help maintain sustainable population levels of their prey and predator species and, after death, provide food for scavengers and decomposers. Many birds are important in plant reproduction through their services as pollinators or seed dispersers. The bird species were mostly observed around Tapti river, agriculture fields and human habitation (Table 6 & Figure 3).

Figure 3 Glimpses of avi-fauna species in study area.

Mammals: Faunal assessment provides a basis for determining relative abundance and rarity of each species which is important for assessing the diversity of fauna of an area. Since animals are capable of movements from one place to another, this makes their study entirely different. Different animals prefer different types of habitat for food and shelter. There was no major physical sighting of large mammals during biodiversity study other than domestic mammals’ viz. cow, buffalo, cat, stray dogs, goat etc. During the field studies some tracks and signs Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) and domesticated animals were observed in the study area (Table 7).

The Industrial development is associated with both positive and negative impacts on the environment. The strong Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should prepared for the industrial area to minimize negative impacts and is formed on the basis of prevailing environmental conditions and likely impacts of manufacturing activity on various environmental parameters. EMP will also facilitate monitoring of environmental parameters. Preparation of Environmental Management Plan is required for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of environmental protection measures. EMP should include schemes for proper and scientific treatment and disposal mechanism for air, liquid and solid hazardous pollutants. Apart from this, green belt development, safety aspect of the workers, noise control, fire protection etc. should also include in it. Adequate budgetary provisions should be made by proponent/investor. The management for execution of environmental management plans should be framed. The detailed capital and recurring (per annum) budget should be earmarked for pollution control/monitoring equipment; operation and maintenance of pollution control facilities. A strong EMP will manage almost the negative impacts of any industrial activity.^36,37

Based on primary survey, total 149 plants species have been recorded, out of which 65 tree species, 18 shrubs species and 55 herbs and 11 climber species are identified in entire study area. Total 8 species of odonates, 7 species of bugs and 7 species of beetles have been reported during entire field visit from different habitats on project site. Total 23 species of butterflies found during the field survey which shows greater diversity of butterflies. Total 78 bird species were recorded in the study area, most of them around the water bodies and grassland. Mammals observed during field survey were 8 species which are mostly common, no threatened taxa have been reported from Avadhan industrial Zone (Notified Industrial Area). An effective environmental management plan is recommended for industrial area to negate the environmental pollution.

None.

The author declares there is no conflict of interest.

None.

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