rapid ecological assessment of impacts of lower demwe ... · hon’ble principal bench of ngt, new...

Rapid Ecological Assessment of Impacts of Lower Demwe Hydro-Electric Project

on Wildlife Values

Report submitted to the National Board of Wildlife

Standing Committee (NBWL-SC)

August 2018

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Contents Contents .............................................................................................................................................................. 1

Background ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Objectives............................................................................................................................................................ 5

Study Area and Methods ................................................................................................................................... 6

Zone maps ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Results ................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................................... 16

References ......................................................................................................................................................... 20

Appendix I: Proposal for ‘Geospatial Analysis of Impacts of Lower Demwe Hydro-Electric

Project on the Riverine Ecosystem of Lohit Basin, Arunachal Pradesh’ ............................................ 21

Background .............................................................................................................................................. 21

Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 22

Methods .................................................................................................................................................... 23

Outcomes ................................................................................................................................................. 23

Activity timeline of the study ................................................................................................................ 24

Budget of the study................................................................................................................................. 25

Annexures ......................................................................................................................................................... 26

Annexure I) Details of the sites visited .................................................................................................... 26

Annexure II) Glossary and Abbreviations ............................................................................................... 30

Annexure III) About Lower Demwe HE Project .................................................................................. 31

Annexure IV) Chronology of Events pertaining to clearance .............................................................. 33

Annexure V) Literature review .................................................................................................................. 35

Annexure VI) Field Photographs .............................................................................................................. 39

Annexure VII) List of people interacted.................................................................................................. 53

Annexure VIII) List of fishes .................................................................................................................... 57

Annexure IX) List of herpetofauna .......................................................................................................... 58

Annexure X) List of birds .......................................................................................................................... 59

Annexure XI) List of mammals ................................................................................................................ 72

Annexure XII) Undertaking by project proponents .............................................................................. 76

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List of tables

Table 1. Details of the zones in which the study area is divided (see Map 1) ........................................... 6

Table 2. Threatened species recorded during the present survey ............................................................. 14

Table 3. Details of the sites visited during the present survey .................................................................. 26

Table 4. Timeline of activities of the study .................................................................................................. 24

Table 5. Head-wise Budget of the proposed study ..................................................................................... 25

Table 6. List of people interviewed during the survey ............................................................................... 53

Table 7. List of fish species recorded during the survey ............................................................................ 57

Table 8. List of reptile and amphibian species recorded during the survey ............................................ 58

Table 9. List of bird species recorded during the survey ........................................................................... 59

Table 10. List of mammal species recorded during the survey (P: primary data, S: secondary data) .. 72

List of Maps

Map 1. Study area in Lohit river basin highlighting the survey zones, protected areas and also the

proposed HEP sites. (TPRF: Tezu Proposed Reserve Forest, DSNP: Dibru Saikhowa National Park

.............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Map 2. Zone 1: From Tiding village (zero point of reservoir) to Parshuram Kund. ............................... 9

Map 3. Zone 2: From Parshuram Kund to Demwe village ......................................................................... 9

Map 4. Zone 3: From Demwe village to Alubari bridge ............................................................................ 10

Map 5. Zone 4: From Alubari bridge to Dhola-Sadiya bridge .................................................................. 10

Map 6. Zone 5: From Dhola-Sadiya bridge to Lohit mahasangam .......................................................... 11

Map 7. Study area highlighting the locations of signs of important species ........................................... 13

Map 8. Sighting locations of Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in Zone 4 and 5 ..... 13

Map 9. A potential Tiger corridor (highlighted in green border) through the chaporis of river Lohit.. 15

List of Images

Image 1. Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis): Male sighted in Zone 4. ............................................ 14

Image 2. Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis) sighted at DSNP ................................................... 14

Image 3. Location of dam site and surrounding habitat ............................................................................ 39

Image 4. Dam site and surrounding habitat: ground view ......................................................................... 39

Image 5. Surveying the chaporis by crossing streams on foot in zone 1 and 2. ........................................ 40

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Image 6. Surveying on country made hand boat in Zone 3 ...................................................................... 41

Image 7. Surveying on country made motor boat in Zone 4 .................................................................... 41

Image 8. Surveying on cruise type motor boat in zone 5........................................................................... 41

Image 9. Surveying on speed boat in DSNP ............................................................................................... 41

Image 10. Top) River Lohit at Tiding, Middle) Plumbeous Water redstart, Bottom) Brown Dipper 42

Image 11 From Zone 2: Top) Grasslands and Trees of Dalbergia sissoo on the chaporis, Bottom right)

Large Tree Frog; Bottom left) Flying lizard Draco maculatus ...................................................................... 43

Image 12. Cattle grazing on the chaporis of Zone 2 .................................................................................. 44

Image 13. Local sand and boulder mining from dry River bed from Zone 3. ....................................... 44

Image 14. Upstream migration of stream fishes for spawning in river Lohit (Zone 3) ........................ 45

Image 15. Use of gill nets to catch stream fishes of river Lohit in Zone 3 ............................................. 45

Image 16. Fishes of Lohit: 1) Barilius sp., 2)Cabdio morar, 3) Devario aequipinnatus, 4) Garra sp. 5)

Neolissochylus hexgonolepis, 6) Xenentodon cancila................................................................................ 46

Image 17. Nest of Streaked Weaver bird found on a chapori from Zone 3 ........................................... 47

Image 18. The chaporis of Zone 3 representing the mosaic of wet grasslands and semi evergreen

forest .................................................................................................................................................................. 47

Image 19. Spotted Litter Skink found on the forest floor in Zone 3 ....................................................... 48

Image 20. Tribal people encountered during the survey in proposed Tezu reserve forest .................. 48

Image 21 Top) Wet grasslands in Maguri beel (Zone 5), Bottom: left)Striated Babbler, right) Nal

grass.................................................................................................................................................................... 49

Image 22. Cutting of Bombax ceiba trees from the bank of river Lohit in Zone 4 .............................. 50

Image 23 Top) Paddyfield Pipit a commonly found on the chaporis of lohit, Bottom: left) Rat snake

crossing the river channel, right) Amur falcon (flock of 40 was seen) from Zone 4 ............................. 50

Image 24. Top) Bengal Florican single male flushed from a chapori, Bottom) Bengal Florican three

individuals fludhed subsequently from the same chapori from Zone 4 .................................................. 51

Image 25. Left) Elephant tracks found in chaporis in Zone 5. Right) Wild Buffalos sighted in DSNP

............................................................................................................................................................................ 52

Image 26. A river channel cutting through the semi evergreen forest in DSNP ................................... 52

Disclaimer

Maps are prepared in Google-Earth and may vary on ground.

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Background

River Lohit is one of the three major tributaries of river Brahmaputra. This snow fed river originates

at a high altitude glacier in Tibet, flows through the Eastern Himalayan ranges and enters Indian

Territory in Kibitho area. Near Parshuram Kund, a pilgrimage site, river Lohit flows out of

mountain gorge and meets the plain. The river channel hereafter is highly braided resulting into the

formation of numerous riverine islands also locally knows as ‘chaporis’. Due to the melting of glacier,

the Lohit river basin experiences a natural flooding during summers (May to September) while has a

minimum flow during winter (October to April). During flood season, this region also receives a

high rainfall from south-western monsoon adding to its intensity. Every year this flooding alters the

geomorphology of the river basin eroding some of the older chaporis and forming new ones

elsewhere. As a result, many of the chaporis have tall and wet grasslands as dominant habitat. Many

bird species like Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), Black-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis

flavirostris), Swamp Prinia (Laticila cinerascens), Marsh Babbler (Pellorneum palustre) etc. are obligate

dwellers of such wet grasslands (Chatterjee et al., 2006; Choudhury 2006; Jha et al. 2018; IUCN

2018). Those larger chaporis which do not get completely submerged in floods also have a moist

deciduous and semi-evergreen forest along with wet grasslands on the fringes. Such forests may act

as potential corridors for the movement of large carnivores like Tiger (Panthera tigris) and Leopard

(Panthera pardus) and large herbivores like Elephants (Elephas maximus) and Buffalos (Bubalus arnee)

between the adjoining protected areas. On the other hand, the aquatic system of Lohit includes

endangered Ganges River Dolphin (Planatnista gangetica gangetica) (Wakid 2009), many species of

endangered turtles (Choudhury 1998) and fishes (Kansal & Arora 2012). This system has evolved

under an annual flood regime, which is the major driver of this dynamic ecosystem. Annual floods

determine the creation, destruction and productivity of the river/chapori ecosystem. The flora and

fauna of the aquatic as well as grass-forest mosaic system have special adaptations with respect to

their migration, breeding biology and overall community composition in response to the annual

flood regime.

Considering its hydro-morphology in the mountain gorges, the upper stretches of Lohit river (as

well as upper stretches of rivers Siang and Dibang) are known to have a high hydroelectric potential

which is conducive for the harnessing of hydropower by means of building of dams. Although

important for development, such projects may have severe impacts on the river ecosystem present

in the floodplains including the threatened, grassland obligate species. A careful beforehand study of

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these river basins in terms of ecology and geology needs to be done to identify impacts and the

possibility of mitigation measures that could minimize the negative environmental impact of

hydroelectric plants, hence assuring a sustainable development. One such hydroelectric project

called ‘Lower Demwe HEP’ has been planned near Parshuram Kund region on river Lohit.

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of MoEFCC recommended the environmental clearance

(EC) for lower Demwe HE project which was granted on 12 February 2010 by the MoEFCC, Govt.

of India. EC was challenged before the Hon’ble Principal Bench of NGT, New Delhi, vide Appeal

No.8 of 2011. Hon’ble NGT upheld the environmental clearance granted to the project, vide its

order dated 13 January 2015. Stage-I and Stage-II forest clearances were accorded on 1 March 2012

and 3 May 2013 by the MoEFCC. Stage-I and Stage-II forest clearances were challenged in the

Hon’ble Principal Bench of NGT, New Delhi as Appeal No.92 of 2013. NGT instructed that

Standing Committee of NBWL shall reconsider the issue relating to Demwe Lower HEP Project

and pass appropriate orders within a period of six months till that time both Stage I and Stage II

clearances stands cancelled. In 48th meeting of the Standing Committee of NBWL dated 27 March

2018, site inspection committee members recommended a comprehensive peer-reviewed study on

hydrology and ecology of three seasons by a reputed and neutral scientific / technical organization(s)

before according clearance. Standing Committee of NBWL recommended that the WII, Dehradun

should carry out a rapid ecological study and submit the report to the Ministry in three months.

Consequently, the Standing Committee of NBWL decided to defer the clearance proposal.

Objectives

A WII team conducted a rapid baseline survey in Lohit river basin in likely impacted areas (dam site

near Parshuram kund to Dibru Saikhowa National Park as well as 15 km upstream of dam site)

during 10 to 30 May 2018, with three objectives viz.

1. Assessment of aquatic life with special reference to Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica

gangetica) in the downstream of the dam site.

2. Assessment of chapories (river islands) of the river Lohit for critically endangered bird

Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and other grassland obligate species.

3. Assessment of forest areas for biodiversity and habitat corridors for large carnivores and

herbivores.

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Study Area and Methods

A total of 137 km river stretch was surveyed during 10 May 2018 to 30 May 2018, by WII team.

Since the upstream and downstream areas of the proposed dam have different elevation profile and

water currents, survey area was divided in five zones for conducting surveys.

Table 1. Details of the zones in which the study area is divided (see Map 1) Zone ID Distance

covered (km)

Start Location End Location

Zone 1 15 Near Tidding village (Hayuliang road) Parshuram Kund

Zone 2 7 Parshuram Kund Demwe village

Zone 3 25 Demwe village Alubari bridge

Zone 4 45 Alubari bridge Dhola-Sadiya bridge

Zone 5 45 Dhola-sadiya bridge Lohit Mahasangam

Also the upstream and downstream areas of the proposed dam have different elevation profiles and

river hydromorphology, following approaches were used for conducting surveys:

Zone 1. Tidding village to Parshuram kund (submergence zone). This 15 km stretch

has elevation of 400 m to 300 m with large boulders, steep slopes inaccessible rocky cliffs.

2km distance from the zero-point of the backwater reservoir was covered by walk. While, 5

km distance upstream of the dam site was surveyed by vehicle through an under

construction road on adjoining cliff which runs almost parallel to the river

Zone 2. Parshuram kund to Demwe village. A narrow river channel with large boulders

and sandbanks bordered by deciduous forest patches on both sides. The main channel starts

braiding here creating small chaporis. This zone was surveyed on foot by walking on the sand

banks and through the forests.

Zone 3. Demwe village to Alubari bridge. This region has high rapid water current. The

highly braided channels formed numerous large and small sized chaporis with the large ones

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having moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forest (some of it is a proposed reserved forest).

A country hand-boat was used to cross the rapid channels and move downstream. The

forested and grassland occupied chaporis were surveyed on foot. For eastern water channel,

the survey was done with a four wheel vehicle via road parallel to river bank.

Zone 4. Alubari bridge to Dhola-Sadia bridge. The river channel is more of less single

large with few side channels formed because of chaporis. A single and double engine motor

boat was used to travel through the channel and survey the chaporis.

Zone 5. Dhola-Sadiya bridge to Lohit Mahasangam (Dibru Saikhowa National Park).

A small speed boat provided by Forest Department of Dibru Saikhowa NP was used survey

through the national park stopping at various forest camps and chaporis and conducting

surveys on foot.

Chaporis were surveyed especially for the presence of Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and

other associated grassland species. Mammals were searched for their direct sightings as well as

indirect signs (tracks, pugmarks, calls, scats and dung) and the same was recorded in

Map 1. Study area in Lohit river basin highlighting the survey zones, protected areas and also the proposed HEP sites. (TPRF: Tezu Proposed Reserve Forest, DSNP: Dibru Saikhowa National Park

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photographs/audio recordings and GPS co-ordinates were logged. Local people were interviewed

regarding the occurrence of wildlife found in the surrounding area. Local forest department staff

was also interviewed for the wildlife species use of the area.

For Ganges river dolphin the river stretch from Alubari bridge to Lohit Mahasangam (i.e. Zone 4

and Zone 5) were surveyed on motor boat and surfacing dolphins were counted. A minimum count

and their distribution along the Lohit river basin was mapped. The Bengal Florican lives in tall and

wet grasslands, which are the major habitats on most of the chaporis on river Lohit. Therefore, many

of the possible chaporis were surveyed in morning and evening when floricans are most active, by the

team. Observations were carried out from a vantage point when an individual was detected. GPS

location, distance and angle from the observer were recorded. Other grassland birds and reptiles

were visually identified and confirmed by calls. For indirect signs of mammalian herbivores and

carnivores, scaled photographs of tracks, pugmarks, scats, dungs were taken for record. While

interviewing the local people, the information regarding wildlife provided by them was confirmed by

cross-questioning and photo identification. Mixed photos of concerned species and its relatives were

shown to see if the person can identify the one he is claiming.

After the survey, consultative meetings were held with the project proponents in June 2018. The

consideration of harmonization of e-flows and peaking operations for its minimal impact on the

river ecosystem was discussed in the meetings.

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Zone maps

Map 2. Zone 1: From Tiding village (zero point of reservoir) to Parshuram Kund.

Map 3. Zone 2: From Parshuram Kund to Demwe village

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Map 4. Zone 3: From Demwe village to Alubari bridge

Map 5. Zone 4: From Alubari bridge to Dhola-Sadiya bridge

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Map 6. Zone 5: From Dhola-Sadiya bridge to Lohit mahasangam

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Results

A total of 44 sites (chapories, wooded forest patches and some parts of river bank – for site-wise

details see table number 2) were surveyed and 50 people were interviewed by the team. The

biodiversity recorded from the surveyed region include 9 species of Fishes (annexure VII), 10

species of Reptiles (annexure VIII), 151 species of birds (annexure IX) and 24 species of mammals

(annexure X). Survey team recorded several critically endangered and endangered species (Ganges

River Dolphin, Asiatic Elephant, Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock, Assam Roofed Turtle Pangshura

sylhetensis, Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris, Bengal Florican and White-rumped

Vulture Gyps bengaensis.

From documentation provided and meetings with proponents, it was understood that the proposed

dam at Lower Demwe will hold live storage of 171.20 MCM (516.38MCM storage at Full Reservoir

Level) of water, submerge 11.31km2 of area and generate electricity amounting to 1750MW (EIA

report by CISMHE, July 2009). Once the reservoir is filled, the power generation would result from

inflow equals outflow of the riverine system. However to be more profitable, the proponents

propose to peak daily power production during hours when power is deficient in the grid. This

entails storage of water on a daily basis and its maximum release each day in synchrony with peaking

needs. This release of maximum water would cause floods on a daily basis – a phenomenon to

which the system and its biota have not evolved to adapt to.

The only source population of tigers in this landscape is of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Assam. The

river system of Brahmaputra and Lohit provide natural conduits for movement corridor for most

large mammals including tigers (Map 9) that join the forests of Arunachal Pradesh (Kamlang Tiger

Reserve) with Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Assam. The construction of the Lower DEMWE by itself is

not a barrier to this movement corridor as at that point forest connectivity’s abound for animal

movement into the vast landscape of Arunachal Pradesh. However, care should be taken that

associated linear infrastructure developed for the construction and subsequent maintenance of the

HEP should not disrupt the riverine corridor and follow the green mitigation measures to ensure the

gene-flow essential to maintain viable populations of elephants, tigers and wild buffalo in the

landscape.

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Map 7. Study area highlighting the locations of signs of important species

Map 8. Sighting locations of Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in Zone 4 and 5

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Table 2. Threatened species recorded during the present survey

Sl. No.

Species Name IUCN Status

WPA Schedule

Lat. Long.

1. Bengal florican (Houbaropsis

bengalensis)

CR I 27.788210 27.788494

95.744012 95.767317

2. Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista

gangetica gangetica)

EN I 27.580332 95.252115

3. White-backed vulture (Gyps

bengalensis)

CR I 27.798855 95.571196

4. Black-breasted Parrotbill

(Paradoxornis flavirostris)

VU IV 27.587039 95.397963

5 Asian Elephant (Elephas

maximus)

EN I 27.798855 95.571196

6 . Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura

sylhetensis)

EN I 27.740293 95.294006

7. Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock

hoolock)

EN I 27.861806 96.294127

8. Himalayan Griffon (Gyps

himalayensis)

NT I 27.798855 95.571196

NT: near threatened, VU: vulnerable, EN: endangered, CR: critically endangered

Image 2. Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis): Male sighted in Zone 4.

Image 1. Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis) sighted at DSNP

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Map 9. A potential Tiger corridor (highlighted in green border) through the chaporis of river Lohit

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Conclusions

The hydrological modelling done by WAPCOS is at a very coarse resolution and, with no access to

the data, it is not possible to validate the conclusions arrived in their report. In light of this, it is

difficult to justify that no inundation of chaporis and low line forests are likely to occur during

peaking operations that may be detrimental to aquatic fauna and river biota. Therefore the peaking

magnitude is to be determined and an in-depth study on the hydrological aspects is required to

assess its impacts. It is understood from the current rapid survey that the daily flooding caused by

peaking operations could potentially have the following impacts on aquatic and terrestrial fauna:

1. Possible inundation of grasslands and forested habitats in the Lohit river basin because of

flooding caused due to peaking operations.

2. Possible loss of critical habitats e.g. Small River islands which are important for nesting of

birds.

3. Due to daily flooding, if water currents are too strong, then it would affect the fishes with

respect to their migration, survival of various life stages including eggs, larvae and fries.

Strong currents on daily basis would also affect the movement and survival of endangered

turtle species.

4. Change in the hydro-morphology of river due to daily flooding will also affect movement

and survival of river dolphins and their major food species.

Also the EIA studies done earlier for this project limited themselves to a 10 km radius around the

dam site i.e. only 10 km downstream from dam site and were therefore inadequate in documenting

the biodiversity and the potential impacts of HEP. During the current survey, survey team recorded

several critically endangered and endangered species (listed earlier) as well as wet grassland obligate

species from the Lohit river basin and floodplains, many of which were not included in the previous

assessment reports (e.g. EIA report for Lower Demwe HEP 2009, WAPCOS 2011). Seasonal

natural floods are an important regulatory factor in maintaining this river ecosystem and in turn, the

survival of these species. Any alterations in the flow regime may result in its adverse impact on the

associated biodiversity. Hence appropriate mitigation is required while constructing the Lower

Demwe Hydroelectric Power Plant. Also the threats to chaporis by illegal encroachment and resource

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extraction are detrimental to the rich biodiversity on these islands. The project’s compensatory

payment could be well used to rehabilitate these communities from the chaporis and wean them to

other livelihoods. A detailed study is therefore needed to provide specific sites and options.

During three consultative meetings with the project proponent (M/S Athena Energy Ventures Pvt.

Ltd.), WII team discussed a way ahead. Major impacts were likely to happen in the aquatic realm of

the Lohit river ecosystem, due to the peaking mechanism required for the commercial viability of

the power plant. WII team is currently not in a position to estimate the amount of damage this

circadian flooding of the river would cause. The intensity of the flood and its impact in a region is

directly dependent on a) the topography of the riverscape (river basin and surrounding Landscape)

there, b) the width of the channel and c) the quantum of the water released at any one time.

However, the currently available information on the topography and width of the river channel is

not at the desired resolution, to permit an in-depth assessment of the magnitude of the impact of

the quantum of water released during peaking operations. To generate this required information,

mapping the riverscape using Drone and LIDAR technology in collaboration with IIRS (Indian

Institute of Remote Sensing/ NERIST) is necessary.

Once detailed data on the high-resolution elevation model is available, services of Hydrologists and

GIS experts will be availed to depict various scenarios resulting with different magnitudes of water

released during peaking operations. Simultaneously, a team of aquatic/freshwater biologists will

assess the biota associated with the riverscape and its vulnerability to various intensities of the daily

periodic flooding. The combination of these two studies would help determine the maximum water

that could be released from the dam with minimal impact on the biota and the river island

ecosystem and other necessary mitigation measures to further minimize this impact. This study

would take a minimum of 2 years of time. A proposal of the same along with the budget is enclosed

with the report (Appendix 1). The proponents of the Lower Demwe Hydro Electric Power Plant

have given written undertaking that they shall abide the findings of this study, especially regarding

the maximum amount of water to be released during peaking operations (Annexure XII).

In the light of the history of this dam site, wherein the submergence zone has been studied and an

EIA was approved to give Environmental Clearance (corroborated by Hon’ble NGT), we feel that

the creation/ construction of the dam per se would not be critical in undermining the biodiversity

values of the region. The submergence zone of the dam is a habitat which is available elsewhere

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within the region and is not critical for the conservation of any known threatened, endangered or

critically endangered species’ population. This hydroelectric project is ‘Run of the River (ROR)’ type

where, once the reservoir is filled, the power is generated subsequently from the daily inflow of

water which is released. Hence, the amount of river flow quanta is not likely to be altered once the

dam is filled and power generation is based on an inflow equals outflow regime. The filling of the

reservoir should be done while maintaining the minimal water flow downstream so as to ensure least

impact on riverscape fauna. Therefore, by adhering to the above conditions, water quantum

downstream will not be altered and impacts on the biodiversity would be minimal.

It is also recommended to develop a monitoring mechanism by which the recommendations and

guidelines provided from the study would be adhered to, in the form of remote sensors placed in the

riverbed at strategic locations that would send an alert signal to the Chief Wildlife Warden or any

other competent authority, whenever daily flood levels exceed the maximum flood limits. To ensure

that the associated linear infrastructure developed for the construction and maintenance of the HEP

does not become a barrier to the occasional movement of large mammals like elephants, wild

buffalo and tigers, appropriate mitigation measures in the form of wildlife passages (under and over

passes) would need to be constructed.

As a consequence of the dam, the risk of having large amount of water-mass stored in a seismically

active zone is obvious, and WII is not competent to assess the safeguards to be taken in this regard.

In case of dam collapse or breach due to a seismic activity or any other natural calamity, the impact

on the biodiversity as well as human life downstream would be devastating.

Taking into account that construction of dam and associated infrastructure would require time (3 to

4 years), it would be prudent to consider the construction of the dam at this stage and subsequently

operate it at natural levels of inflow and outflow to generate power. At the same time the

proponents may be strictly restrained from the peaking operations and resulting flooding until the

above-mentioned study provides appropriate guidelines to undertake the peaking operations (if any)

with minimal impact on the associated biota of the river and river-island ecosystem. Accordingly, the

NBWL-SC may consider permitting the construction of dam while controlling the minimum and

maximum flow, which would be recommended after the outcomes of the proposed study become

available (Appendix 1). The cost of the 2 year study amounting to Rs. 1,84,92,000 (Rupees One

Crore Eighty-Four Lakh Ninety-Two Thousand) should be borne by the project proponent. The

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proponent must also give an undertaking to the MoEFCC in writing that they would abide the

recommendations of this study and especially those made in the context of peaking operations. All

mitigation measures recommended in this study would also be implemented within the specified

time period and for which, the proponent would provide the necessary funds.

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References

Chatterjee S., Saikia A., Dutta P., Ghosh D., Worah S., (2006). Review of Biodiversity in

NorthEast India, Draft for Discussion March 2006. Background paper No. 13. WWF India.

Choudhury, A. (1998). Mammals, birds and reptiles of Dibru-Saikhowa sanctuary, Assam,

India. Oryx, 32(3), 192-200.

Choudhury, A. (2006). Birds of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Biosphere Reserve,

Assam, India. Indian Birds, 2(4), 95-105.

EIA report prepared for 1750 MW Lower Demwe HEP, Arunachal pradesh (2009).

Prepared by Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountains and Hill Environment,

University of Delhi, Delhi, September, 2009;

Jha, R. R., Thakuri, J. J., Rahmani, A. R., Dhakal, M., Khongsai, N., Pradhan, N. M.

B., Shinde, N., Chauhan, B.K., Talegaonkar, R.K., Barber, I.P. & Buchanan, G. M.

(2018). Distribution, movements, and survival of the critically endangered Bengal Florican

Houbaropsis bengalensis in India and Nepal. Journal of Ornithology, 1-16.

Kansal, M & Arora, Shilpy. (2012). Biodiversity and present status of freshwater fishes in

Lohit river basin of India. The Environmentalist. 32. 10.1007/s10669-011-9372-3.

Rahmani, A.R. (2011). Report of a member of the team for site inspection of the proposed

DEMWE Lower Hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh Proposal for construction of

1,750 MW Demwe Lower Hydro Electric Project In Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh. Pp.

20.

WAPCOS, (2011). Effect of Peaking Power Generation By Siang Lower HEP, Demwe

Lower HEP And Dibang Multipurpose HEP On Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, November

2011, WAPCOS ltd, Gurgaon, Haryana.

IUCN, (2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-1.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/ Downloaded on 24 August 2018.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/

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Appendix I: Proposal for ‘Geospatial Analysis of Impacts of

Lower Demwe Hydro-Electric Project on the Riverine

Ecosystem of Lohit Basin, Arunachal Pradesh’

Background

River Lohit is one of the three major tributaries of river Brahmaputra. After entering the Indian

Territory at Kibitho area in Arunachal Pradesh, river Lohit meets the floodplains near Prashuram

Kund. In the plains, river basin is characterised by the presence of numerous river islands locally

called as ‘Chaporis’. These chaporis and river banks harbour unique tall, wet grasslands evolved in the

regime of natural annual flood during summers (May to September). Many bird species like Bengal

Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), Black-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis flavirostris), Swamp Prinia

(Laticila cinerascens), Marsh Babbler (Pellorneum palustre) etc. are obligate dwellers of such wet

grasslands. The larger chaporis bearing moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests act as potential

corridors for the movement of large carnivores like Tiger (Panthera tigris) and Leopard (Panthera

pardus) and large herbivores like Elephants (Elephas maximus) and Buffalos (Bubalus arnee). On the

other hand, the aquatic system of Lohit includes endangered Ganges River Dolphin (Planatnista

gangetica gangetica), many species of endangered turtles and fishes. This whole aquatic as well as river

chapori ecosystem has evolved under the annual flood regime.

Due to its very high hydro-electric potential, river Lohit has been in focus for the construction of

hydro-electric power plants, one of them being Lower Demwe HEP. Although beneficial for the

overall development, the environmental concerns call for ‘a sustainable development going hand in

hand with the wildlife conservation’. After several impact assessment studies challenged in Hon’ble

NGT, Standing Committee of NBWL recommended WII to carry out a rapid impact assessment

study.

The Lower Demwe HEP is based upon an inflow equals outflow regime. One of the requirements

for a profitable power generation is daily peaking operations which will result in the circadian

flooding of the river channel downstream. The rapid impact assessment conducted by WII team

revealed the presence of several threatened (vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered)

22 | P a g e

species of mammals, birds, reptiles as well as fishes many of which were not included in the revious

assessment reports. The report by WII also concluded that the seasonal floods are an important

regulatory factor in maintaining the river ecosystem and in turn the survival of these species. Any

alterations in the flow regime (e.g. the daily flooding proposed by Lower Demwe HEP) may result in

its adverse impact on the associated biodiversity. The intensity of the daily flood and its impact in

the river ecosystem at a given location is directly dependent on the topography of riverscape and the

width of channel present at that location as well as the quantum of water released at that instant.

However, due to the unavailability of information on the topography and channel width of the

riverscape at a desired resolution, an in-depth assessment cannot be done to recommend the

mitigation measure regarding the quantum of water to be released. Hence, a study was

recommended to obtain the required information which will aid in modelling the impact of peaking

operations on the River biota.

On the basis of ‘Rapid Ecological Assessment of Impacts of Lower Demwe Hydro-Electric Project

on Wildlife Values’ conducted by WII, a 2 year study of the hydromorphology and the impact of

circadian flooding on the biodiversity in the potential impact zone of Lohit riverscape is required to

give appropriate recommendations regarding the maximum amount of water that can be released

during peaking operations with minimal impact of the biota and river island ecosystems.

Objectives

The study would have the following major objectives:

1. Documentation and understanding of the biota that is likely to be affected by Lower Demwe

HEP, with special emphasis on critically endangered, endangered and threatened species viz.

1)Tiger, 2)Ganges River Dolphin, 3)Asian Elephant, 4)Bengal Florican, 6)Black-breasted

Parrotbill, 7)White-rumped Vulture, 8)Assam Roofed Turtle.

2. Mapping of River hydro-morphology (topography and channel width) and its seasonal

dynamics at finer resolution.

3. Modelling of the impacts of the intensity of flood at different distances from the dam site to

Dibru Saikhowa National Park in the context of peaking operations.

4. Assessing the impact of circadian flooding on different biota and development of a viable

plan that will have minimal impact on the conservation of the biota.

23 | P a g e

Methods

A team of biologists (biodiversity experts) will survey the riverscape both intensively and extensively

to inventories the biodiversity of the region. The team then will assess the dependencies of the

above mentioned threatened species on other forms of life likely to be affected by dam activities

(e.g. River dolphins are dependent of fishes and fish spawning is dependent on the natural water

flow. Because of dam, fluctuation in flow regime may impact fish breeding ground and in turn the

food availability for river dolphins). A team of engineers, GIS experts and hydrologists will map

river basin from zero point of water reservoir up to Dibru Saikhowa National Park using

Drone/LIDAR technologies to obtain 10-15cm digital resolution of the region. This information

will be used by the hydrologists to model the intensity of flooding e.g. force and height of water at

different distances from the dam site to Dibru Saikhowa National Park. The biologists and

hydrologists then will work together to determine impact of the daily fluctuations of flow and its

intensity on the aquatic biota and river island ecosystem.

Outcomes

This study would attempt to bring a balance between development and conservation. It will propose

an operational plan including the appropriate recommendations on the maximum quantum of water

that can be released during peaking operations (if any) with minimal negative impacts on the river

ecosystem. The information obtained on the aquatic biota and river hydromorphology would help in

recommending other required mitigation measures, if needed. There are several dams proposed in

this river basin and it would be useful to conduct a cumulative environmental impact assessment

(CEIA) in this river basin.

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Activity timeline of the study

A tentative timeline of the proposed study is given in Table 4.

Table 3. Timeline of activities of the study Activity 2018-2019 2019-2020

Nov-Jan Feb-Apr

May-Jul

Aug-Oct

Nov-Jan

Feb-Apr May-Jul

Aug-Nov

Recruitment and team composition (including consultants and logistics of surveys and purchases)

Field survey for Mapping hydro-morphology and riverine species study

Study continues through the floods

Modelling and data analysis

Preparation of report

25 | P a g e

Budget of the study

A head-wise budget of the proposed study is given in Table 5.

Table 4. Head-wise Budget of the proposed study Sr.

No. Budget Head

Amount Year 1 (Rs.)

Amount Year 2 (Rs.)

1 Research biologists (JPF-3, SPF-1, PA-1)

22,08,000 22,08,000

2 Field Assistants @ 12,000 PM x 3 4,32,000 4,32,000

3 Vehicle and Boat (rented) 11,80,000 11,80,000

4 Drone & LIDAR 20,00,000 5,00,000

5 Consultant – Hydrologists 3,00,000 3,00,000

6 Faculty time six man months per year

@ 250000 per month 15,00,000 15,00,000

7 GIS and RS work and imagery 2,50,000 2,50,000

8 Travel 6,00,000 5,00,000

9 Base Camp + Furnishing 2,20,000 1,20,000

10 Contingency 2,00,000 2,00,000

* Sub total 88,90,000 71,90,000

11 Institutional Overhead @15% 13,33,500 10,78,500

* Yearly Total 10,223,500 8,268,500

Total Cost =

Rs. 1,84,92,000

Rupees One Crore Eighty-Four Lakh Ninety-Two Thousand

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Annexures

Annexure I) Details of the sites visited

Table 5. Details of the sites visited during the present survey

Sr.

No.

Site and date

visited

State

AS/AP

Dominant

Habitat GPS coordinates

Important Species

seen/heard/signs.

(refer Annexure VIII,

IX, X for scientific

names)

1. Maguri beel -

10 May 2018 AS Wet grassland

27°34'26.85"N,

95°22'26.51"E

Yellow-bellied Prinia,

Jerdon’s Babbler,

Chestnut-caped babbler,

Striated babbler, Water

cock, Black bittern, Wild

Buffalo

2.

Jia Village, Near

Roing - 11 May

2018

AP Wet grassland 28° 3'58.50"N,

95°42'45.19"E

Black-breasted Parrotbill,

Marsh babbler, Swamp

Prinia

3. Tezu Nala - 12

May 2018 AP Wet grassland

27°54'35.03"N,

96° 9'56.75"E

4. Hawa camp - 13

May 2018 AP

Semi-evergreen

forest

27°54'59.07"N,

96°19'53.65"E

5.

Dam site,

Parshuram Kund

-

13 May 2018

AP River bed

(boulders),

27°52'46.89"N,

96°22'18.98"E

6. Chapori 1 -

14 May 2018 AP

Grassland and

Dalbergia sissoo

plantation

27°53'11.87"N,

96°20'25.28"E

Hoolock Gibbon (Call),

Large tree frog, Draco

flying lizard

27 | P a g e

7.

Upstream of

Dam site till

Tiding -

15 May 2018

AP River bed

(boulder)

27°58'22.89"N,

96°23'47.19"E Brown Dipper

8.

Proposed Udayak

Pass-

16 May 2018

AP Semi-evergreen

forest

27°53'59.93"N,

96°23'5.62"E

9.

Tezu nala to

Panbari -

17 May 2018

AP Deciduous forest

and wet grassland

27°54'52.52"N,

96°11'9.59"E

Otter tracks (species

unidentified)

10. Chapori 3 - 17


27°54'39.08"N,

96°11'18.75"E

11. Chapori 4 -

17 May 2018 AP Wet grassland

27°54'27.82"N,

96°12'17.98"E Otter tracks

12. Chapori 5 - 17


27°54'35.33"N,

96°12'36.18"E Golden Jackal den

13. Forest 1 -

17 May 2018 AP

Deciduous forest

(degraded)

27°54'46.64"N,

96°14'16.82"E

Greter Necklaced

Laughingthrush

14. Tezu Forest-

18 May 2018 AP Deciduous forest

27°54'13.94"N,

96°11'56.61"E Yellow-throated Marten

15. Chidiya Khana -

19 May 2018 AP

Deciduous & semi-

evergreen forest

27°52'44.64"N,

96°12'22.46"E Spotted litter skink

16. Chapori 6 -


27°53'50.22"N,

96° 8'38.95"E Streaked Weaver (3 nests)

17. Chapori 7 -


27°53'48.85"N,

96° 8'14.48"E

Streaked Weaver,

Droppings of Hare

18. Chapori 8 -


27°53'10.31"N,

96° 7'24.02"E Hoofmarks of hog deer

19. Chapori 9 -


27°52'35.96"N,

96° 6'2.14"E

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20. Chapori 10 -


27°52'17.83"N,

96° 4'14.86"E

21. Chapori 11 -


27°52'10.03"N,

96° 4'24.16"E Hoof-marks of hog deer

22. Chapori 12 -


27°51'42.37"N,

96° 3'20.44"E

23.

Lailiang & Shivaji

Nagar

22 May 2018

AP

Deciduous & semi-

evergreen forest,

human habitation

27°59'14.12"N,

96°10'49.90"E

24. Chapori 13 -

23 May 2018 AP

Wet grassland

(grazed)

27°49'36.14"N,

95°58'24.97"E

25. Chapori 14 -

23 May 2018 AP

Shrubbery

dominated by

Lantana camara

27°49'33.06"N,

95°57'51.41"E

26. Chapori 15 -

23 May 2018 AP

Wet grassland-

deciduous forest

mosaic

27°49'33.06"N,

95°57'51.41"E

27. Chapori 16 -


27°49'36.10"N,

95°57'29.59"E

28. Chapori 17 -

23 May 2018 AP

Deciduous forest

(degraded)

27°49'8.95"N,

95°56'29.47"E Feral buffalos

29. Chapori 18 -

23 May 2018 AP

Wet grassland-

deciduous forest

mosaic

27°49'27.71"N,

95°56'50.47"E

Amur Falcon, Plain

Martin,

30. Chapori 19 -


27°47'51.34"N,

95°55'14.03"E Graceful Prinia

31. Night camp -

24 May 2018 AP

Wet grassland &

dry river bed

27°47'59.71"N,

95°48'8.31"E

32.

Bhim Chapori 18

-

24 May 2018

AP Wet grassland &

deciduous forest

27°47'25.79"N,

95°45'46.97"E

White-backed Vulture,

Himalayan Griffon

29 | P a g e

33. Chapori 20 -


27°47'18.86"N,

95°44'29.76"E

Bengal Florican claimed

to be seen by local people

34. Chapori 21 -


27°47'40.95"N,

95°51'22.85"E

Bengal Florican (single

male- direct sighting)

35. Chapori 22 -


27°47'57.75"N,

95°48'54.62"E

Bengal Florican (3 males-

direct sighting)

36. Grassland 4 -

25 May 2018 AP

Wet grassland &

Tamarix scrub

27°48'40.21"N,

95°35'28.58"E

37. Chapori 23 -

25 May 2018 AS

Wet grassland &

Tamarix scrub

27°48'1.57"N,

95°34'24.83"E

Bristled Grassbird,

Himalayan Vulture

38. Chapori 24 -

25 May 2018 AS

Wet grassland &

Tamarix scrub

27°48'55.41"N,

95°37'27.96"E

Elephant Tracks, Wild

Buffalo

39. Chapori 25 -

25 May 2018 AS Wet grassland

27°46'24.20"N,

95°32'57.90"E White-tailed Stonechat

40. Colomi camp -

29 May 2018 AS

Semi-evergreen

forest

27°37'26.40"N,

95°19'18.53"E

River dolphin at the

confluence of river Lohit

and Colmi Nullah

41.

Lika Pimau

Village –

29 May 2018

AS Village & grazeland 27°40'13.17"N,

95°19'3.18"E

42. Chapori 26 -

29 May 2018 AS

Wet grassland and

marshes

27°41'57.83"N,

95°22'8.54"E Assam Roofed Turtle

43. Mailee Camp -

29 May 2018 AS

Wet grassland and

marshes

27°43'55.52"N,

95°24'0.11"E Feral horses

44. Paglam –

30 May 2018 AS

Wet grassland &

degraded forest

27°49'5.42"N,

95°29'38.12"E

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Annexure II) Glossary and Abbreviations

Glossary

1. Chapori or Char - river island

2. Khuti – Cattle camps on river islands or river banks

3. Project site/Dam site – Lower Demwe HEP

4. Dav – a weapon (big knife with wooden fist) used by ribal people in Assam and Arunachal

for self-protection), a type of local machete.

5. Gakhir – milk

6. Guro – cattle

7. Bari – Bagan or garden (Alubari = Potato garden; Pan Bari = Pan garden)

8. Cumecs water – Cubic meters per second

9. Kunda – Timber wood

Abbreviations

1. WII – Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

2. DSNP – Dibru Saikhowa National Park

3. BRO – Border Roads Organisation

4. DPR – Detailed Project Report

5. PA – Protected area

6. RF – Reserve Forest

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Annexure III) About Lower Demwe HE Project

DPR highlights (Source – Documents received from project proponent)

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) submitted a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of

Demwe HE Project to CEA in February 2004. However before the preparation of PFR by NHPC,

The Brahmaputra Board and NEEPCO carried out impact assessments for the development of

hydropower projects in Lohit basin. A brief history of these investigations is as below:

A) Investigations carried out by Brahmputra Board (Lohit Dam Project)

The Brahmaputra Board initially proposed two alternatives for the construction of a high dam

across the river Lohit for flood moderation and generation of 3000 MW hydro power. The first

proposal envisages a 250 m high concrete dam across river Lohit at Mompani, where the Lohit river

passes through a narrow gorge (Latitude 280-03’, Longitude 960-27’ Elevation 433 MSL). The

second alternative proposal was to construct a 269.2 m high rockfill dam located at Hayuliang

(Latitude 280-04’-30”, Longitude 960-31’-00”, Elevation 500 MSL).

Although detailed explorations were carried out to establish the feasibility for the construction of

earth/ rock fill dam at Hayuliang, based on drill hole data it was concluded that about 80 m thick

loose sediments (overburden) are present in the river bed section. Highly porous and sandy nature

of these materials may pose serious problems of leakage and settlements of the dam body due to

liquefaction of sand layers. In order to avoid the excessive overburden at Hayuliang dam site and

submergence of some developed area, the other alternative of constructing a concrete dam at

Mompani was thought off. A proposal for Rockfill dam with chute spillway in place of concrete dam

was also considered. With this proposal, two tunnels, each of 1.3 km length on right bank and an

underground power house was proposed for generation of 3000 MW and geological investigations

were carried out.

Subsequently, Brahamputra Board carried out extensive survey and investigations at Mompani for a

Concrete Dam with its FRL at EL 570 m in order to reduce submergence area. The Mompani dam

site of Brahamputra Board is now located within the allotted reach between EL +579 m and EL

+300 m and is being developed by ADPPL as Demwe Upper HE Project, DPR of which is being

separately prepared and would be submitted to CEA shortly.

32 | P a g e

B) Investigations carried out by NEEPCO (Demwe H E Project):

NEEPCO initially proposed a 65 m high concrete dam across the river Lohit (EL 361m) at Tidding

and a surface power house near Timaighat to generate 1000 MW (4 x 250 MW). Subsequently,

detailed exploration was carried out to establish the feasibility for the construction of concrete dam.

But based on the drill hole data that presented about 40-50 m thick overburden, occurrence of fault

at dam site and active seismicity in that region etc., the project authority decided to change the

diversion dam into 34 m high barrage at the same location.

Based on barrage, NEEPCO has prepared a DPR of Demwe HE project (8 x 65 MW = 520 MW) in

February 1992. This DPR was examined at CEA/CWC and due to some serious technical

observations, the same was returned to NEEPCO. Most of the regions of the country are suffering

from power shortages leading to irregular and unreliable supply. The problem becomes acute during

peak hours. Based on the projections made in the 16th Electric Power Survey, an additional

generating capacity of over 100,000 MW needs to be added to ensure “Power on Demand” by 2012.

C) Lower Demwe HEP

It is a 1750 MW run-of-the river project on Lohit River in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh (at

latitude 27° 52’ 48’’ N and longitude 96° 22’ 39” E). The project site is located near Parashsuram

Kund, a historically significant pilgrimage site. The project aims to build a concrete gravity dam of

163.12m height above the deepest foundation level (124m height above the riverbed level) with full

reservoir level at an elevation of 424.8 m. The project is a joint venture between the Government of

Arunachal Pradesh and M/S Athena Energy Ventures Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi to develop Demwe HE

Project in one or more schemes in the allotted stretch between elevation EL ±300m and ±589m.

The stake of Arunachal Pradesh government in the project is 26% (Source -

http://www.athenaenergy.in/demwe.html).

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Annexure IV) Chronology of Events pertaining to clearance

This section has been sourced from the site inspection committee report 2018 (Report of the

National Board of Wildlife Standing Committee on Proposed Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project,

March 2018).

1. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for river valley and hydroelectric projects held

meetings on 22.10.2009, 16.11.2009 and 16.12.2009 and finally the environmental clearance

was granted on 12.2.2010 by the MoEF, Government of India.

2. The environmental clearance granted on 12.2.2010 was challenged before the Hon’ble

Principal Bench of NGT, New Delhi, vide Appeal No.8 of 2011.

3. The Hon’ble NGT upheld the environmental clearance granted to the project, vide its order

dated 13 January 2015.

4. The stage-I forest clearance was accorded on 1 March 2012 by the MoEF.

5. The MoEF granted the stage-II forest clearance on 3 May 2013.

6. The Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Arunachal Pradesh vide its

Letter No.FOR.199/CONS/2007/Vol-I/3134-40, Itanagar, Dated 26-07-2013 accorded

Forest Clearance for diversion of 1415.92 ha of forestland for construction of Demwe

Lower Hydroelectric Project in favor of M/s Athena Demwe Power Limited, in Lohit

district of Arunachal Pradesh.

7. The stage-I and stage-II forest clearances dated 1.3.2012 and 3.5.2013, respectively were

challenged in the Hon’ble Principal Bench of NGT, New Delhi as Appeal No.92 of 2013.

8. The appellant sought to challenge the stage I and stage II Forest Clearance and the

consequential order dated 26-07-2013 passed by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

This Appeal was subsequently transferred to the Southern Zone Bench of the Hon’ble NGT

and renumbered as Appeal No.30 of 2015.

9. The judgment delivered on 24th October, 2017 by the Hon’ble NGT (SZ) in the above

appeal held that the decision taken by the Standing Committee of NBWL dated 13.12.2011,

vide Official Memorandum of MoEF dated 11.2.2012 is not in consonance with the

established principles of law and hence the Standing Committee of NBWL shall reconsider

34 | P a g e

the issue relating to Demwe LE Project and pass appropriate orders within a period of six

months from the date of judgment. It further directed that until such orders are passed, the

impugned forest clearance stage-I dated 1.3.2012 and stage-II dated 3.5.2013 issued by

MoEF and the consequential order of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh dated

26.7.2013 relating to the diversion of 1415.92 ha of forestland for the construction of the

project stand suspended.

10. Subsequent to this, the Standing Committee of the NBWL considered the issues in its 46th

and 47th meetings and appointed a committee for site inspection and submission of detailed

report to the Ministry; vide letter no. 6-79/2013 WL (Part), dated 8.2.2018 of the

MoEF&CC.

11. The committee members visited the project site during 25-28 February 2018, looked into

various aspects of the project vis-à-vis the likely impact of the project on Kamlang Wildlife

Sanctuary and wildlife species, and associated habitats and made assessment on the issues

raised by the Hon’ble NGT in its order dated 27.10.2017.

12. During 48th meeting dated 27th March 2018, the Standing Committee of NBWL members

mentioned that impact study of the project has not been carried by the User Agency and the

State Government and therefore, a comprehensive peer-reviewed study on hydrology and

ecology of three seasons by a reputed and neutral scientific / technical organization(s) before

according clearance. After discussions the Standing Committee decided that the WII,

Dehradun to carry out hydrology / ecology study and submit the report to the Ministry in

three months. Consequently the Standing Committee decided to defer the proposal.

35 | P a g e

Annexure V) Literature review

In tropical and subtropical regions many riverine species have very limited geographical

distributions, and a large proportion of the flora and fauna are unique to individual river systems.

For instance, 50 per cent of the fish fauna in the Olifants River in Southern Africa and the Jordan

River is endemic, as well as 42 per cent of the fish species in the Red River (Yuan Jiang) that runs

through China and Vietnam. Mekong and Yangtze (Chiang Jiang) have endemic species of closely

related gastropods (over 100 species per river). Water flow patterns in the Mekong are changing

because of on-going rapid hydropower development triggered by economic growth (Piman, et al.

2016).

The North-east India has been identified as India’s ‘future powerhouse’ and at least 168 large

hydroelectric projects with a total installed capacity of 63,328 MW (Central Electricity Authority

2001) are proposed for the region. States such as Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are at the forefront

in the initiative to sign multiple memoranda of understanding/agreement (MoU/MoA) with power

developers. Till October 2010, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh had allotted 132 projects to

companies in the private and public sectors for a total installed capacity of 40,140.5 MW. The large

dams’ juggernaut clearly seems to be the biggest ‘development’ intervention in this ecologically and

geologically fragile landscape. Currently 10 large projects are already operational in the region, 11 are

under construction, and a substantially larger number are in the process of getting various

clearances. Northeast India is also known for its biological and cultural diversity. It is one of the

three global biodiversity hotspots that are known from India (www.biodiversityhotspots.org). This

region is home to important populations of wildlife species, such as the rhino, elephant, tiger, wild

buffalo, pygmy hog, and the Ganges river dolphin. Although encompassing only 8 percent of the

country’s geographical area, it houses 21 percent of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) identified by

the Birdlife International and the Bombay Natural History Society.

The concern is what impacts these dams will have on the biodiversity in tropical and subtropical

rivers. Investors in hydropower projects may have implemented some measures to prevent and

mitigate direct impacts on biodiversity of the surrounding areas. However, there are two major

impacts that are generally not mitigated properly viz. Flooding of river channel downstream for

http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/

36 | P a g e

power generation (peaking operation), blocking and alteration of the flow due to the dams and the

loss of forest due to submergence in the reservoir.

Lohit River has drawn the attention of the hydropower developers due to its high hydropower

potential. The HEPs are planned in mountain gorges upstream and will create large reservoirs. The

alteration of stream flow can affect migratory fishes which need to move upstream in the hills to

breed and spawn (Kansal et al. 2012).

Lohit river and its chapories have been designated as Priority-3 grassland site in Arunachal pradesh

while Dibrusaikhowa has been designated as Priority-1 grassland site in Assam by WWF India as a

part of their Biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project (1997-2000) (Chatterjee et al., 2006) for

conservation which is based on their biological as well as socioeconomic values. Under the same

project flood plain of Dibru river (the continuation of Lohit in Assam especially the main channel

that flows through Dibru Saikhowa National Park) has been designated as Priority wetland.

For the avi-fauna of the Lohit river, not many focused studies have been done although personal

records and observations from different parts of Lohit have been published by Allen (2002)-107

species, Choudhury (2006)-440 species and Gode (2013)-133 species covering Amarpur area of

Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere reserve, Dibru Saikhowa National Park and Lohit Valley in Arunachal

Pradesh further north respectively. The species number includes historical records. Besides this

Chaudhuri in 1998 did a wholistic survey of major faunal diversity of then Dibru Saikhowa

Sanctuary where he reorted 313 species of birds and highlighted unusual presence of Sarus Crane

and White-bellied Heron also suggesting the region crucial for migratory waterfowls. Choudhury

(1998) also reported 35 species of identified mammals excluding bats and small rodents. The

mammal list highlights presence of Asiatic Elephants, Wild Buffalos, Sambar, Hog Deer, Barking

Deer along with predators like Tiger, Leopard and Clouded Leopard (only once). The arboreal fauna

included Malayan Giant squirrel, Pallas’s Squirrel, Irrawaddy Squirrel and primates Hoolock

Gibbons and Rhesus Macaques. The Chapories around DSNP also has been known to inhabit

unique Feral Horse which is a tourist attraction. The same study also reported Narrow-headed

Softshell Turtle, Gangetic Softshell Turtle, Malayan Box Turtle, Brown Roofed Turtle and Assam

Roofed Turtle. The same study in 1998 only suggests the ossible extinction of Gharials from the

region claiming them to be extremely rare.

37 | P a g e

The southern bank forest of the Lohit river downstream of Parshuram Kund till Tezu has been

notified as a distribution range of Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock leuconedys in India

according to Das et al., (2006).

EIAs of hydropower projects usually include an assessment of the effects of the projects on wildlife

in the surrounding areas. They usually conclude that dams have minor effects after the mitigation

measures are implemented, so that the hydropower projects can go ahead with construction. (Trong

Tu et al. 2013).

References (for Annexure II, III and IV)

Allen, D., (2002). A bird survey of the Amarpur area of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere

Reserve, Assam, India. Forktail, 87-92.

Chatterjee S., Saikia A., Dutta P., Ghosh D., Worah S., (2006). Review of Biodiversity in

NorthEast India, Draft for Discussion March 2006. Background paper No. 13. WWF India.

Choudhury, A. (1998). Mammals, birds and reptiles of Dibru-Saikhowa sanctuary, Assam,

India. Oryx, 32(3), 192-200.

Choudhury, A. (2006). Birds of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Biosphere Reserve,

Assam, India. Indian Birds, 2(4), 95-105.

Das, J., Biswas, J., Bhattacharjee, P. C., & Mohnot, S. M. (2006). First distribution

records of the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock leuconedys) from India. Zoos’ Print

Journal, 21(7), 2316-2320.

EIA report for Lower Demwe HEP (2009). Prepared by Centre for Interdisciplinary

Studies of Mountains and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, September, 2009;

Gode, N. (2013). Birding in Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Indian BIRDS 8 (5): 126-127.

Kansal, M and Arora, S. (2012). Biodiversity and present status of freshwater fishes in

Lohit river basin of India. The Environmentalist. 32. 10.1007/s10669-011-9372-3.

Piman, T., Cochrane, T. and Mauricio, A. (2016). Effect of Proposed Large Dams on

Water Flows and Hydropower Production in the Sekong, Sesan and Srepok Rivers of the

Mekong Basin: Impact of Large Dams in Tributaries of the Mekong. River Research and

Applications 32. 10.1002/rra.3045.

38 | P a g e

Rahmani, A.R. (2011). Report of a member of the team for site inspection of the proposed

DEMWE Lower Hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh Proposal for construction of

1,750 MW Demwe Lower Hydro Electric Project In Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh. Pp.

20.

Kamboj, R.D., Bankhwal, D.P., & Gopi, G.V., (2018). Site inspection report for Lower

Demwe HEP. Report of the National Board of Wildlife Standing Committee on Proposed

Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project, March 2018.

Trong Tu, Dao & Le, Tuan & Kim Thai, Le & Dinh Sinh, Tran & Thi Thu Suu, Lam

& Thi Khanh, Nguy. (2013). Analysis of Environmental and Social Costs and Risks of

Hydropower Dams, with a Case Study of Song Ttanh 2 Hydropower Plant.

WAPCOS (2011). Effect of Peaking Power Generation By Siang Lower HEP, Demwe

Lower HEP And Dibang Multipurpose HEP On Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. Pp. 68.

WAPCOS (2016). Carrying Capacity and Cumulative Impact Assessment Studies for HEP

on the Tributaries of Lohit River Basin in Arunachal Pradesh, by WAPCOS ltd. August,

2016.

World Commission on Dams (2000). Dams and Development – A new framework for

decision making. The Report of the World Commission on Dams. Earthscan, London.

39 | P a g e

Annexure VI) Field Photographs

Image 3. Location of dam site and surrounding habitat

Image 4. Dam site and surrounding habitat: ground view

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Image 5. Surveying the chaporis by crossing streams on foot in zone 1 and 2.

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Image 6. Surveying on country made hand boat in Zone 3

Image 7. Surveying on country made motor boat in Zone 4

Image 8. Surveying on cruise type motor boat in zone 5

Image 9. Surveying on speed boat in DSNP

42 | P a g e

Image 10. Top) River Lohit at Tiding, Middle) Plumbeous Water redstart, Bottom) Brown Dipper

43 | P a g e

Image 11 From Zone 2: Top) Grasslands and Trees of Dalbergia sissoo on the chaporis, Bottom right) Large Tree Frog; Bottom left) Flying lizard Draco maculatus

44 | P a g e

Image 12. Cattle grazing on the chaporis of Zone 2

Image 13. Local sand and boulder mining from dry River bed from Zone 3.

45 | P a g e

Image 14. Upstream migration of stream fishes for spawning in river Lohit (Zone 3)

Image 15. Use of gill nets to catch stream fishes of river Lohit in Zone 3

46 | P a g e

1 2

3 4

5 6

Image 16. Fishes of Lohit: 1) Barilius sp., 2)Cabdio morar, 3) Devario aequipinnatus, 4) Garra sp. 5) Neolissochylus hexgonolepis, 6) Xenentodon cancila

47 | P a g e

Image 17. Nest of Streaked Weaver bird found on a chapori from Zone 3

Image 18. The chaporis of Zone 3 representing the mosaic of wet grasslands and semi evergreen forest

48 | P a g e

Image 19. Spotted Litter Skink found on the forest floor in Zone 3

Image 20. Tribal people encountered during the survey in proposed Tezu reserve forest

49 | P a g e

Image 21 Top) Wet grasslands in Maguri beel (Zone 5), Bottom: left)Striated Babbler, right) Nal grass

50 | P a g e

Image 22. Cutting of Bombax ceiba trees from the bank of river Lohit in Zone 4

Image 23 Top) Paddyfield Pipit a commonly found on the chaporis of lohit, Bottom: left) Rat snake crossing the river channel, right) Amur falcon (flock of 40 was seen) from Zone 4

51 | P a g e

Image 24. Top) Bengal Florican single male flushed from a chapori, Bottom) Bengal Florican three individuals fludhed subsequently from the same chapori from Zone 4

52 | P a g e

Image 25. Left) Elephant tracks found in chaporis in Zone 5. Right) Wild Buffalos sighted in DSNP

Image 26. A river channel cutting through the semi evergreen forest in DSNP

53 | P a g e

Annexure VII) List of people interacted

Table 6. List of people interviewed during the survey

Sr.

No.

Name Place Occupation Contact number

1. Jeevan Maguri beel Eco-tourism (Kahua eco camp,

Nathun gaon)

8638700342

2. G.B. Pullu Roing Mishmi Hill Nature camp 9862856981

3. Dr. Mark Bertein Jia village, Roing Commander in Indian Navy 7032053708

4. Mr. Deepak Sharma Parshuram Kund HR Manager, Athena HEP

project

5. Janal Medi Tidding Daily Wages labour

6. Krishna Hodar Upstream of

Parshuram kund

Standard 3 school student

7. Shankar Nayak Upstream of

Parshuram kund

Standard 6 school student

8. Zhua Urag Upstream of

Parshuram kund

Elder person of family

9. Radha Nayak Upstream of

Parshuram kund

Gavbudha, labour contractor

10. Param Chetri Tezu river bank Shepherd/cattle grazer

11. Tuleshwar Das Panbari Casual contract staff of FD

12. Khirod Bora Panbari Manzi

13. Rajani Das Panbari Manzi

54 | P a g e

14. Cola Bilai Tezu forest area Mishmi tribal

15. Shri D.S. Manyu Tezu DFO, Tezu

16. Jogin Tamai (belongs

to Digaroo Mishmi

tribe)

Tezu Political Translator,

Administration, Tezu

8974566966

17. Tally Kamsi Tezu Nature lover

18. Bakekho Tamai

(belongs to Digaroo

Mishmi tribe)

Tezu Elder person interacted for

getting traditional knowledge

8413925453

19. Ghankanta Sunwal Bhim Chapori Khuti owner

20. Sanjib Chetri Bhim Chapori Khuti owner

21. Padma Chetri Bhim Chapori Khuti owner

22. Gopal Munda Chapro near

Jamukbari

Khuti owner 7086576673

23. Surja Bahadur Chapro near

Amarpur

Khuti owner 8472812001

24. Indra Bahadur

Kanwar

Chapro near

Amarpur

Khuti owner

25. Shri Mridulkumar

Dhar

Dibru Saikhowa DFO, Tinsukia

26. Sarbasis Dutta Dibru Saikhowa Researcher, SACON 9038197596

27. Mohandeep Gogoi Dibru Saikhowa Forest Guard, Dibru Saikhowa

NP

28. Prafulla Sethia Dibru Saikhowa Villager, Erasuti Gao, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

55 | P a g e

29. Shital Yadav Dibru Saikhowa Villager, Erasuti Gao, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

30. Lalbihari Sahni Dibru Saikhowa Boat Pilot, Dibru Saikhowa NP

31. Rajkumar Das Dibru Saikhowa Villager, Erasuti Gao, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

32. Mrs. Aarti Saha Dibru Saikhowa Teacher, Government Primary

School, Erasuti Gao, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

33. Rambadan Yadav Dibru Saikhowa Villager, Erasuti Gao, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

34. Chandrakant Das Dibru Saikhowa Representative of Aqua

Weaves CSR project

35. Jyonil Abedin Dibru Saikhowa Owner of Banashree eco-

cottages

36. Kanak Deori Dibru Saikhowa Forester, Colomi Camp, Dibru

Saikhowa NP

8638009698

37. Sadin Sunwal Dibru Saikhowa Forest Guard, Colomi Camp,

Dibru Saikhowa NP

38. Anant Tarak Dibru Saikhowa Villager, Lika gao 9101453953

39. Tetera Tate Dibru Saikhowa Khuti Caretaker, Lika gao

40. Mintu Doley Dibru Saikhowa Beat In-charge, IV guest

Camp, Dibru Saikhowa NP

41. Utpal Gogoi Dibru Saikhowa Forest staff, IV guest Camp,

Dibru Saikhowa NP

42. Bitupon Bora Dibru Saikhowa Forest staff, IV guest Camp,

Dibru Saikhowa NP

56 | P a g e

43. Basanta Dahotia Dibru Saikhowa Forest staff, IV guest Camp,

Dibru Saikhowa NP

44. Riki Pego Dibru Saikhowa Khuti owner

45. Mari Regon Paglam Khuti owner

46. Sanjay Das Dibru Saikhowa Tourist Operator and local

politician

47. Shri Suryakumar

Prakash

Delhi Representative, Athena HEP

project

48. Subhash Debnath Tezu Caretaker, Circuit House, Tezu

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Annexure VIII) List of fishes

Table 7. List of fish species recorded during the survey

Sr. No. Species Scientific

name

Species Common/

Vernacular Name IUCN status Zone

1 Barilius sp. Baril

1

2 Salmophasia sp. Minnow

1

3 Cabdio morar Morari LC 3

4 Chagunius chagunio Puti LC 3

5 Devario aequipinnatus Chebli LC 3

6 Garra sp. Garra

3

7 Glyptothorax sp. Cat Fish

3

8 Neolissochilus hexagonolepis Pakiranga/Katli/Boka NT 3

9 Pterocryptis sp. CatFish

3

10 Xenentodon cancila Needle Fish/Kokila LC 3

11 Puntius sophore Spot-fin Swamp Barb/Puti LC 3

12

Tor sp. Mahaseer

Many species are

threatened 3

58 | P a g e

Annexure IX) List of herpetofauna

Table 8. List of reptile and amphibian species recorded during the survey

Sr.

No. Species Scientific name IUCN status Zone

Assam roofed turtle Pangshura sylhetensis Endangered 5

Bengal monitor

lizard Varanus bengalensis Least Concern 5

Asian water monitor Varanus salvator Least Concern 3

Oriental garden

lizard Calotes versicolor

2,3

Spotted litter Skink Sphenomorphus maculatus Least Concern 3

Monocled cobra Naja kaouthia Least Concern 3

Indian rat snake Ptyas mucosa

4

Giant tree frog Rhacophorus maximus Least Concern 2

skittering frog Euphlyctis sp. Least Concern 4

59 | P a g e

Annexure X) List of birds

Table 9. List of bird species recorded during the survey

Sr

No.

Species: Common

Name

Species: Scientific

Name

IUCN

Status

WPA

schedule Habitat Zone

Family:

Podicipedidae

1 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis LC IV Wetland Pool 4

Family:

Pelecanidae

2 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis NT IV River bank 2,3

Family:

Anhingidae

3 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster NT IV River Bank 2,3

Family: Ardeidae

4 Little Egret Egretta garzetta LC IV River Bank 2,3,4

5 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea LC IV River Bank 2,3,4

6 Great Egret Egretta alba LC IV River Bank 3,4

7 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia LC IV River bank 3,4

8 Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus LC IV River banks

and islands 2,3,4

9 Indian Pond-heron Ardeola grayii LC IV Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

10 Striated Heron Butorides striata LC IV River bank 2,3,4

11 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis LC IV Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

12 Chestnut Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus LC IV Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

13 Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis LC IV Ponds and

river banks 4

60 | P a g e

Family: Ciconiidae

14 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

15 Black Stork Ciconia nigra LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2

16 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus VU IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3,4

Family: Anatidae

17 Lesser Whistling-

duck Dendrocygna javanica LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

18

Cotton Teal

Nettapus coromandelianus LC IV Ponds and

river banks 4

19 Indian Spot-billed

Duck Anas poecilorhyncha LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

20 Chinese Spot-billed

Duck Anas zonorhyncha LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 4

Family:

Accipitridae

21 Oriental Honey-

buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus LC I Forest 1,2,3,4

22 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3,4

61 | P a g e

Family:

Accipitridae

23 White-rumped

Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

24 Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis NT I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

25 Crested Serpent-

eagle Spilornis cheela LC I Forest 1,2,4

26 Shikra Accipiter badius LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

1,2,3,4

27 Eurasian

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3

Family:

Pandionidae

28 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

Family: Falconidae

29 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2

30 Amur Falcon Falco amurensis LC I

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3

31 Oriental Hobby Falco severus LC I Forest 1

62 | P a g e

Family:

Megapodiidae

32 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

Family: Otididae

33 Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis CR IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3

Family: Jacanidae

34 Bronze-winged

Jacana Metopidius indicus LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 4

Family:

Charadriidae

35 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius LC IV Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

36 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii NT IV River side

forest 4

37 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

Family: Glareolidae

38 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea LC IV Sandy river

banks 2,3,4

Family: Laridae

39 Common Tern Sterna hirundo LC IV Sandy river

banks 3,4

40 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida LC IV Sandy river

banks 3,4

63 | P a g e

Family:

Columbidae

41 Rock Pigeon Columba livia LC IV Forest 2,3,4

42 Pale-capped

Woodpigeon Columba punicea VU IV Forest 1,2

43 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis LC IV Near

settlement 2,3

44 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis LC IV Near

settlement 2,3,4

45 Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica LC IV Forest 2,3,4

46 Orange-breasted

Green-pigeon Treron bicinctus LC IV Forest 4

47 Yellow-footed

Green-pigeon Treron phoenicopterus LC IV Forest 4

Family: Psittacidae

48 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri LC IV Forest 4

Family: Cuculidae

49 Large Hawk-cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides LC IV Forest 1,2

50 Common Hawk-

cuckoo Hierococcyx varius LC IV

Scrubland on

river bank 2,3,4

51 Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

52 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus LC IV Forest 1

53 Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus LC IV Forest 2,3

54 Drongo-cuckoo Surniculus lugubris LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

55 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus LC IV Forest 2,3,4

56 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis LC IV Forest 3,4

57 Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3

64 | P a g e

Family: Tytonidae

58 Common Barn-owl Tyto alba LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

4

59 Brown Hawk-owl Ninox scutulata LC IV Forest 2,3,4

Family: Strigidae

60 Spotted Owlet Athene brama LC IV Forest 2,3,4

Family: Apodidae

61 Needletail Hirundapus sp. LC

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2

Family:

Alcedinidae

62 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis LC IV Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

63 White-throated

Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

64 Lesser Pied

Kingfisher Ceryle rudis LC IV

Ponds and

river banks 2,3,4

Family: Meropidae

65 Little Green Bee-

eater Merops orientalis LC

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

66 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus LC

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3

65 | P a g e

Family: Coraciidae

67 ‘Black-billed’ Roller Coracias benghalensis

affinis LC IV

River side

forest 2,3,4

Family: Upupidae

68 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops LC River side

forest 2,3

Family:

Capitonidae

69 Great Barbet Megalaima virens LC IV Forest 1

70 Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

71 Golden-throated

Barbet Megalaima franklinii LC IV Forest 1

72 Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

Family: Picidae

73 Grey-capped Pygmy

Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus LC IV Forest 2

74 Fulvous-breasted

Pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei LC IV Forest 2

75 Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus LC IV Forest 2

76 Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus LC IV Forest 1

77 Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha LC IV Forest 2

78 Black-rumped

Flameback Dinopium benghalense LC IV Forest 4

Family: Alaudidae

79 Sand Lark Calandrella raytal LC IV Sandy river

banks 1,2,3,4

80 Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

1,2,3,4

66 | P a g e

Family:

Hirundinidae

81 Grey-throated Sand-

martin Riparia chinensis NT

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

Family:

Motacillidae

82 White Wagtail Motacilla alba LC IV Sandy river

banks 1,2,3,4

83 Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

LC IV Sandy river

banks 2

84 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

Family: Campephagidae

85 Grey-chinned

Minivet Pericrocotus solaris LC IV Forest 1

86 Pied Flycatcher-

shrike Hemipus picatus LC IV Forest 1

Family:

Pycnonotidae

87 Red-whiskered

Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus LC IV

Scrubland on

river bank 1,2,3,4

88 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 1,2,3,4

89 Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii LC IV Forest 1

90 Himalayan Black

Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus LC IV Forest 1,2

91 White-throated

Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus LC IV Forest 1

67 | P a g e

Family: Irenidae

92 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia LC IV Forest 1,2,3

93 Orange-bellied

Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii LC IV Forest 1

Family: Laniidae

94 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus LC IV Forest 1

Family: Cinclidae

95 Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii LC Sandy river

banks 1

Family:

Muscicapidae

96 Blue Whistling-

thrush Myiophonus caeruleus LC IV Forest 1,2

97 Oriental Magpie-

robin Copsychus saularis LC IV

Scrubland on

river bank 2,3,4

98 White-rumped

Shama Copsychus malabaricus LC IV Forest 1

99 Plumbeous Water-

redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus LC IV

river bank

boulders 1

100 Forktail Enicurus sp. LC IV Forest 1

101 White-tailed

Stonechat Saxicola leucurus LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

4

102 Greater Necklaced

Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis LC IV

River side

forest 2

103 Striated

Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striata LC IV Forest 1

104

Rufous-necked

Laughingthrush

Dryonastes ruficollis LC IV Scrubland on

river bank

1

68 | P a g e

105 Puff-throated

Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps LC IV Forest 2,3,4

106 Golden Babbler Cyanoderma chrysaea LC IV Forest 2,3

107 Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

108 Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps LC IV Forest 1

109 White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri LC IV Forest 1

110 Rufous-headed

Parrotbill Paradoxornis bakeri LC IV Forest 1

111 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

112 Bright-capped

Cisticola Cisticola exilis LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

113 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

114 Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

115 Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

3,4

116 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

117 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 2,3

118 Whistler’s Warbler Seicercus whistleri LC IV Forest 1

69 | P a g e

119 Grey-hooded

Warbler

Phylloscopus

xanthoschistos LC IV Forest 1

120 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3,4

121 Ferruginous

Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea LC IV Forest 2

122 Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus LC IV Forest 1

123 Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae LC IV Forest 1

124 Grey-headed Canary-

flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

125

Asian Paradise

Flycatcher

Terpsiphone paradisi LC IV Forest 1,2,3

126 Black-naped Blue

Monarch Hypothymis azurea LC IV Forest 2

127 White-throated

Fantail Rhipidura albicollis LC IV Forest 1,2,3,4

Family: Paridae

128 Black-spotted Yellow

Tit Parus spilonotus LC IV Forest 1

Family: Dicaeidae

129 Fire-breasted

Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus LC IV Forest 1

Family:

Nectariniidae

130 Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja LC IV Forest 2

131 Streaked

Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna LC IV Forest 1

70 | P a g e

Family:

Zosteropidae

132 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 2,3,4

Family: Estrildidae

133 White-rumped

Munia Lonchura striata LC IV

Scrubland on

river bank 2

134 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 2

135 Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 2,3,4

Family: Passeridae

136 House Sparrow Passer domesticus LC IV Near

settlement 2,3,4

137 Eurasian Tree

Sparrow Passer montanus LC IV

Near

settlement 2,3,4

138 Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2

139 ‘Eastern’ Baya

Weaver

Ploceus philippinus

burmanicus LC IV

Grassland:

River banks

and islands

2,3

Family: Sturnidae

140 Grey-headed Starling Sturnia malabarica LC IV River side

forest 2,3

141 Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra LC IV Scrubland on

river bank 2,3,4

142 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis LC IV Near

settlement 2,3,4

143 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus LC IV River side

forest 2,3,4

71 | P a g e

144 White-vented Myna Acridotheres grandis VU IV River side

forest 2,3,4

145 Common Hill-myna Gracula religiosa LC IV River side

forest 4

Family: Oriolidae

146 Black-headed Oriole Oriolus xanthornus LC IV River side

forest 1,2,3,4

Family: Dicruridae

147 Bronzed Drongo Chaptia aeneus LC IV

148 Greater Racket-tailed

Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus LC IV

River side

forest 2

Family: Corvidae

149 Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae LC IV River side

forest 1,2,3,4

150 House Crow Corvus splendens LC IV River side

forest 1,2,3,4

151 Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos]

levailantii LC IV

River side

forest 1,2,3,4

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Annexure XI) List of mammals (Primary & secondary data)

Table 10. List of mammal species recorded during the survey (P: primary data, S: secondary data)

Sr

No.

Commn Name Scientific

Name

IUCN WPA P or S Source of

Information

Zone Remarks

Hylobatidae

1 Western

Hoolock Gibbon

Hoolock

hoolock

EN I P Vocalizations 2,4 Got photo of

a dead

individual

from FD

Family:

Cercopithecidae

2 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta LC I P Direct Sighting 1,2,4

3 Assamese

Macaque

Macaca

assamensis

NT II P and

S

Personal

Communication

Direct Sighting

1,2,4

4 Northern Pig-

tailed Macaque

Macaca leonina VU II S Personal

Communication

4

Family:

Elephantidae

5 Asian Elephant Elephan

maximus

EN I P Sighting of

tracks

2,3,4

Family: Cervinae

6 Sambar Rusa unicolor VU III P and

S

hoof marks 2,3,4 Skulls in local

houses

7 Hog Deer Axis porcinus EN III P and

S

hoof marks 2,3,4 Skulls in local

houses

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Family: Bovidae

8 Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee EN I P 3,4 Difficult to

differentiate

from feral

ones

Family: Suidae

9 Indian Wild Pig Sus scrofa LC I P and

S

Foot marks Roosting sites

Family: Felidae

10 Royal Bengal

Tiger

Panthera tigris EN I S Pers.Comm. 3,4 Not sure, may

be dispersing

individuals

from Kamlang

seen in these

regions if it is

an active

corridor

Sr

No.

Commn Name Scientific

Name

P or S Source of

Information

Zone Remarks

11 Common

Leopard

Panthera

pardus

VU I S Pers.Comm. 1,2,3,4 People claim

that it predates

on their cattle

and goats

often

12 Jungle Cat Felis chaus LC I S Pers.Comm. 1,2,3,4

13 Fishing Cat Prionailurus

viverrinus

VU II S Pers.Comm. 2,3,4 A skin in a

local house

Canidae

14 Golden Jackal Canis aureus LC II P Direct Sighting

and calls

1,2,3,4

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Family: Ursidae

15 Asiatic Black

Bear

Ursus

thibetanus

VU II S Pers.Comm. 1 Local people

claim that they

encounter it

occasionally.

Skin bags with

local people

Family:

Mustelidae

16 Yellow-throated

Marten

Martes flavigula LC II P Direct Sighting 1

17 Otter Possibly Aonyx

cinera

VU II P and

S

Pers.Comm.

Confirmed by

tracks

1,2,4 Not sure

about the

species are

there in PRF

near Tezu

Family:

Leporidae

18 Rusty-tailed Hare Lepus nigricolis

ruficaudatus

LC IV P Pellets found 2,3 Species

claimed based

on the known

distribution

Family: Manidae

19 Chinese Pangolin Manis

pentadactyla

CR I S Pers. Comm. 1,2 photographs

of hunted

individuals

Family:

Hystricidae

20 Himalayan

Crestless

Porcupine

Hystrix

brachyura

LC II P and

S

Pers. Comm.

Confirmed by

Tracks and quill

marks

2 Species

claimed based

on the known

distribution

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Family:

Sciuridae

21 Hoary-bellied

Squirrel

Callosciurus

pygerythrus

LC II P Direct Sighting 1,2

22 Pallas's Squirrel Callosciurus

erythrus

LC II P Direct Sighting 2

Family:

Pteropodidae

23 Indian Flying

Fox

Pteropus

giganteus

LC II P Direct Sighting 2

Family:

Platanistidae

24 South Asian

River Dolphin

Platanista

gangetica

gangetica

EN I P Pers. Comm.

Confirmed by

Direct sighting

3,4

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Annexure XII) Undertaking by project proponents

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