Biological impact assessment of kalabagh dam

BIOLOGICAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

KALABAGH DAM

FLORA AND FAUNAVast variety of plants and

animals

23 Species of medicinal

plants

And the signature vegetation

: Mangroves

FLORA (Main Vegetation)

Mangrove

s

Kirir

Bush Plum

Vasa

HERBS HERBS

Devil's HorsewhipAchyranthus aspara

Medicinal Plant

KAPOK (Fodder) Aerva javanica

GRASSES Goose GrassAcrachne racemosa

Sixweeks threeawnAristida adscensionis

LEMON GRASS

CLIMBERS

Adiantum capillus-

veneris

Adiantum pedatum

SHRUBS Acacia nilotica

( Jhansi )

Tamarix aphylla (Athel)

BerZiziphus maritiana

VANN / JALLSalvadora oleoides

ROPERAT. undulata

(Main Timber Source)

FAUNA

Mammals

Birds

Fish Species

JUNGLE CAT

INDIAN WOLF

PUNJAB URIAL

YELLOW MARTEN

ASIATIC JACKAL

CHINKARA (INDIAN GAZELLE)

BIRDS Chukar

SEE-SEE

GREY GO-AWAY BIRD

BLACK PARTRIDGES

GARUA CATFISH

RITA CATFISH

CHECKLIST FOR BIOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF KALABAGH DAM

Biological Factors Pre Construction Construction Operation

Flora

Fauna

Unique Wildlife Resources

Threatened Species

Crop Production

SPECIES OF CONCERN

MANGROVES

PUNJAB URIAL

INDUS DOLPHIN

PALLA FISH

Mangroves• Mangrove forest cover an area of almost

0.32 MA • Spreading from Karachi in the west to

Rann of Kutch in the east• 95% of the population now consist of a salt

tolerant variety

• Extent of the active delta area is about

294,000 acres.

• Out of this, the mangroves cover only

7,400 acres or 2.5% of the area

Cause of mangrove decline is actually tidal inundation, not fresh water decline.

In fact, it is seen that after building a dam, mangroves usually flourish rather than declining.

After Project Mitigation

Salt tolerant and controlled fresh water in-taking plants will be installed.

Fisheries

After formation of dams and barrages, fish

population usually increases.

Example : Kotri Barrage

Fish will remain unaffected.

But if, problem arises

• Fresh water reservoir(s) for fish farming

will be provided to local people.

• And subsidies will be given to local people

for their loss

Indus River Dophin

Population: 1,100

Status: Endangered

Cause of decline: Diversion

But, now

• P.minor has adapted to muddy and silted

water

• Now the main problem is not ‘diversion’

but ‘illegal catching’

What Kalabagh Dam will Provide

• Proper Monitoring

• Reducing their catching

• Provision of funds to organizations like

WWF

Effects on Crops

In the riverain area downstream to Kotri Barrage, groundwater is predominantly

saline or brackish and as such unsuitable for either irrigation water supply.

Solution

After Kalabagh, winter supply in the river would improve thus assuring more suitable

water for irrigation.

Punjab Urial• Status: Threatened

• Indus is located

west to their habitat

• Population: 2,157

Effects Of Kalabagh

• Cause of decline: Illegal hunting

• Water shortage/ Water requirements were

never the causes of decline

• Kalabagh will have no effect on the

vulnerable urial specie