Scheme (Project) Proposal

MITIGATIVE MEASURES AGAINST ACTIVITIES (PROPOSED) IN ECO-

SENSITIVE ZONE AREA BY GMR ENTERPRIZES PRIVATE LIMITED, NEW

DELHI IN CORINGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KAKINAD WILDLIFE RANGE OF

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM.

Action Plan

INTRODUCTION:

The mangrove forests of Godavari delta extend over 32222.17 ha (322.22

Sq.Km.). Out of this, 235.70 Sq. Km. of reserve Forest of Tallarevu and I. Polavaram

Mandals have been declared as Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary under the Management

control of Wildlife Management Division, Rajahmundry.

The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary with the estuarine and mangrove forest area

of Coastal region in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh is located at the

confluence of the River Godavari with the Bay of Bengal. The Northern part of the

Sanctuary is covered by the back waters of the Kakinada Bay. Kakinada Bay is

made up of estuary of river Godavari covers an area of about 29.0 sq. km. The bay

is fringed on the southern side by mud flats and thick mangrove swamps. The

Kakinada spit present on the eastern side of the bay running north to south in

direction acts as artificial embankment. Its shoreline habitats include mangrove

swamps, tidal flats, channels and shallow bar built bay towards north. The eastern

side is bounded by the Bay of Bengal. It is located at 12 km. south of Kakinada

which is a fast developing industrial city and attracts city dwellers for recreation.

The Coastal and marine environment of this region plays a vital role in

supporting human welfare by virtue of its immense biological and mineral resources

and the life-supporting systems it provides. Production operations and economic

installations along the coast, such as marine fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, oil and

gas exploration, ports and harbours, and tourism, have been contributing

significantly to the regional economy. Like elsewhere, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

and its adjoining Mangrove landscape, plays a crucial role in regional economic and

livelihood development besides providing various ecosystem services essential as

life supporting system for the East Godavari region. Unfortunately this ecosystem

getting whittled away due to high degree of anthropogenic pressures and needs to

be addressed immediately through restorative processes.

IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES

Ecosystem service provided by Mangroves of East Godavari Coastal region

a) Provisioning services:

i) Food: Mangroves here are permanent or temporary habitats for many

aquatic animals such as fin fish, shell fish, crustaceans and are

hatching and nursery grounds for many marine fish. It is estimated that

up to 80 percent of regional fish catches are directly or indirectly

dependent on mangroves.

ii) Timber and fuel wood: The villagers of this region mostly use the

timber of Mangrove flora to build houses and make furniture, rafters,

fences, bridges, poles, boats and as fuel wood.

iii) Medicines: There were a few traditional uses for mangroves and

associates like Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., Clerodendron inerme,

Dalbergia spinosa Roxb. Derris trifoliate Lour. and Hibiscus tiliaceus.

The bark of Ceriops decandra is prepared traditionally to enhance the

durability of the fishing nets. The barks of many species produce gums

and tannins, which are still used for curing leather and strengthening

fish nets.

iv) Other non-timber forest products (NTFPs): The breathing roots of

Sonneratia species are used to make corks and fish floats. Mangrove

plants are sources of sodium, and the ash of some species, such as

Avicennia, is used as soap.

v) Enrichment of Coastal Sea: The coastal vegetation like Algae, sea

weeds and mangroves play a significant role in enriching the coastal

sea. They transport the dissolved organic matter, nutrients etc., besides

serving as a nursery area for the larvae and juvenile marine animals

and thus support the benthic population of the sea.

vi) Fawning ground for commercially valued fish, crabs etc.: These

forests are the home ground for a variety of commercially important

fish, prawns, crabs and other species in their early stages, thus

providing a big economic source to the country in general and state in

particular.

b) Relating services:

i) Protecting the shoreline: Mangroves in this region acting as physical

buffers between the elements and the shore and can absorb 70–90

percent of the energy of the waves, depending on their ecological

condition. The mangroves of Coringa serve as a big barrier,

safeguarding the Kakinada town. The opportunity cost of saving a life

by retaining mangroves and it was assessed to be Rs. 11.7 million per

life saved.

ii) Carbon sequestration: Mangroves are important carbon sinks. They

sequester about millions of tonnes of carbon per year. A 20-year-old

plantation of mangroves has a carbon burial rate of 580 grams per

square meter per year.

iii) Promoting accretion: Mangroves function much like a living grove to

build up sediment, stabilizing the ground and fixing mud banks. It is

estimated that there is an annual sedimentation rate ranging between 1

and 8 millimeters in mangrove areas that are expanding in land area.

Therefore, they prevent erosion.

iv) Flood attenuation: Mangrove habitats function as gigantic sponges to

trap and slowly release surface water. A one-acre wetland can typically

store about three acre-feet of water.

v) Trapping pollutants: Mangrove roots that help trap sediments also

function as filters to sift out pollutants reaching the sea from inland

waters.

vi) Support for fauna: The canopy of mangrove trees provides an

essential terrestrial habitat for fauna which prefer arboreal life.

Mangrove soils are soft; mud mixed with sand and contains fauna

which is not found in sandy and rocky shores. These forests are the

abode of species like fishing cats, Otters, Wolfs, and Rhesus Monkeys

etc., Apart from these residential species a number of birds are

attached to these forests since they provide food for them in the form of

fish, crabs, micro organisms, mud skippers etc.

ACTIONS REQUIRED:

1) Advance operations and raising of mangrove plantation:

About an area of 1637 ha have already been regenerated within the sanctuary

area. Still small pockets of unplanted areas are available for regeneration and they

may be taken up during 2016 to 2022 planting season. A total of 60% area is

damaged and needs for rechanneling.

The areas outside the sanctuary adjacent to the western border wherever

possible should also be taken up for plantation to maintain the cushioning effect for

the sanctuary. All the encroached abandoned aquaculture farms shall be brought

under the mangrove plantations.

The standard method of Fishbone channelling shall be adopted for regeneration. It

has been observed in all the planted areas earlier, many of the natural fish nursery

ponds have disappeared as they have not been given due importance at the time of

designing itself. Simulation or restoration of mangrove ecology shall be based on

nature’s design. It is recommended to explore possibilities of restore all disappeared

natural breeding ponds of the fish and other invertebrates. Care should be taken

while regenerating the areas such that all natural aquatic ponds are protected and

the courses of water inflows into them shall be maintained.

Table 1: Areas Recommended for Plantation

S. No

RF/Range Beat Compt.

No

Area of

Compt. (ha)

Area Available

for plantation

(ha)

Nature of the Area

Latitudes and Longitudes

(around)

1 Coringa Kakinada WLM

Coringa 656 700.85 50 Degraded

16° 51´ 24.6´´ 82° 17´ 54.4´´ Elevation 5m

2 Bhairavapalem Kakinada WLM

Bhairavapalem 661 603.29 50

Encroached, Abandoned aquaculture farm land area inside the Sanctuary Boundary

16° 44´ 44.3´´ 82° 18´ 41.1´´ Elevation 3m

3

Buffer Rathikalava; Kakinada (T) (Adjacent Bhairavalanka Village)

Rathikalava 670 615.37 50

Degraded land and Encroached, Abandoned aquaculture farm land area within and outside the RF

16° 41´ 41.8´´ 82° 17´ 56.9´´ Elevation 4m

Total Area to be planted 150

In the above area, it is proposed for planting over an area of 150 ha in

5 years during 2016 to 2022 in this scheme. Details are enclosed in the statement.

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES:

Restoration of the mangroves shall be done only when the salinity of the

degraded area is brought down. In order to reduce the salinity, fishbone type canals

are to be dug and tidal flushing and draining of stagnant water is facilitated. This

results in brining the salinity levels to 60 ppt in summer to fresh water level during

monsoon seasons. After a buffer period of three months, the nursery shall be raised,

mangrove saplings are planted along the trapezoid shaped canals in the degraded

areas.

Canals are designed like fishbone in order to facilitate easy inflow and outflow

of tidal water. The main canals shall be dug at an angle of 45° to the natural creek,

while the side canals are dug at an angle of 30° to the main canal. This needs a

preplanning of marking canals using Pegs and chalk powder. The canal dimensions

shall be determined as per the contour levels and the tidal amplitude of the degraded

area chosen for restoration The canals are to be dug in a trapezoidal shape in order

to plant the saplings at the mid level of the canal. This is to ensure that the plants

receive tidal water, but at the same time they are not submerged. Geomorphology

and hydrology in mangrove restoration based on the contour survey and hydrology

study, the canal depths and dimensions shall be fixed, corresponding to the

topography and tidal amplitude of the selected restoration site. The topography study

reveals whether the areas lying close to the bunds of creeks /rivers or elevated

(levee) compared to the areas inside. The levees are formed due to the deposition of

silt during floods. Secondly, the soil subsided in the clear felled area due to changes

in bulk density, making the topography saucer-shaped. As a result, tidal water

entering during the highest of the high tides stagnates in the saucer shaped area due

to the elevation of the edges. The temperature and the salinity of the stagnant water

increases and shoots up to 114 ppt during summer. This phenomenon prevents

natural regeneration of the mangroves and thus enhances the process of

degradation. The area gets flooded only during the monsoon period and cyclones

and storms.

. The dimensions of the canals were determined based on the contour levels

and tidal amplitude. The top width of the main canal can be between 3.0 m and 2 m

and the respective bottom width could be between 1.0m and 0.4m depth. The

dimensions of the side canals shall be 1.2 m top width, 0.3 m bottom width and

0.40m depth. The distance between the two side canals at the maximum 12.5m

during the first year of plantation. The planting of mangrove saplings shall be done

2 m apart along the canals at about 20 cm down the slope. In the subsequent years,

distance between side canals will be reduced up to 8 m in order to ensure dense

canopy. In case the canals are dug closely the dimension of the side canals shall be

reduced accordingly to 1.25m top-width, 0.2m bottom width and 0.4 m deep.

Mangroves namely Aegiceras cornicularum, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza,

Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Xylocarpus moluccensis shall also

planted to ensure genetic diversity. Eight-month-old mangrove saplings raised in the

nursery may be used for planting. The mangrove saplings shall be planted along the

slopes (20-25cm from the top) of the canals with an espacement of 2 m.

Desilting: The bunds formed by the deposition of the excavated soil during canal

digging will silt the canals during the monsoon seasons. The silted canals have to be

de-silted before the onset of summer, because during summer the tidal amplitude is

generally low. Tidal flushing is very important during summer because the soil

salinity will shoot up due to high temperature and cause damage to the roots of the

seedlings. Such seedlings will be replanted in the following monsoon season. The

survival percentage is measured in the initial period for better monitoring. Initially the

growth rate was slow and after 2 to 3 years the seedling growth rate was faster. The

natural regeneration of the seedlings also occurs simultaneously. After four years,

the planted saplings start bearing fruits, which will regenerate, and the density of the

area will increase.

The cost of restoration of degraded mangroves in an area of 150 ha which

includes survey, clearance, alignment and advance work in canal construction and

planting would require Rs. 100.94 lakhs. Hence, Rs. 100.94 lakhs will be the total

cost for restoration of 150 ha of degraded mangroves through community

participation. Year wise details are along with data sheets are enclosed in the

statement.

PROTECTION ACTION PLAN

Protection Measures:

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is a Wildlife Sanctuary and Estuary situated in

Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the second largest surviving stretch of mangrove forest

in India. The Andhra Pradesh forest department has taken steps to ensure

conservation of biodiversity and for afforestation of mangroves in the sanctuary.

Since the sanctuary was established, the staff structure is well organized to manage

and conserve the sanctuary. The management plan 2013-2023 given definite

prescriptions and objectives.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary has an excellent system of water transport is

available in the form of 34 creeks in the sanctuary. The network of the creeks of the

streams Coringa and Gaderu will be useful for patrolling the entire landward area of

the sanctuary by two teams of patrolling staff every day.

It is important to strengthen the protection force of the Sanctuary by having

Forest Watchers Headquarters in each island, which is in addition to the existing

protection force. Minimum of two forest watchers should be posted in each of the

island with a motorboat and communication systems. People who are posted on the

island need to be given special incentives and their stay on the islands should not

harm the biodiversity at any level. Minimum accommodation facilities (eco friendly

protection huts) may be created in each larger island.

Responsibilities of the proposed protection force (Annexure - 2) under the

control of the Wildlife Warden need to be extended to other zones even outside the

Sanctuary limits. Any violation of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the

Management Plan of Coringa, anywhere in the sanctuary should not be allowed.

This should be the responsibilities of the protection force under the Wildlife Warden

of the Sanctuary and also by the other staff of the Coringa.

2) Protection of Turtle nests:

The lifespan of sea turtles has been speculated at 80 years. It takes decades

for sea turtles to reach sexual maturity. After mating at sea, adult female sea turtles

return to land to nest at night. Generally, females return to the same beach where

they were hatched. This can take place every two to four years in maturity.

The mature nesting female hauls her self onto the beach and finds suitable

sand on which to create a nest. Using her hind flippers, she digs a circular hole 40 to

50 centimeters (16 to 20 in) deep. After the hole is dug, the female then starts filling

the nest with a clutch of soft-shelled eggs one by one until she has deposited around

50 to 200 eggs, depending on the species. Some species have been reported to lay

250 eggs, such as the hawksbill. After laying, she re-fills the nest with sand, re-

sculpting and smoothing the surface until it is relatively undetectable visually. The

whole process takes thirty to sixty minutes. She then returns to the ocean, leaving

the eggs untended.

The hatchling's gender depends on the sand temperature. Lighter sands

maintain higher temperatures, which decreases incubation time and results in more

female hatchlings.

Incubation takes about two months. The eggs in one nest hatch together over

a very short period of time. When ready, hatchlings tear their shells apart with their

snout and dig through the sand. Once they reach the surface, they instinctively head

towards the sea. Only a very small proportion of each hatch (usually .01%)

succeeds.

Every year Olive ridley sea turtles visit the coastal districts and lay eggs

during the month of December to March and proceeds up to June of succeeding

year. Young turtles come out of the hatched eggs and join the sea. The main

predators are Jackals, Foxes, Wild boars which feed on eggs. Monitoring the

hatching of sea turtles was taken up in Hope Island.

For monitoring and conservation an amount of Rs. 10.00 lakhs proposed for

this purpose.

Sea turtles of India

There are seven sea turtle species in the world out of this seven species five sea turtle species are found in Indian waters .

Olive ridley turtle Hawksbill turtleGreen sea turtle

Loggerhead sea turtle Leatherback sea turtle

SEA TURTLE (OLIVE RIDLEY) CONSERVATION

3) Otter/Fishing cat Habitat Conservation and monitoring:- Otters in India: Smooth otters are named for their shorter, smoother coats, as

compared the similar-sized sympatric Lutrogale sp. Sources reveal that this species

occur in variety of habitats from Mangroves of freshwater wetlands. Among all Asian

otters this is the one, occurs to be most common through most of its ranges. It is

found throughout India in the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, West

Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In most of these states, the

otter population has declined in areas in which they were once quite common.

Legal Status: Indian Smooth-Coated Otters are the semi-aquatic members of the

family Mustelidae and is the most common of Asian otters. These otters are the

indicators of healthy aquatic environments. Indian Smooth-Coated Otters are

included in Schedule II (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and

covered under Part A of Schedule I of the Export (Trade) Control Order, 1988.

Threats identified in and around Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. 1. The greatest threats to the Otters in and around Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary are

due to loss of habitat - particularly wetlands conversion into aquaculture ponds

and agricultural purposes.

2. Over exploitation of fish fauna is also a major cause of declines in population of

otters.

3. Pollution of waterways with industrial, agricultural pesticides and municipal

wastes threatens and contaminates the food chain on which otters depend.

4. High level of human disturbance.

5. Otters are caught and drowned in fishing nets, not fitted with otter guards.

6. Other significant threats to otters in the form of oil pollution, oil spills, poaching,

and conflicts with fisheries.

For monitoring and conservation an amount of Rs. 3.00 lakhs proposed to

artificially create sand beds for the halts. It has been experienced that our forest staff

collected the excreta material from the existing holts, where threats are suspected

and spreading at the artificial holt, noticed movement of Otters & Fishing cats

through trap cameras. So to translocate the otters from the threat areas( nearby

aqua forms out side the sanctuary) to safer areas of the sanctuary.

4) Water bird monitoring & habitat improvement measures:-

269 bird species are identified in and around the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Periodical analysis on all the probable influencing factors shall be taken up to

ascertain toxic levels. For the periodical checking of the toxic levels, creation of

local habitats, an amount of Rs. 2.00 lakhs is proposed for 2 years.

5) Whale Shark & Dolphin & impact monitoring: Traces of movement of Whale shark & dolphin are observed in the proposed

project area and instances of fishing the whale shark (bye Catch) by the local

fisherman community. The Gujarat State Government is ahead in protecting the

whale shark in the country. It was announced to the fisherman in the presence of the

local public representatives for providing the cost of the fishing nets, if the fisherman

leave the net, when whale shark is caught accidentally.

The A.P Forest Department has been conducting survey along the coast of

the state through Wild Life Trust of India and there is immense need to conserve the

Whale shark & Dolphins, for which an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs are proposed.

6) Awareness programs / expert consultations:

Creating awareness through wide publicity to the local people, fishermen and

by organizing nature camps improves the positive approach towards conservation of

wild animals. The ethnic customs related to conservation will be advocated. The

local people have to make the conservation of animals as a custom. Their culture is

being into conservation since long time and such attitude of “Nature sustaining

culture and culture conserving Nature” has to be encouraged. An amount of

Rs. 5.00 lakhs is proposed for such programmes of awareness generation.

7) Trainings to the LNG staff on wildlife related various aspects by involving experts:

Trainings to the staff of LNG is also necessary over the wild life existing in the

sanctuary and the conservative measures that are being taken up by the Forest

Department. Hence, an amount of Rs. 1.00 lakh is proposed for this purpose.

8) Awareness materials publicity: Much publicity is required to create awareness among the public on National

Park. The people have to know the importance of wildlife. Therefore the printing of

publicity material like brochures, wall papers, T-shirts, Caps, Key chains are

required. Hence, an amount of Rs. 20.00 lakhs is proposed for this purpose.

9) Sea-worthy boat hiring / maintenance charges for monitoring purposes:

It is proposed to procure/hire one sea going vessel with communication

systems, arms and first aid kits for patrolling as well as for rescue operation. Budget

allotment for these boats should also include the operational and maintenance cost.

In addition to the above, the Range must have a patrolling vehicle as well as smaller

vessel (speed boat). Hence, an amount of Rs. 7.50 lakhs is proposed for this purpose.

10) Sea-floor Mappings of the LNG project area before and after the installations: A scientific study has to be taken up by the experts may be from JNTU,

Kakinada or from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam over a period of 5 years for

observing the positive/ negative effects on setting up the proposed project and an

amount of Rs. 1.00 lakhs is proposed.

11) Distribution of Turtle Escaping Device (TEDs):

Distribution of Turtle Escaping Device (TEDs) to the fisherman community for

conserving sea turtles, for which Rs. 3.00 lakhs are proposed.

12) Maintenance of Mud flats to attract the birds:

It has been noticed by the fisherman community that the natural mudflats are

silted up so that the fish potentiality has been decreased at the creek areas reflecting

the poor habitat for the birds as well forcing the fisherman to go in to the sea for

fishing. Hence proposed to create/ desilt the existing mudflats with an amount of Rs.

3.00 lakhs in the sanctuary area for a period of 3 years.

13) Office support including wages of computer operator: For preparation of data sheets, schemes, documentation and towards the wages

of the Data Entry Operator, an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs is proposed at Range Office for

10 years.

14) Engaging conservation biologist to be stationed at Coringa:

It is proposed to engage one conservation biologist for monitor and suggest

the forest authorities for the conservation activities like the movement of Fishing cat,

Otters, Birds and for whale Shark etc. For which an amount of Rs. 30.00 lakhs

proposed for the project period.

15) General contingencies and over heads and monitoring charges:

An amount of Rs. 3.56 lakh is proposed to meet the miscellaneous office

expenditure like office stationery, telephone bill, electricity bills, over heads and

monitoring charges, maintenance of buildings, base camps, patrolling and other

protection measures.

Activities Proposed:

The following compensative measures at the cost of the user agency are proposed.

Sl. No.

Description

2017-18 to 2026-27

Phy. Fin.

1 2 3 4

1 Advance operations and raising of mangrove plantation. 150 100.94

2 Sea-turtle conservation programme 10.00

3 Otter/Fishing cat Habitat Conservation and monitoring Ls 3.00

4 Water bird monitoring & habitat improvement measures for 2 years Ls 2.00

5 Whale Shark & Dolphin & impact monitoring for 5 years Ls 5.00

6 Awareness programs / expert consultations Ls 5.00

7 Trainings to the LNG staff on wildlife related various aspects by involving experts & higher authorities for 5 year Ls 1.00

8 Awareness materials publicity etc., Ls 20.00

9 Sea-worthy boat hiring / maintenance charges for monitoring purposes for 5 years. Ls 7.500

10 Sea-floor Mappings of the LNG project area before and after the installations Ls 1.00

11 Distribution of TEDs to the fisherman community for conserving sea turtles. Ls 3.00

12 Maintenance of Mud flats to attract the birds. Ls 3.00

13 Office support including wages of computer operator @ 14000 pm for 10 years including escalation of 10%. Ls 5.00

14 Engaging conservation biologist to be stationed at Coringa to monitor and suggest the forest authorities for the conservation activities. @ 25000 pm for 10 years. Ls 30.00

15 General contingencies and over heads and monitoring charges. Ls 3.56

Total : 200.00

Thus, Rs. 200.00 lakhs has been proposed for Management, Development

and Protection of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary during 2017-18 to 2026-27. The

abstract of the works is given in the annexure enclosed herewith.

Divisional Forest Officer,

Wildlife Management, Rajamahendravaram.