Appendix B: Biodiversity Baseline

204 Pages·2014·7.76 MB·English

ESIA of the Gulpur Hydropower Project
Appendix B: Biodiversity Baseline

Hagler Bailly Pakistan Appendix B
R4V07GHP: 09/23/14 B-1
Hagler Bailly Pakistan
Associated with PA Consulting Group Technical, Management, and Economic Counsel

Biodiversity Baseline
Gulpur Hydropower
Project
Final Report
HBP Ref.: R4E04GHP
September 23, 2014
Mira Power Limited
Islamabad
Biodiversity Baseline
Final Report
Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Project Setting .......................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Scope ........................................................................................................ 1-4
1.3 Study Area ................................................................................................ 1-4
1.4 Concerns Expressed by the Stakeholders ............................................. 1-6
1.5 Organization of the Report ...................................................................... 1-6
2. Methodology .................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Aquatic Ecological Resources Survey .................................................... 2-2
2.1.1 Fish .................................................................................................. 2-2
2.1.2 Macro-invertebrate ........................................................................... 2-3
2.2 Terrestrial Ecological Resources Survey ............................................... 2-3
2.2.1 Floral Diversity (Vegetation) and Habitats ........................................ 2-3
2.2.2 Mammals.......................................................................................... 2-5
2.2.3 Birds ................................................................................................. 2-6
2.2.4 Herpeto-fauna .................................................................................. 2-7
2.3 Basis for Determination of Conservation Status of Species and
Performance Standard for Preparation of the Baseline ......................... 2-7
2.4 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................... 2-9
3. Ecological Setting ........................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Regional Overview ................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Ecological and Socio-economic Significance of Poonch River ............ 3-2
3.3 Causes for Decline in Fish Resources .................................................... 3-4
3.4 Ecosystem Destruction due to Sand and Gravel Mining ....................... 3-6
4. Fish Fauna ........................................................................................ 4-1
4.1 Overview of Fish Fauna of Poonch River ............................................... 4-1
4.2 Distribution and Abundance of Fish Fauna ............................................ 4-7
4.2.1 October 2013 survey ........................................................................ 4-7
4.2.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................. 4-12
4.2.3 May 2014 Survey ........................................................................... 4-13
4.3 Indicator Species .................................................................................... 4-18
4.4 Fish Indicators and their Flow–related Needs ...................................... 4-26
4.4.1 Links to and Dependence on Flow Regime .................................... 4-26
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5. Macro-invertebrates ........................................................................ 5-1
5.1 Overview of Benthic Fauna ...................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Results of the Macro-invertebrate Surveys ............................................ 5-2
5.2.1 Distribution and Abundance in the Study Area ................................. 5-4
5.3 Macro-invertebrate Indicators ................................................................. 5-8
5.4 Macro-invertebrate Indicators for the Poonch River and their Flow-
Related Needs ........................................................................................... 5-9
6. Floral Diversity................................................................................. 6-1
6.1 Habitat Classification ............................................................................... 6-2
6.2 October 2013 Survey ................................................................................ 6-5
6.3 December 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 6-7
6.4 May 2014 Survey ...................................................................................... 6-7
6.5 Medicinal Plants of the Study Area ......................................................... 6-7
6.6 Plant Species in Area of Habitat Loss ..................................................... 6-7
7. Mammals .......................................................................................... 7-1
7.1 Large Mammals ........................................................................................ 7-5
7.1.1 October 2013 Survey ....................................................................... 7-5
7.1.2 December 2013 Survey .................................................................... 7-6
7.2 Small Mammals ...................................................................................... 7-10
7.2.1 October 2013 Survey ..................................................................... 7-10
7.2.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................. 7-11
7.3 Otters....................................................................................................... 7-11
7.4 Conservation and Protection Status ..................................................... 7-15
8. Herpeto-fauna .................................................................................. 8-1
8.1 Overview of Herpeto-fauna Abundance and Diversity ........................... 8-6
8.1.1 Species Sighted and Habitat Affinities ............................................ 8-10
8.2 Conservation Status ............................................................................... 8-11
9. Birds ................................................................................................. 9-1
9.1 Results and Discussion ........................................................................... 9-4
9.1.1 October 2013 Survey ....................................................................... 9-4
9.1.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................... 9-4
9.2 Species Sighted and Habitat Affinities ................................................... 9-8
9.3 Important Bird Areas .............................................................................. 9-12
9.4 Importance of Study Area for Migratory Birds ..................................... 9-14
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9.5 Birds of Conservation Importance ........................................................ 9-15
10. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 10-1
10.1 Habitat Types and Ecological Characteristics ..................................... 10-2
10.2 Fish Fauna .............................................................................................. 10-6
10.3 Macro-Invertebrates ............................................................................... 10-7
10.4 Endangered and Threatened Species ................................................... 10-7
10.4.1 Critical Habitat Assessment .......................................................... 10-11

Appendices
Appendix A: Field Data
Appendix B: Species List

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Exhibits
Exhibit 1.1: Project Setting ...................................................................................... 1-2
Exhibit 1.2: Principle Features of the Project ........................................................... 1-3
Exhibit 1.3: Study Area ............................................................................................ 1-5
Exhibit 1.4: Concerns Expressed by Stakeholders .................................................. 1-6

Exhibit 2.1: Timing, Location, and Scope of Surveys in the Study Area ................... 2-1
Exhibit 2.2: Aquatic Ecological Sampling Locations ............................................... 2-10
Exhibit 2.3: Terrestrial Ecological Sampling Locations .......................................... 2-11
Exhibit 2.4: Fish Sampling Locations for May 2014 survey .................................... 2-12

Exhibit 3.1: Photographs of Threats to Fish in the Study Area ................................. 3-6
Exhibit 3.2: Photographs of Sand and Gravel Extraction in Study Area ................... 3-7
Exhibit 3.3: Socio-Economic Uses of the Poonch River ........................................... 3-8

Exhibit 4.1: Fish Fauna Recorded from the Poonch River ....................................... 4-3
Exhibit 4.2: Species of Special Importance Found in the Poonch River,
Azad Kashmir ....................................................................................... 4-5
Exhibit 4.3: Fish Fauna Observed During October 2013 Survey of the Study Area . 4-8
Exhibit 4.4: Fish Abundance and Diversity at Sampling Points.
Survey Conducted October 2013 Survey ............................................ 4-11
Exhibit 4.5: Fish Fauna Observed During December Survey ................................. 4-13
Exhibit 4.7: Fish Abundance and Diversity Observed During May Survey ............. 4-17
Exhibit 4.8: Number of Individuals of Indicator Fish Species
collected in October 2013 survey at Sampling stations ....................... 4-19
Exhibit 4.9: Number of Indicator Fish Species Collected in the
Study Area during October 2013 survey ............................................. 4-20
Exhibit 4.10: Number of Indicator Fish Species Collected in the
Study Area during May 2013 survey ................................................... 4-20
Exhibit 4.13: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the
Schizothorax plagiostomus ................................................................. 4-28
Exhibit 4.14: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding,
and Migratory Behavior of the Tor putitora .......................................... 4-28
Exhibit 4.15: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Tor putitora ................... 4-29
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Exhibit 4.16: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding,
and Migratory Behavior of the Labeo dyocheilus ................................ 4-29
Exhibit 4.17: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Labeo dyocheilus .......... 4-30
Exhibit 4.18: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding,
and Migratory Behavior of the Glyptothorax kashmirensis .................. 4-30
Exhibit 4.19: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the
Glyptothorax kashmirensis .................................................................. 4-31
Exhibit 4.20: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding,
and Migratory Behavior of the Botia rostrata ....................................... 4-31
Exhibit 4.21: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Botia rostrata ................ 4-32
Exhibit 4.22: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding,
and Migratory Behavior of the Clupisoma garua ................................. 4-32
Exhibit 4.23: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Clupisoma garua ........... 4-33

Exhibit 5.1: Average Abundance /m2 of Macro-invertebrate Taxa ............................ 5-2
Exhibit 5.2: Macro-invertebrates Abundance at Sampling Points during
October 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 5-6
Exhibit 5.3: Macro-invertebrates Diversity at Sampling Points during
October 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 5-7
Exhibit 5.4: Average Abundance/m2 of EPT Fauna ................................................. 5-8
Exhibit 5.5: Average Abundance/m2 of Simuliidae ................................................... 5-9
Exhibit 5.6: Flow-related Needs of Macro-invertebrates ........................................ 5-10
Exhibit 5.7: Generalized Activity Calendar for EPT Fauna ..................................... 5-12
Exhibit 5.8: Generalized Activity Calendar for Simuliidae ...................................... 5-13

Exhibit 6.1: Habitat Distribution in the Terrestrial Study Area .................................. 6-4
Exhibit 6.2: Distribution of Different Habitats in the Study Area ............................... 6-5
Exhibit 6.3: Photographs of Different Habitats in the Study Area ............................. 6-5
Exhibit 6.4: Photographs of Common Plant Species of the Study Area ................... 6-8
Exhibit 6.5: Vegetation Cover, Plant Count and Diversity by Habitat Types,
Survey Conducted October 2013, December 2013 and May 2014 ....... 6-9
Exhibit 6.6: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats,
Survey conducted October 2013 ......................................................... 6-10
Exhibit 6.7: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats,
Survey Conducted December 2013 .................................................... 6-13
Exhibit 6.8: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats,
Survey Conducted May 2014 .............................................................. 6-14
Exhibit 6.9: Plant Species observed in Area of Habitat Loss ................................. 6-15
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Exhibit 7.1: Signs Data for Mammals Excluding Rodents,
Abundance and Diversity by Habitat Type, Surveys
Conducted and October 2013 and December 2013 ............................. 7-2

Exhibit 7.4: Species Accumulation Curves for December 2013 Survey ................... 7-5
Exhibit 7.5: Abundance of Mammals in the Study Area (for both signs and
sightings) Survey Conducted October 2013 and December 2013 ......... 7-8
Exhibit 7.6: Location of Pir Lasura National Park ..................................................... 7-9
Exhibit 7.7: Distribution of Mammal Signs in Habitat Types in the
Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ..................................... 7-10
Exhibit 7.8: Trapping Success for Rodents in the Study Area Survey
Conducted October 2013 .................................................................... 7-11
Exhibit 7.9: Summary of Otter Signs in Study Area. Surveys conducted
December 2013 .................................................................................. 7-13
Exhibit 7.10: Otter Sampling Locations in Study Area. Surveys conducted
December 2013 .................................................................................. 7-14
Exhibit 7.11: Photographs of Otter Signs Observed in Study Area during
December 2013 Survey ...................................................................... 7-15

Exhibit 8.1: Species Accumulation Curves for October 2013 Survey ....................... 8-3
Exhibit 8.2: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna by Habitat Type,
Survey Conducted October 2013 .......................................................... 8-4
Exhibit 8.3: Abundance of Herpeto-fauna in the Study Area Survey
Conducted October 2013 ...................................................................... 8-5
Exhibit 8.4: Photographs of Common Reptilian Species of the Study Area ............. 8-6
Exhibit 8.5: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna in the Aquatic
Study Area, Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 8-8
Exhibit 8.6: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna in the Terrestrial
Study Area, Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 8-9
Exhibit 8.7: Distribution of Some Common Herpeto-faunal species in
Habitat Types in Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ........... 8-11

Exhibit 9.1: Bird Abundance and Diversity by Habitat Type Surveys October
2013 and December 2013 .................................................................... 9-2
Exhibit 9.2: Species Accumulation Curves for October 2013 Survey in
Study Area in Habitat Types ................................................................. 9-2
Exhibit 9.3: Bird Abundance and Diversity in Aquatic Study Area,
Survey conducted October 2013 ........................................................... 9-6
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Exhibit 9.4: Bird Abundance and Diversity in Terrestrial Study Area,
Survey conducted October 2013 ........................................................... 9-7
Exhibit 9.5: Number of Birds of each Species Sighted by Habitat Type in the
Study Area. Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 9-9
Exhibit 9.6: Number of Birds of each Species Sighted by Habitat Type in the
Study Area. Survey Conducted December 2013 ................................. 9-11
Exhibit 9.7: Location of some of the Important Bird Areas in AJK .......................... 9-13
Exhibit 9.8: Asian Migratory Bird Flyways .............................................................. 9-15
Exhibit 9.9: Spatial Distribution of Vultures in the Study Area,
Survey Conducted October 2013 ........................................................ 9-17
Exhibit 9.10: Photographs of Vultures and Vulture Nests in the
Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ..................................... 9-18

Exhibit 10.1: Terrestrial Sampling Points for Each Habitat Type,
Surveys Conducted October 2013, December 2013
and May 2014 ..................................................................................... 10-2
Exhibit 10.2: Aquatic Sampling Points for Surveys Conducted in
October 2013, December 2014 and May 2014 ................................... 10-2
Exhibit 10.3: List of Species with Conservation Status Observed or Likely to
Occur in the Study Area Surveys conducted October 2013
(Oct 2013) and Decemer 2013 (Dec 2013) ....................................... 10-17

Hagler Bailly Pakistan Introduction
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1. Introduction
Mira Power Limited (the “MPL” or the “Company”) is an Independent Power Producer
(the “IPP”) which is planning to develop Gulpur Hydropower Project (the “Project”) in
the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (the „AJK‟). The Project will utilize the flow of Poonch
River, the full length of which within AJK has been notified as a national park by the
AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department. MPL engaged Hagler Bailly Pakistan to conduct
an assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity from the Project and to identify
mitigation and management measures to address potential impacts from the Project.
The objective of this study is to establish ecological baseline information on the flora and
fauna in the Study Area.
1.1 Project Setting
The Gulpur Hydropower Project with design capacity of 100 MW will use the water
resources of the Poonch River for power generation. The Project site is located in Kotli
District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir at latitude 33°27‟ and longitude 73°51‟, about 9 km
South of Kotli Town (Exhibit 1.1).
Exhibit 1.2 illustrates the principle features of the Project. The Project‟s major
components include weir, intake structure and power house. All the project structures will
be located near Barali on the Poonch River at about 11 km downstream of Kotli Town
and about 6 km downstream of the confluence of Ban Nullah with the river. The intake
structure and intake portal of the power tunnel will be located on west bank of the Poonch
River, 150 meter upstream of weir structure on the eastern face of a ridge. The power
house and outlet will be located on right bank Poonch River about 800 m downstream of
the Weir structure. A low flow section of a length of about 700m will be created
downstream of the weir to the outlet of the powerhouse. The Normal Operating Level
(NOL) of the Project shall be at an elevation of 532 m from the sea level

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