Significance of faunal diversity study for environment impact assessment and preparation of environment management plan (EIA/EMP) before implementation of hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Infrastructure and industrial developmental activities are integral part of societal upliftment and improvement. The developmental activities like construction of roads, buildings, industrial units, power projects and real estate activities require lot of land to fulfill these needs. Due to limited availability of land lot of forest area is diverted to complete these activities. Due to diversion of forest land which is habitat of various faunal species causes direct impact due to vegetation losses. Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) require lot of land for construction and other activities. Moreover these projects are constructed on river catchments so have greater impact on biodiversity including both flora and fauna. The present studies on EIA/EMP were conducted at Thana-Plaun hydroelectric power project site which has been planned on the river Beas in Mandi District. The studies on faunal diversity were conducted at three catchment sites i.e. power-house site, dam site and river diversion site to analyze the status of faunal diversity during three seasons i.e. Monsoon, Pre-monsoon and Post-monsoon season. Different diversity indexes were used for statistical analysis of the data collected from different sites. The data on faunal diversity can be further used to analyze the changes in faunal diversity due to impact of developmental activities and other climatic disturbances in the hydroelectric project sites.