BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The present study is to characterise the environmental components like flora and fauna, to assess the biological diversity of the region. Flora and fauna can be used for biological surveillance in assessing the environmental status (Figure 3.1). The ecological interpretation of Nakkavagu basin is based on reconnaissance survey and from secondary sources of information.
Water is the basic and essential resource for the survival of flora and fauna. The flora being the primary producer influences the fauna of the region. The characteristic flora existing in a region depends up on the existing conditions such as intensity of sunlight, type of soil, quality of air, including the quality and quantity of water available, etc. Several scientists in the past have studied the ecological aspects and pollution (Hynes (1960), Munnawar (1970), Bharati (1973), Senayya (1979), Cynthia (1980), Khanum (1980), Ambasht (1981), Clapham (1981), Khan (1985), Kim (1990), Chapman (1992), Beeby (1993)). In Nakkavagu basin the Industrialisation led to pollution of surface and groundwater resources, soil, air, etc., this will have impact on the biodiversity of the region.
Nakkavagu basin area supports diverse fauna because of the presence of water bodies in and around the basin. The Manjira wildlife sanctuary located to the north-west of Nakkavagu basin about 30kms from Patancheru lies in between the Manjira and Singoor barrages. This Sanctuary is the abode for a number of resident and migratory birds in addition to being the home for the Marsh crocodile. On the whole the rivers, streams, reservoirs, tanks, ponds, and lakes present in this part of Medak District, supporting diverse aquatic flora and fauna, is the sensitive region to be protected.
3.2 FLORA
The flora in this region is tropical deciduous, as the monsoons are very much short lived in this District. The shedding of leaves starts around January and the trees remain leafless till June. The flora that is found in Nakkavagu basin is presented in (Table 3.1).
Table 3.1 Indigenous plant species of Nakkavagu basin.
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
1. Acacia arabica Babul Tumma Timber, fodder, fuel-wood, fencing,
2. Acacia auriculoformis Nakka Thoka Timber, fuel-wood
3. Acacia concinna Shikakai Fencing, shampoo
4. Acacia ferrugen Tella Thumma Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
5. Acacia instia Seema Korinda Fencing,
6. Acacia mangium Budidaaku Chettu Fuel-wood
7. Acassia catechu Tella Thumma Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
8. Achras zapota Sapota Sapota Fruit
9. Adathoda vasica Addasaram Fencing, medicinal, biopesticide
10. Adenanthera pavonina Erra Goli Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
11. Aegle marmelos Bale Maredu Fruit, dye, cultural
12. Agave angustifolia Agave Sagaramatta Fencing, fiber
13. Alebizzia lebback Dirishanam Fodder, timber, fuel-wood
14. Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthus Totakura Greens
15. Annona squamosa Custard Apple Seetahapal Fruit, medicinal, biopesticide.
16. Artocarpus heterophyllus Jack Fruit Panasa Fruit, timber
17. Azadirachta indica Neem Vepa Timber, fuel-wood, fodder, oil, medicinal, biopesticide
18. Bambusa arundinacea Bamboo Veduru Timber, basket making
19. Bauhinia purpurea Kanchanam Timber, fodder, fuel-wood
20. Bauhinia racemosa Are Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
21. Bixa orellana Annota Dye
22. Buchannia lanzan Chiranj Morri Fruit, fodder, fuel-wood
23. Butea monosperma Flame of Forest Modugu Dye, fuel-wood, leaf plate, green manure, medicinal
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
24. Caesalpinia crista Gachhakaya Fencing, medicinal
25. Calotropis gigantia Jilledu Medicinal, fodder, green manure, biopesticide
26. Canavalia enciformis Swork Bean Chammakaya Vegetable, green cover, fodder
27. Carica papaya Papaya Fruit, medicinal
28. Cassia auriculata Nela Tangedu Fuel-wood, medicinal, manure
29. Cassia fistula Rela Fuel-wood, fodder, timber
30. Cassia siamea Adavi Tangedu Green Manure, medicinal, fuel-wood, timber
31. Cassia spectabilis Pachha Tangedu Fuel-wood, green manure, medicinal, timber
32. Centrocema pubescens Katte teega Fodder, green cover
33. Cibea pentandra Adavi Patthi Cotton, medicinal, fodder
34. Citrus auruntium Citrus Nimma Fruit, medicinal, biopesticide.
35. Clerodendron phlomidis Takkali Medicinal
36. Clitoria ternatea Blue Bell Shanku pushpam Fodder, green cover
37. Coleus aromaticus Vaamaku Medicinal, biopesticide,
38. Coriandrum sativum Coriandar Daniyalu Greens, biopesticide
39. Crotalaria juncea Sun Hemp Janumu Fiber, green manure, medicine
40. Cucurbita moschata Pumpkin Gummadi Vegetables
41. Diospyros chloroxylon Illinta Fencing, fodder, timber, fuel-wood, fruit
42. Dodonaea viscosa Pulaili Fuel-wood, fencing, fodder
43. Dolichos biflorus Horsegram Uluvalu Fodder, green manure, Medicinal
44. Dolichos lab-lab Bean Kuranupa Vegetables, green cover
45. Emblica officinalis Gooseberry Usiri Fruit, medicinal
46. Erithrina indica Tellarjam Fodder, fuel-wood
47. Euphorbia antiquorum Pudaka Jemadi Fencing, medicinal
48. Feronia elephantum Wood apple Veluga Fruit, fuel-wood, fodder.
49. Ficus bengalensis Bhad Marri Fuel-wood, medicinal
50. Ficus glomerata Fig Medi Fodder, fuel-wood, timber
51. Ficus religiosa
Peepul Ragi Fruit, fuel-wood, cultural
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
52. Gardinia gummifera Chitimiti Fruit, fencing, fodder, fuel-wood
53. Gossypium herbaceum Nalla Patti Cotton, Medicinal
54. Grewia tilliaefolia Palsa Fruit
55. Guizoltia abyasinica Niger Gaddinuvulu Oil, Green manure, medicinal, fodder
56. Gymnosporia montana Danta Fencing, fuel-wood
57. Hardwickia binnata Yepi Timber, fuel-wood, fodder,
58. Hibiscus cannabinus Punti Fiber, fodder
59. Ipomoea fistulosa Tuti poraka Fencing, weaving
60. Jeatropha curacas Adavi amudam Oil, medicinal, biopesticide
61. Lagenaria leucantha Bottle Gourd Sorakaya Vegetable
62. lagerstroemia parviflora Chennagi Food, medicinal, fodder
63. Lantana camera Lantana Kakipandu Fencing, fruit, thatch
64. Luffa acutangula Ridge Gourd Beera Vegetable
65. Madhuka indica Mohua Ippa Fuel-wood, fodder, medicinal, timber, food
66. Mangifera indica Mango Mamidi Fruit, timber, fuel-wood.
67. Melia azadirachta Persian Lilac Turka Vepa Timber fodder
68. Momordica charantia Bitter Gourd Kaakara Vegetable, medicinal
69. Morinda tomentosa Maddi Timber, fodder, medicinal, fuel-wood
70. Morus alba Mulberry Bontha Pandlu Fruit, fodder, fuel-wood
71. Mucuna cochinchinensis Velvet bean Doolkaya Fodder, green cover
72. Murraya koenigi Curry leaf Karivepaku Medicinal, biopesticide
73. Occimum basilicum Sanctum Tulisi Medicinal, biopesticide, cultural
74. Ougeinia oojeinensis Tella Motuku Firewood, timber
75. Parkiasonia aculeata Cheema tumma Fencing, fuel-wood
76. Passiflora edulis Passion fruit Pacha Pundu Fruit, medicinal,
77. Peltophoram pterocarpum Pachha Pulu Fuel-wood, timber
78. Phaseolus trilobus Pilli Pesara Fodder, green manure, medicinal
79. Phoenix sylvestris Palm Eetha Fruit, basket making, fencing
80. Pithecellobium dulce Inga dulce Seema Chinta Fruit, timber, fodder,
81. Plantago ovata Mehandi Gorinta Fencing, dye
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
82. Pongamia pinnata Kharanj Kanuga Green manure, medicinal, fuel-wood, oil, timber.
83. Premna integrifolia Takkali Fodder, fencing, medicinal, timber, biopesticide
84. Prosopis cineraria
Jambi chettu Timber, fodder, cultural
85. Psidium gujava Guava Jama Fruit, furniture, medicinal
86. Punica granatum Pomegranate Danimma Fruit, medicinal
87. Ricinus communis Castor Amudam Oil, fodder, timber
88. Rumex pesicarius Chukkakura Greens
89. Samaea saman Rain tree Nidra ganneru Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
90. Sapindus mukorossi Soapnut Kunkudu Shampoo, fuel-wood
91. Sasbania aculeata Tagarancha Green manure, medicinal, green cover
92. Sesbania grandiflora Avisha Food, fuel-wood, fodder,
93. Sesbania species Jiluga Fodder, green manure, medicinal
94. Sesbania species Barputam Fodder, green cover, green
95. Spinacea oleracea Palak Palak Greens
96. Strychnos nux-vomica Vishamushti Timber, medicinal, fuel-wood
97. Strychnos potatorum Chilla Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
98. Stylosanthes guyanensis Stylo Fodder, green cover, green manure, medicinal
99. Syzyphus cumini Kala Jamun Allaneradu Timber, fodder, medicinal, fruit
100. Tagetes erecta Marigold Banthi Medicinal, biopesticide, flower
101. Tamarindus indica Tamarind Chinta Fruit, fuel-wood, fodder
102. Tectona grandis Teak Teak Timber, fodder,
103. Tephrosia purpurea Vempali Green manure, dye
104. Terminalia alata Tanni Timber, medicinal, fuel-wood.
105. Terminalia catappa Indian Almond Baadam Fruit
106. Terminalia chebula Hulda Karka Medicinal, fuel-wood
107. Thevetia peruviana Ganneru Fencing,
108. Trigonella foenum graecum Fenugreek Menti Greens
109. Vigna sinensis Cow Pea Alasandalu Fodder, green cover
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
110. Vitex negundo Vaili Fencing, medicinal, fuel-wood, biopesticide
111. Vitis setosa Pulla bachhali Greens,
112. Ziziphus mauritiana Ber Reni Fruit, fencing, timber, fodder, medicinal
113. Ziziphus oenoplia Sparrow Berry Pariki Fruit, fencing, fodder
These lists of species identified are indigenous to this region, many of them were once found abundantly in these parts of Nakkavagu basin. These species listed are within the knowledge of older generation, their opinion is considered before finalising the list. The diverse species identified meet the various requirements of local people and their domestic animals. They also play an important role in the local ecosystem of the area. Many tree species are reduced to few numbers and are limited to few scattered pockets. As per the villagers, with the industrial development many species are not found any more or are seen in reduced numbers. As these species are indigenous some of these listed species can be selected for afforestation and greening of the industrial areas for lessening the impacts of pollution.
Agro-forestry is still a practice in many villages; the fields are dotted with species like Mangifera indica, Tamarindus indica, Psidium guajava, Accacia arabica, etc.
Prosopis juliflora and Parthenium hysterophorus are the invading species, which are recent introductions. Prosopis juliflora growing luxuriantly in saline and polluted soils, all along the polluted streams of Nakkavagu basin (Photo 3.1 and 3.2). Parthenium hysterophorus is the major weed found everywhere.
3.3 FAUNA
Two of the major streams in Nakkavagu basin are named after a mammal and reptile, ‘Nakka’ means fox, ‘Pamula’ means ‘of snakes’ and ‘vagu’ means stream in Telugu. ‘Nakkavagu’ – ‘fox-stream’ as per the villagers this stream was habitat for foxes in the past. Similarly ‘Pamulavagu’ – ‘Stream of snakes’ was the natural habitat for snakes. Whenever Pamulavagu was is in spate, large numbers of snakes were seen everywhere, even in the nearby villages. The irrigation facilities led to growing crops like paddy, which attracts pests like rats; they in turn could have attracted snakes in large numbers, which helped in control of rats.
In the past the forests in the District were active with wild life. The fox, wolf and Jackal are not seen presently in Nakkavagu basin, as aquatic habitat and forest areas are devastated by industrial pollution in Nakkavagu basin. As per the local people’s observation the species like birds, reptiles, amphibians, pisces, insects and mammals etc. are drastically reduced or migrated elsewhere. The sparrows are seen less in numbers nowadays and their numbers have drastically reduced with increasing pollution. There is complete absence of aquatic life in the Nakkavagu. The tanks in the past might have attracted a large number and variety of migratory birds from higher latitudes in winter. Birds are an integral part of the agricultural system. Birds play an important role in the control of pests by helping the farmers from crop losses and also their excreta nourishes the fields with natural fertiliser. The fauna seen in parts of Nakkavagu basin and in the adjacent Manjira wildlife sanctuary is presented in (Table 3.2 (a) & (b)).
Table 3.2 (a)
FISHES REPTILES
– Catla
– Rohu
– Murrel
– Eel
– Paten
– Kaarugu
– Chidwa – Monitor Lizard
– Fresh water turtles
– Cobra
– Marsh Crocodiles (exclusively found in Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary)
Table 3.2 (b) Birds observed in parts of Nakkavagu basin and in the Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary.
Important Resident Birds
– Grey Herons
– Night Herons
– Pond Herons
– Purple Herons
– Purple Moor Hen
– Little Egrets
– Cattle Egrets
– Cormorants
– Coots
– King Fishers
– Green bee eater
– Red watlled lapwing
– Shriek
– Hoopoe
– Doves
– Sparrows Important Migratory Birds
– Painted Storks
– Open billed Storks
– Spoon bills
– Comb ducks
– Cotton teals
– Whistling teals
– Red crested pochards
– Common pochards
– Brahminy ducks
– Grey Pelicans
– Brown headed Gulls
– Barheaded geese
– Osprey
– Marsh Harrier
– Demoisselle Cranes
– Swallows Local Migratory Birds
– Oriental Darters
– Black Ibis
– White Ibis
– Glossy Ibis
3.4 FLORA AND FAUNA OF SURFACE WATER
In the polluted environment of streams and tanks, pisces, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, zooplankton and larva of many insects would be under severe stress, similarly there will be reduction in the wetland species along the banks – emergent macrophytes, floating macrophytes, submerged macrophytes and phytoplankton. May also lead to extinction and change in the species diversity and numbers. With the loss of aquatic life due to pollution, the birds dependent on streams and tanks for food also get affected.
Streams and tanks of Nakkavagu basin support a wide range of natural communities. Streams and tanks are important wildlife habitats and they can have economic value of fisheries too. Tanks support rich and / or characteristic plant communities, invertebrates, amphibians and birds, and may even support rare species, the seasonal tanks are less important in this regard. Habitat diversity studies are useful in measuring the quality of whole ecosystem, It is less time consuming and inexpensive.
The problems of freshwater habitats are, pollution, changes in flow regime, water depth, catchment area and reduction of habitat size. The pollution of water is the major cause of loss of biodiversity in streams and lakes. Because of industrial effluents entering into these water bodies, Nakkavagu does not support any significant life; many tanks have become dead, supporting only anaerobic life, exceptionally in some cases. Some of the tanks whose catchment area is free from industrial activity are supporting vibrant life. The relationship between diversity of species and the degree of water pollution is vice versa.
The biodiversity of some streams and tanks of Nakkavagu basin is given in (table 3.3).
Table 3.3 Biodiversity of streams and tanks.
S.No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
MACROPHYTES
1 Ceratophyllum demersum A A A A P P A A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A
2 Ipomoea aquatica A A P A P P A A P A A A P A P A P A A P A A
3 Carex species A A P A A P A A A P A A P A P A A A A P P A
4 Cyperus species A P P A A P A P A P P P P A P A P A A P P A
5 Hydrialla veritcillate A A P A P P A P A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
6 Ottella alismoides A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
7 Vallisneria spiralis A A A A P P A A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A
8 Iris pseudocorus A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
9 Juncus heterophylla A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
10 Lemna minor A A P A P P A A A P P A A A A A A A A A A A
11 Spirodela polyrhyza A A A A P P A P A P P A A A P A P A A A A A
12 Nelumbo leutea A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
13 Agrostis species A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
14 Agrostis A A A A A A A A A A A A P A P A P A A P P A
15 Eichhornia crassipes A A P A P A A A P P P P P A A A P A A A A A
16 Potamogeton perfoliatus A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
17 Potamogeton penctinatus A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
18 Potamogeton crispus A A A A A P A A A P A A A A A A A A A P A A
19 Ipomoea species A A P A P A A P P P P P P A P A A A A P P A
S.No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
20 Nymphaea species A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A A A A
21 Scirpus species A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P P A
Algae
22 Chara vulgaris A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P A A
23 Nitella gracillis A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
24 Cladophora glomerati A A P A A P A P P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
25 Spirogyra communia A A P A P P A P P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
26 Spyrogyra varians A A P A P P A P A P A P P A P A A A A P A A
27 Oscillatoria formosa A A P A P P A P P P A A P A P A P A A P P A
28 Oscillatoria limosa A A P A A A A P P P A P P A P A P A A A P A
29 Oscillatoria putrida A A P A A A A P P P P P P A P A P A A A P A
30 Hydrodictyon reticulata A A P A A P A A A P A P A A A A A A A P A A
31 Zygema species A A P A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
32 Heteropterans A P P P P P A P P P P P P A P A P A A P P A
33 Coleopterans A A P A P P A P P P P A P A A A P A A P P A
34 Cladocerans A P P A P P A A P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
35 Gastropods A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
36 Bivalves A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
37 Cyprinus carpeo A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P A A
38 Labeo rohita A A A A P P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
39 Labeo bata A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
40 Clarias species A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
41 Channa punctatus A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
Biological Score(Species Present) 0 3 26 1 15 32 0 12 11 24 11 8 26 0 14 0 14 0 0 28 13 0
Biological Score (%) 0 7 63 2.5 37 78 0 29 27 59 27 20 63 0 34 0 34 0 0 68 32 0
(Source: CPCB report (1998))
A – Absent, P – Present
Index
Lakes River or stream
1 Khazipally cheru 14 Bollaram near Sultanpur
2 Gandigudem cheru 15 Isukavagu U/s CETP
3 Nagula cheru 16 Isukavagu D/s outfall near Pocharam
4 Krishnareddipet cheru 17 Isukavagu at bridge
5 Mukta kunta 18 Nakkavagu at Bachuguda after confluence with Pamulavagu
6 Aminpur cheru 19 Nakkavagu at Sultanpur bridge
7 Bollaram cheru 20 Manjira U/s Nakkavagu confluence
8 Khazipalli village cheru 21 Manjira D/s Nakkavagu confluence
9 Saka cheru 22 Nakkavagu before Manjira confluence
10 Mutangi cheru
11 Isnapur cheru
12 Chitkul cheru
13 Lakdaram cheru
(Note: The biological score in percentage is directly related to the degree of toxicity of the surface waters. Zero score percentage indicates highly toxic and almost devoid of any life.)
EIA OF POLLUTED WATER 