Review: Ecological Assessment of the Proposed Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Wildlife Institute of India, 1998

Overall this appears to be a very competent assessment of the potential ecological impacts of the proposed Mumbai-Pune Expressway proposal carried out by an organisation that clearly has significant relevant expertise.

Description of project & alternatives
The report provides a good description of the proposed project and helpful information about the history of the project, including the alternative corridors and detailed routes considered and rationale for selection of the recommended alignment.

Description of environment likely to be affected
In Section 4.1, the report presents a good description of the biodiversity along and in the vicinity of the recommended alignment. A range of levels of biodiversity are addressed – biogeographical region, ecosystem, habitat & species – and key groups of species covered. In line with international good practice this description has been based on existing information supplemented by new work carried out specifically for this study (the rapid assessment & consultations with stakeholders). The criteria which have been used to evaluate the conservation value of the study area are widely used & accepted and well explained. The report also recognises the important linkages between biodiversity & social/human impacts related to use of biological resources.

In carrying out ecological assessments generally there is an inherent tension between the ideal level of information about the study area needed to inform the assessment and the information which it is practical to collect given time & resource constraints for particular projects. However, in my view the description set out in this report achieves a good balance commensurate with the level of design being taken ie alignment selection/confirmation.

The summary of existing threats of human interference (section 4.1.6) is valuable – highlighting existing trends. As are the maps in section 4.2 highlighting ecological resources of particular importance along the proposed alignment.

Evaluation of options & mitigation measures
The report contains a good assessment and discussion of the likely implications of the development and mitigation options being considered and the current proposals to created protected areas (in Section 4.3).

The mitigation measures set out in section 5 are clear and appropriate:

– Reconsideration of the proposed alignment in 2 areas of particular interest (the Lonavale lake bed and Ghat section)
– Development of a comprehensive utilisation/ disposal plan for excavated material from tunnelling
– Protection of the Borghat forest & establishment of protected areas
– Further targeted survey work/studies (proposed in Appendix XIII)
– Development of an Environmental Management Plan.
– Provisions for environmental monitoring

As the report notes, the preparation of an Environmental Management Plan should be a particularly useful tool to help manage construction.

Presentation
The presentation of the report is very good & it is written in an accessible style. Inclusion of the photographs and maps is extremely helpful to promote understanding of the ecological resources and conditions along the alignment.
 

Helen Byron
10 September 2004

Helen Byron, Helen.Byron@rspb.org.uk
Chair, CBBIA-IAIA Steering Committee and
Chair Biodiversity and Ecology section, International Association of Impact Assessment