Monday, June 30, 2008

Endemic, rare and endangered plant species

To

The Divisional Forest Officer (FAC), Wildlife Management Division, Tirupati


 

From                         


1.
Prof. G. Sudarsanam, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, A.P.

2.
Dr.M.Rajasekhar, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, A.P.

Sir,

Sub: Inspection report – FCA division of 80 Ha. of Forest land in favour TTD - Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara project – Laying and testing BWSE / MSGravity / Pumping line along with service road - Balancing reservoir – Felling permission to the Red sanders trees – Reg.

Ref: Your letter Rc No. 1391/2007/To: Dated 06-06-08

--------


 

    With reference to your above cited letter, we the under singed along with TTD concerned Engineers visited Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara project site on 25th June 2008.. We returned from this project site by trekking via the proposed pipe line marked route up to Akasaganga dam. While trekking we have closely observed the existing flora and fauna. We place before the Divisional Forest Officer the following report on the feasibility of laying pipe line and 23 meter width road to the balancing reservoir from Tirumala.

    The proposed pipe line route consists of the most endemic, rare and endangered plant species like Cycas beddomei (CYCADACEAE) is the only member of the genus Cycas listed in CITES Appendix 1, and was accorded a status of Critically endangered by the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants category E. IUCN (1994) &  Red List of Threatened Species 2007 IUCN ; Pimpinella tirupatiensis (Apiaceae) ENDANGERED (CAMP., A.P., 2001). Terminalia pallida (COMBRETACEAE) LN : TELLA KARAKA) ENDANGERED (GLOBALLY, CAMP., A.P., 2001); Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. ( Family : Fabaceae) (Red Sanders)
ENDANGERED (CAMP., A.P., 2001).; and Syzygium alternifolium (MYRTACEAE) ENDANGERED (GLOBALLY, CAMP., A.P., 2001) and numerous medicinal plants & Fern plants were distributed in good numbers in the proposed route area.

    Secondly a few rock boulders which are habitat of scheduled 1 lizards namely Golden geckos (Calodactylodes
aureus) were observed and are video filmed. There are evidences of presence of excreta of wild dogs and pugmarks of Sambars also.

    Thus this area is enriched with undisturbed biodiversity. Another important point is, it is a paradise for mountain trekkers in view of natural, scenic and aesthetic value. In the above context we do not recommend laying a 23 meter expensive road for the sake of pipe line. Instead we recommend the laying of only pipe line without disturbing the flora and fauna with conditional development and maintain these endemic plants conservation park near dam site. However, we suggest a trekkable and walk able pathway for maintenance of pipe line. This idea was mooted as there is already a previous case (precedent) of existence of pipe line from Srinivasa Mangapuram to Tirumuala with balancing reservoirs pumping Kalyani dam water along pilgrim trekking route to Tirumala. Similar system can also be adapted for laying pipe line in the proposed area with least damage to biodiversity.

    Alternatively, pipe line can also be layed in the already existing motorable road from Dharmagiri to Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara. The expenditure for laying the supposed objectionable 23 meter road can be utilized for expenditure towards pumping water as done in the case of Kalyani dam reservoir water pumped from Srinivasa mangapuram to Tirumala, which is at higher altitude compared to much lesser altitude of the proposed pipe line route we trekked.

We thank for your communication and asking for our inspection report.

                With regards

Date: 27-06-08             Yours Faithfully


 


 

(M.Rajasekhar) (G.Sudarsanam)


 


Copy to: Chief Conservator of the forests, Wildlife Management Circle, Tirupati.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON

MEDICINAL PLANTS & HERBAL PRODUCTS

7th to 9th March 2008 at S.V. University, Tirupati-A.P. India.

(Please Return this Form to ismphp@gmail.com by January 31, 2008)