Project duration: 2005 - 2006

The Sindhudurg region in the state of Maharashtra, India is rich in natural resources and is known for its biodiversity that sustains a wide range of flora and fauna. Site surveys indicate that the open cast type iron mining activity of the past as well as continuing open cast mining activity in the immediate surroundings has done irreparable damage to the environment. Overall the ecology on the site has been severely impacted due to the mining activity. Amidst the socio-economic gains, concerns about agriculture, ecology, human health seem to have taken a back seat.

The primary objective of this project was to generate the baseline data for the site under consideration. Baseline data generation forms a part of the Environmental Impact Assessment study, which helps to evaluate the predicted impacts on the various environmental attributes in the study area by using scientifically developed and widely accepted environmental impact assessment methodologies. This further helps in preparing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlining the measures for improving the environmental quality and scope for future expansions for environmentally sustainable development. Baseline environmental study also helps to identify the critical environmental attributes, which are required to be monitored after implementation of the project.

This project report illustrates the descriptions of the existing environmental status of the study area with reference to the prominent environmental attributes. The existing environmental setting is considered to adjudge the baseline conditions which are described with respect to climate, hydro-geological aspects, atmospheric conditions, water quality, soil quality, vegetation pattern, ecology, socio-economic profile, land use, etc.