Environmental Management Plan for Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & COORDINATION ORGANISATION (EPCO), BHOPAL

Biosphere Reserve An International designation made for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal / marine ecosystems or a combination thereof. To deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values. Internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme after receiving consent of the participating country.

Biosphere Reserve of India

Silent Features of the PBR Area Date of Notification: 3 rd March 1999 Location  Longitude:22  11’ - 22  56’N  Latitude:77  47’ - 78  52’E Area : sq. km. Districts Falling in PBR : Parts of Hoshangabad (60 %), Chhindwara (29 %) & Betul (11 %) Area on SOI toposheets : 55 F & 55 J on 1:250,000 and Parts of 16 toposheets on 1:50,000 scale) Total No of Tehsils: 10

Climate  Typical monsoonic with three distinct seasons  Variation in climate viz. Pachmarhi cool in summer & higher rainfall while lowland in Narmada basin is hot in summer with less rainfall Conservation history  Rock Painting indicate people living 10,000 years ago  Scientific management of Indian forest started in 1862 by demarcating Bori Reserve forest resulting in establishment of forest Deptt in India  The system of fire line to control fire first time in Bori

Wildlife Conservation Units  Bori Sanctuary sq km  Satpura National Park sq km  Pachmarhi Sanctuary sq km  Total Protected (Project Tiger) Area sq km Zonation  Core zone sq km  Buffer zone sq km Altitude above msl

Objectives Preparation of Environmental Management Plan for Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve  To evaluate present status of the area and identifying the critical zones.  To understand the relationship between local people, forest, wildlife and assessment of demand and supply like fuel wood, fodder etc.  To inventories flora, fauna and natural resources  To understand the present status of tourism and its supportive activities  To assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts  To identifying the incompatible land use, the inadequacies of infrastructure facilities  Assessment of environmentally fragile / sensitivity of the area vis-a-vis development need.

Methodology The main activities involved in study are: Collection of Data and Information Preparation of Thematic Maps Environmental Quality Mapping Digitization of maps and GIS services Preparation of EMP Preparation of Draft Report Preparation of Final Report

Scale of the Work Regional EMP of Pachmarhi BR 1:250,000 scale Parts of 55 J & 55 F

Limitation of work ]Thematic mapping carried out on scale 1:250,000 Maps ]Depiction of all micro-level details may not possible. ]Most of the maps are based on the secondary data ]Non availability of relevant data limit the contents of the maps

Thematic Mapping Name of the mapImportant Features/Information on the Base Map River/ water bodies, railway lines, major roads, administrative boundaries, names of major settlements and other landmarks Village ref Map Location of villages, tehsil boundary, river, major road, railway lines Meteorological Map Rainfall, wind, humidity, temperature Geomorphic Map Area with high /medium and low features Drainage Map Natural drains, rivers, springs, canal system, dams barrage / reservoirs etc. Soil Map Types, depth Geological Map Geology, minerals, fossil evidence/ fossil strata, area of geological and scientific interest, stratigraphic units Land use Map River/water bodies, forest cover, railway lines major roads, settlements, industrial area, recreational areas, open spaces/ agricultural areas, mining area, any other features important to the region

Wastelands Map Area with exhausted mines, gully and ravines, land with or without scrub, overburden dumps and other categories of wasteland Forest Cover Map Close, open, degraded, forest blank, special protected area, boundaries of RF & PF. Forest Type Map Species composition Agriculture use & Types/ Distribution of crops, high, medium and low crop Capability Map density area, irrigated and non irrigated area, fruit crop areas, nurseries, cereals /non cereals / vegetables crop, cash crop area, Rabi & Kharif area Biodiversity Sensitive Distribution of wild life, fishes / crocodiles /birds / butter Area Map flies, endangered plant & animal species, endangered habitats, medicinal plants, gene pool reserve area. Tourism Map Fair & festivals, National parks, Sanctuary, tourist centre, centre for recreation places, centre of religious interest, caves, archeological sites, hill resorts

Socio-economic Map Showing demographic trends, Economic Critical areas (backward areas), status of health, education (school & literacy ), communication, road, market, house hold industries, animal health care, minor forest produces etc., fair & festivals Environmental resources Reserve forests, Protected forests, degraded forest Map & scrubs, National parks, Sanctuaries, wet lands, water bodies and, areas with established specialized skills (handicraft, weaving etc.),natural heritage sites, Archeological sites Environmental pressure Animal population pressure, demand and supply area Map of natural resources like fuel, grazing land areas, lantana and other weed effected areas, high, medium and low grazing area, flood prone areas, military areas(protected areas), forest fire, soil erosion, human intervention area (water logged area)

Air Quality Map Location of monitoring stations, air quality zones (showing areas with very good, good, medium polluted and highly polluted air quality) Surface water flow Map Area with high, medium and low flow Surface water use Map Area with high, medium and low use, Surface water quality Map Location of monitoring stations, polluted watersheds of river / drains/ water bodies Ground water Resource Map Zoning showing different resources level Ground water use Map Areas having high, medium and low use of ground water Ground water quality Map Location of monitoring stations, Areas having high, medium and low quality of ground water contamination areas