Developing Database of Native Tree/Shrub Species of Different Agro-Climatic Zones of India

SI REPORT

DEVELOPING DATABASE OF NATIVE TREE/SHRUB SPECIES OF DIFFERENT AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA

(Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry Management)

Shweta

(PFM 2015-2017)

DECLARATION BY ORGANIZATION

This is to certify that the project report entitled -“Developing database of native tree/shrub species of agro-climatic zones of India “done by Shweta (PFM 2015-17) for National Green Highways Mission – National Highway Authority of India is an original work. This has been carried out as summer internship under my guidance for partial fulfillment of Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management at Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.

Place: New DelhiReporting Officer

Date: organization name & seal

DECLARATION BY STUDENT

I, Shweta, hereby declare that the project report entitled “Developing database of native tree/shrub species of agro-climatic zones of India is an original work. The contents of the project report have not been published before and reflect the work done by me during my Summer Internship of the Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management at Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal from 04April 2016 to 10 June 2016 with National Green Highways Mission – National Highway Authority of India.

Place:New DelhiStudent’s Name and Batch

Date: Shweta

PFM 2015-17

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LIST OF ACRONYMS

GLOSSARY

LIST OF FIGURES

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 Vision

1.1.1.1 Objectives

1.2 Project Title

1.2.1Project Background

1.2.2 About the Project

1.2.3 Project Objectives

1.2.4 Project Design

1.2.5 Project Boundary

Rationale:

Timeline of the Project Work

Chapter 2 -Literature Review

2.2CASE STUDY: Role of Trees in Mitigating the Problem of Dust Pollution in Stone Quarries- A Case Study in Bangalore and Kolar Districts

CHAPTER 3-APPROACH &METHODOLOGY

3.1 Plantation Species Matrix:

3.2 Principles, Criteria and Measures:

3.3 Criteria for selection of tree/shrub species

3.4 Environmental Conservation

3.5 Principle 2- Economic Viability

3.6 Principle 3-Aesthetic & Road Safety

3.7 Assigning Weightages: Methodology Adopted

3.8 Data analysis:

Chapter -4 Results and Findings

CONCLUSION

RECOMMENDATIONS

ANNEXURE-I

Bibliography

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Dissertation Title:Developing database of native tree/shrub species of different agro-climatic zones of India.

Reporting Officer:Mr.Anuj Sharma

Project Guide:Mr. Anuj Sharma

Student’s Name: Shweta

PFM No.:1538

India is a country blessed with varied range of agro-climatic conditions with richness of vegetation. This project work is an extensive collection of the database in order to have a diversity which could be replicated in the plantation arena throughout the stretch of national highways keeping in mind the ecological conservation, economic sustainability and aesthetics and road safety. A set of principles and criterion has been designed as an evaluation tool to know and document the importance of each principle and criterion under it. As a part of the project work various literature reviews was done and accordingly database was prepared.

To make the tool more robust, a questionnaire was designed and circulated across the tables of different stakeholders. The data collected was analyzed to arrive at the weightage that each component of the evaluation tool holds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Dr.A.K.Bhattacharya and Mr.Anuj Sharma for giving me this opportunity to work in this project.

I offer my great sense of gratitude and enormous debt to Mr.Anuj Sharma for his constant guidance, support and his valuable time. Without his support I would not have been able to give my contribution to this project.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Rakesh Kanyal to guide me at every step of the project and tell my mistakes for furtherimprovement.

I would like to express my warm thanks to Mrs. Induja Rai and Sudhish Kumar Yadav for their guidance.

I would also like to offer special thanks to Miss Jensu John for her support and motivation.

I would also like to express my deep thanks to Dr.Prabhudeva Ajjapullavar, Mr.Avinash Kumar, Miss Pooja Jha, Mr.Arvind Bijalwan and Miss Akansha Mandani for their guidance and support.

I would also like to extend special thanks to all my friends who helped me during the project directly or indirectly.

I would also like to offer special thanks to SI Committee, IIFM for giving me the opportunity to work with the organization.

I would also like to thank all the respondents who filled my questionnaire patiently and gave their unbiased responses and valuable time.

Last but not the least, I feel indebted to all those people in the organization who have helped directly or indirectly in the successful completion of this project.

LIST OF ACRONYMS

MoRTHMinistry of Road Transport & Highways

NHAINational Highway Authority of India

NGHM National Green Highway Mission

NHIDCL National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited

PWDs Public Work Departments

RDC Regional Development Council

BRO Border Roads Organisation

RETRare Endangered Threatened

NTFP Non Timber Forest Product

GHG Green House Gases

UVUltra – violet

TPCTotal Project Cost

HF Hydrogen Fluoride

GLOSSARY

Native plants: Native plantsare plants indigenousto a given area in geologic time. This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally, or existed for many years in an area (trees, flowers, grasses and other plants).

Green House Gases (GHG): Agreenhouse gasis any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere,greenhouse gasesare responsible for the green houseeffect, which ultimately leads to global warming.

Ultra-violet:Ultraviolet(UV) light is an electromagnetic radiation with awavelength from 10nm (30PHz) to 380nm (750THz), shorter than that of visible lightbut longer thanX-rays. UV radiation is present insunlight, and also produced by electric arcsand specialized lights such as mercury-vapor lamps, tanning lampsandblack lights.

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM): Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is finely divided solids or liquids that may be dispersed through the air from combustion processes, industrial activities or natural source.

Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP):Non-timber forest products(NTFPs) are anyproductor service other thantimber that is produced inforests. They include fruits and nuts, vegetables, fish and game, medicinal plants, resins, essences and a range of barks and fibres such as bamboo, rattans, and a host of other palms and grasses.

Evergreen:Inbotany, anevergreenis a plant that has leaves throughout the year, always green.

Deciduous:Deciduousmeans "falling off at maturity"or "tending to fall off",and it is typically used in order o refer to treesor shrubs that lose theirleaves seasonally (most commonly during autumn ) and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruitwhen ripe.

Semi-deciduous:Semi-deciduousorsemi-evergreenis a botanical term which refers toplantsthat lose theirfoliagefor a very short period, when old leaves fall off and new foliage growth is starting

Stomatal Index: Stomatal index is the percentage which the number of stomata forms to the total number of epidermal cells, each stomata being counted as one cell.

Simple leaf:A leaf whose blade is not divided to the midrib even though lobe.

Compound leaf: Aleafcomposedofanumberofleafletsonacommonstalk,arranged eitherpalmately,asthefingersofahand,orpinnately,astheleafletsofafern;theleafletsthemselvesmaybecompound.

Phyllotaxy:Thearrangementoftheleavesonthestemofaplant.

Leaf texture: Texture is the perceived surface quality (regarding size and shape, not feel) of a plant part via-a-vissurrounding plants. The texture of a specimen's leaves or blooms can be perceived as coarse, medium or fine.

Stratified sampling:Stratified sampling is a probability sampling technique wherein the researcher divides the entire population into different subgroups or strata, then randomly selects the final subjects proportionally from the differentstrata.

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Plants arranged according to the weight of pollutants deposited in descending order

Table 2: Leaf size classes

Table 3:A holistic presentation of all the principles and criterion taken under it.

Table 4: Table showing 15 Agro-Climatic Zones of India categorized by the Planning Commission and the distribution range of states as per the agro –climatic zones

Table 5: Table showing classification of the trees

Table 6: Table showing classification of the shrubs

Table 7: Table showing limits of the leaf size classes

Table 8: Table showing category of leaf area based upon leaf size classes

Table 9: Relationship between leaf area, number of stomata and stomatal index

Table 10: Operational model for Plantation Species Matrix

Table 11: Table showing the category of the strata and sample size

Table 12: Working of scores for Government agencies

Table 13: Calculating the total score

Table 14: Calculating scores for each criterion under Principle -Economic conservation

Table 15: Calculating scores for each criterion under Principle- Aesthetic

Table 16: Calculating scores for each criterion under Principle- Ecological conservation

Table 17: Calculating scores for each criterion under Principle- Ecological conservation

Table 18: Calculating scores for each criterion under Principle- Economic sustainability

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure1: Interrelationship between Principle and Criteria choosen for Principle 1

Figure 2: Interrelationship between Principle and Criteria choosen for Principle 2

Figure 3: Interrelationship between Principle and Criteria choosen for Principle 3

Figure 4: A holistic presentation showing interrelationship between different principles of Plantation Species Matrix

Figure 5: Figure showing clear picture representing agro-climatic zones of India

Figure 6: Figure showing spreading canopy

Figure 7: Figure showing round canopy

Figure 8: Figure showing oblong canopy

Figure 9: Figure showing flat crown canopy

Figure 10: Figure showing conical canopy

Figure 11: Figure showing holistic presentation of criterion under Environment conservation

Figure 12: Figure showing holistic presentation of criterion under principle Economic sustainability

Figure 13: Figure showing holistic presentation of criterion under principle Aesthetics & Road Safety

Figure 14: A holistic presentation of the research design carried out as Approach & Methodology for the database preparation

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1About National Green Highway Mission:

Highways are acknowledged as the growth engine of economic development. Interstate road infrastructure facilitates trade, promotes tourism and bridges the geographical divide amongst cities. Many a times this development comes at the cost of disturbance to ecological balance. Clearance of forest and tree felling activities are inevitable consequences of highways development. For Highway projects to be environmentally sustainable, it is necessary that the natural resources lost in the process of Highway construction are restored in one way or the other. This requires that ecological needs are taken into consideration from the stage of project planning and designing to its execution. The Highways developed as green corridors not only sustain biodiversity and regenerate natural habitat but also benefit all stakeholders, from road users to local communities and spur eco-friendly economic growth and development. India has a total 46.99 lakh km of road length and out of which over 96214 kms are National Highways, accounting 2% of total road length. The Highways carry about 40% of the traffic load. The situation becomes worse and alarming with incessant movement of vehicles on these roads contributing further in release of Green house gases and other suspended particulate matters. High level of Green house gases and dust particles in air pose an imminent health threat for the commuters and also endangers the biodiversity of the region. Under such circumstances it is important to take proactive measure for pollution containment on highways. Green corridor works as vegetation buffer around the pollution source and helps in absorption of GHG gases and collection of dust particles. It also reduces noise pollution and provides much needed shade on glairing hot roads during summer. Plantations arrest soil erosion at the embankment slopes and prevent glare from the headlight of incoming vehicles and moderate the effect of wind and incoming radiation. Realizing the importance of green corridors in National Highways development, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has unveiled Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy - 2015 .Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has appointed National Green Highways Mission - NHAI as the nodal agency for overall planning, implementation and monitoring of Green Highways projects.Under this policy, one per cent of the civil cost or 1% of the Total Project Cost (TPC) would be spent as “Green Fund” for national highway developmental projectsfor planting of trees in a planned manner with quality plantation and maintenance, covering both existing NH sections and new routes that would be added to the network.

As its first step National Green Highways Mission (NGHM) has decided to frame comprehensive guidelines for implementation of Green Highways Projects. The Guidelines for Green Highways Project will assist MoRTH/NHAI officials, plantation agencies and other stakeholders in effective implementation and monitoring of plantation, transplantation, beautification, and landscaping and maintenance activities along National Highways. These guidelines will be applicable for all upcoming and developed National Highways regardless of their administrative agency (MoRTH, NHAI, NHIDCL, State PWDs, RDC, BRO etc).

The policy, which is responsible for making plantation along the highways can become and prove as an integral part of highway construction and can bring India's 100,000-km long national highway network and 1.5 lakh km state highways under green cover, and help the country inch closer towards its target of having 30 per cent of its land mass under green cover.

1.1.1 Vision:

"To develop eco friendly National Highways with participation of the community, farmers, NGOs, private sector, institutions, government agencies and the Forest Department for economic growth and development in a sustainable manner."

1.1.1.1 Objectives:

 Develop a systematic framework for Integrated Green Corridor Developmentalong National Highways

 Build resilient ecosystem "Green Corridors" along National Highways for –

Combating global warming and climate change effects.

Optimum GHG sequestration.

Ex situconservation of native RET species of the region.

Make Green Highways Mission self sustainable.

Develop uniquegreen corridors with aesthetic appeal.

Reduce the impacts of air & noise pollution and dust.

Provide shade on glaring hot roads during summers.

Reduce soil erosion at embankment slopes.

Reduce the effects of wind and incoming UV radiation.

1.2 Project Title: Developing database of native tree/shrub species of different agro-climatic zones of India.

1.2.1Project Background:

For Green Corridor development selection of tree/shrub species are based on its ecological importance, economic value and suitability for roadside plantation. The focus is on planting native tree/shrubs species with ecological importance contributing towards higher GHG sequestration, soil-water conservation, nitrogen fixation etc. Tree/shrubs species with economic benefits such as fuel, fodder, flower, fruit and timber value would also be given due consideration.

Given that green corridors have to face stressed climatic conditions with intake of high level of gaseous emission (SO2, CO, CO2 & NOX) and Suspended Particulate Matters), it is important to select the species which are tolerant and at the same time capable in effective mitigation of pollution. Plantation Species Matrix is a framework to facilitate National Green Highways Mission - NHAI in selection of suitable tree/shrub species for green corridor development. The first step towards building Plantation Species Matrix is collection and documentation of native tree/shrub species of all agro-climatic zones of India. The information will be valuable for conducting further analysis on their feasibility for roadside plantations.

1.2.2 About the Project:

National Highways account for only 2 % of the paved roads but still carries 40 % of the automobile traffic which signifies its importance in Indian economy and also is a cause of concern from environmental perspective.

The incessant movement of vehicles on the highways emitting harmful gaseous & solid pollutants is a major source of air and noise pollution. Green corridors/belts are the effective means of pollution control. Green corridors work as vegetation buffer around the pollution source and helps in absorption GHG gases and collection of dust particles. Roads can form the infrastructural backbone of green corridors if they are innovatively enriched with plants that serve ecological functions. Some of these ecosystem services include enlarging the effective habitats for birds, small mammals, butterflies, bats, dragonflies, etc. through forming linkages between core biodiversity areas. Increasing the tree canopy cover of roads can also contribute to the reduction of ambient temperatures, reduction of noise, decrease of pollution, and improvement of the aesthetics of the environment.

It has to be noted and thought seriouslythat Green can renew life.The “green” of the corridor is not only about the grass and the trees. It is also about the city dwellers seeking an oasis: a safer, cleaner, and happier space for their everyday lives.

But people don’t come spontaneously to a space that has been abandoned and unsafe for decades. Through its design, the corridor would inspire life to thrive in it, with culture, sports and businesses flourishing inside and around it, as engines for its sustainability.

Green can lead to greener -The corridor can become a proxy of a better city within the city. Its ripple effect candemonstrate how public spaces may be put to better use and break negative perceptions about pedestrian streets, bike lanes and public transportation area.

Green is the futureandmore than ever, green is the color of hope and it’s high time that we should all unite hands and think about sustainability.