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occur. The location of such areas needs the rescue operations during the construction
careful consideration, as these will be utilised and operation phases. The data would be very
as monitoring sites during project helpful in predicting human-wildlife conflict in
construction and operation phases. the future in the surrounding communities.
Biological data for the WMP study may be Rapid assessment is a common method used
obtained from primary and secondary in many biodiversity assessments (e.g., large
sources. Sources for secondary data may be mammals, small mammals, birds and
obtained from public and private agencies herpetofauna). It is a method of collecting
and institutions. The availability and reliability wildlife data by direct and indirect
of such data need to be recognised before observation. Direct observation includes using
further primary or baseline studies are a camera trap for large mammals, cage traps
undertaken. for small mammals, harp trap for bats, mist
net for bats and birds, and pitfall for reptiles
These baseline data are typically collected in and amphibians. The indirect observation is
the following biological and ecological based on findings such as dung, footprints,
environment components: sounds, calls, scratches, fur, feathers, horn,
carcasses, nests, and saltlicks.
i. Terrestrial habitats including elements of
its flora and fauna. Significant Habitat for Wildlife
ii. Aquatic habitats (freshwater) include
elements of its flora and fauna It is crucial to identify and describe the most
(particularly fish and shellfish). significant habitat and other possible
iii. Wetlands/estuarine habitats include conservation areas, including within the
elements of its flora and fauna. construction area and its surrounding.
Habitats are complex, with particular flora and
Three modes of ecological description based fauna ranging from the highland areas (Hill
on habitat priority and techniques determine Forest) to the lowlands (e.g., Peat Swamp
the needs for baseline data collection: Forest or Mangrove Swamp Forest). All these
habitats are considered important for wildlife
i. A quantitative description of the faunal and require further description and
and floral communities based on standard management consideration. Identifying these
field sampling techniques. significant habitats is crucial before
ii. A qualitative description of the faunal and conducting wildlife monitoring and
floral communities based on field survey management strategies.
gathered by secondary data.
iii. An outline description of the habitat in Wildlife Movements and
locations where ecological issues are not Home Range
significant.
A detailed study of the diversity and
In meeting with the relevant agencies and distribution of medium and large-sized
authorities, habitat management priorities are mammals is important both at the earlier
determined by DOE on a state-by-state basis. stage and after the construction (in the
The following issues may be important operational stage). This is crucial to
elements of habitat management priorities: understand the fundamental impacts of
project construction on wildlife.
i. Significance of a habitat to ecological
processes that support sustainable It is critical to see the changes of wildlife
development. movement and perhaps a new home range
ii. Biodiversity richness of a habitat. before and after the construction. The
iii. The rarity of habitat is based on the level information from GPS satellite collars that are
of analysis (at the national/regional/local fitted on wildlife (e.g., elephants, sun bears
level). and barking deer) can help to understand
iv. Local issues. their movement pattern in the wild, for
example, how they move and spread from the
Wildlife Species and Distribution impacted areas to other safe areas. This
finding could also reveal and alert the
A Wildlife survey is a method to recognise the movement of wildlife toward adjacent
wildlife species’ presence at the proposed plantations or villages, resulting in
project and its surrounding areas. human-wildlife conflict.
Understanding the wildlife’s current status
and distribution is important before running
26 GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT PLAN (WMP) IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
