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layers, stream, forest floor, water holes and Table 4.5. Field study design in
muddy areas, caves, trees, bamboo, logs, etc. surveying herpetofauna.
Reptiles consist of three main orders;
METHOD
Squamata (snake and lizards), which are
mainly found in arboreal, terrestrial,
freshwater and marine; Testudines (turtles
and tortoise), which are mainly in forests, Active searching

bushes, trees, freshwater and marine; and
Crocodilia (crocodiles) are mainly found in
waterbodies such as riparians, lakes, rivers, CATEGORY
streams and marines.

4.5.1 Field Methods

Herpetofauna
Due to each species of herpetofauna
having specific habits and a variety of
habitats, the census or study of these species CRITERIA

must be specifically designed to suit the need
of study. Field sampling for herpetofauna
includes active searching and observation for
both amphibians and reptiles, pitfall trapping • • Must cover as much available wildlife habitat
for amphibians, cage trapping for turtles, and as possible and represent mixed wildlife habitats.
mist net for snakes. • • Transect length is based on project area (ha):
• • Consultants can propose the length of
4.5.2 Field Study Design transect they plan to conduct.

• • Must cover waterbody areas such as
Active searching is the most common riparian/lake/stream/waterholes/ swamp/ muddy.

method to sample both amphibians and • • Must conduct day and night.
reptiles using bare hands, scoop net, snake • • Minimum of three visits per habitat type.
tong and snake catcher. Passive methods such
as using fenced-pitfall trap, cage trap and mist
net to sample particular species can also be
applied. A detailed field study design for 4.6 HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
herpetofauna is described in Table 4.5.
Human-wildlife conflict is defined as
any interaction between humans and wildlife
that negatively impacts human social,
economic or cultural life, the conservation of
wildlife populations or the environment.
Conflict wildlife species are listed in the
Wildlife Conservation Act, 2010.

22 GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON WILDLIFE
IMPACT STUDY FOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)