Note on Bauxite Mining in Orissa: Report on Flora, Fauna, and impact on Tribal

population

The supreme Court of India in their order dated 06.09.2007 in IA No. 1324 and 1474 in
Writ Petition (Civil) no. 202 of 1995 have sought the following additional information:-

“We see that in the Districts of Koraput and Kalahandi of Orissa state areas in the state

of Orissa particularly in these two districts. We find that large members of applications

are pending for mining licenses. Some of them relate to the Orissa Mining Corporation.

Most of these mining Bauxite deposits are in forests. We do not have any comprehensive

report regarding the extent of forest lands involved in these mining areas and we would

like to have a report regarding the number of applications pending, the impact on the

forests if these applications are allowed and about the effect on the Tribal life habitation

and ecology in all these Bauxite deposit areas. We would also like to seek the views of

the MOEF regarding the safeguards which are to be imposed while giving the mining

licenses in any of these areas.

Learned SG would file a report within a period of four weeks”

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The extent of the proposed Mining Leases and the forest land likely to get involved in

these Mining Operations for Bauxite in Kalahandi and Koraput Districts is depicted in the

table given below:

(A) Total geographical area of both 16,727 sq Kms

kalahandi and Koraput district
Total forest area in both the districts 4417.54 Sq Kms
Forest area as a percentage of total 26.41%
geographical area
(B) Total area under bauxite mining 141.08Sq Kms
leases proposed ML/Pls in both
districts
Total are under Bauxite mining 0.84%
lease/ proposed ML/PLs as a
percentage of total geographical area
(C) Fprest area involved in bauxite 67.12 Sq Kms
mining leases/ proposed ML/PLs in
both districts
Forest area involved in bauxite 1.52%
mining lease as a percentage of total
forest area of both districts
Forest area involved in bauxite 0.40%
mining leases as a percentage of
total geographical area of both the
districts.

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There are ten bauxite deposits in Kalahandi and Koraput districts of Orissa as under:-

Koraput district:-

1. Panchapatmali
2. Pottangi
3. Balada
4. Maliparbat
5. Kodingamali

Kalahandi district:-

1. Karlapat
2. Lanjigarh
3. Sijimali
4. Kuturmali
5. Krishunmali

The State Government of Orissa has informed that out of the above ten bauxite deposits,
Mining Leases have been granted in respect of two deposits. Panchatmali deposit in
Koraput district is under operation by NALCO, a Government of India undertaking since
1986. Maliparbat deposit in Koraput district has been granted in favour of HINDALCO.
In respect of two more deposits, namely Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district and Kodingamali
in Koraput district, approval for grant of mining lease has been received from
Government of India under MMDR Act in favour of Orissa Mining Corporation.
Lanjigarh deposit has been tied up for Vedant Alumina Limited (VAL) project at
Lanjigarh and Kodingmali has been tied up for Aditya Alumina Project of HINDALCO
in Koraput District. Mining Lease grant order for these two deposits are pending for want
of Forest clearance. In respect of the balance six deposits, there are 27 Prospecting Lease
(PL) applications and 53 Mining Lease (ML) applications were pending at Government
of Orissa level for security and recommendation under MMDR Act.

Satellite imagery pictures using IRS ID-LISS III from M/s Orissa Remote Sensing
Application Centre have been used for assessing the forest cover on the bauxite deposits

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followed with field observations. Scientific data of two decades is also available in case
of Nalco. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) Ranchi has conducted
studies at Lanjigarh and submitted it’s report to Government of India, which has already
been placed before the Hon’ble apex court. Impact analysis has been done on the basis of
the above studies, available data and field observations. A brief note indicating the
location, status of flora and fauna, tribal habitation and water regime etc of each bauxite
deposit of Koraput and Kalahandi districts of Orissa is furnished at Annexure –I.

The State Government has also indicated that the forest area involved for bauxite mining
leases / proposed ML/PLs in the districts of Koraput and Kalahandi is 1.52% of the total
forest area of both the districts and 0.40% of the total geographical area of both the
districts. It may be mentioned here that so far a total area of about 246 ha. Of forest land
only has been diverted for 11 development projects in Kalahandi district where the
present Alumina Refinery Project is under implementation. Thus the total forest area
diverted for mining purpose in Kalahandi district is only 0.002% of the total forest area of
the district. If the total forest area required for Bauxite Mining component of the Project
were to be compared with the total forest area of the district, it works out to only 0.26%.
(A) IMPACT OF BAUXITE MINING OF THE FLORA

The State Government has informed that all the bauxite deposits occurring in the districts
of Kalahandi and Koraptu are located on plateau tops with elevation varying between
1000-1300 Mtrs with practically no vegetation / scanty vegetation on the mineralised
zones. Therefore, bauxite mining in these plateaus will have negligible impact on the
vegetation.

Once the permission to undertake mining operations is granted in these forest areas,
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, equivalent non forest area will be taken up for
compensatory afforestation and will be declared as “protected forest”. This afforestation
activity will ensure a stretch of green cover of indigenous, desired, fruit bearing and small
timber species as per the choice of the local population.

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IN addition, these mineral bearing areas having no vegetation will be taken up for
reclamation after mining as per the provisions of MMDR Act which will increase the
forest cover in the district and enhance the quality of the forests. The biological
reclamation of the mined out areas with suitable indigenous species will provide lielihood
support to the tribal while ensuring a better forest cover.

The monitoring of such compensatory afforestation programme and reclamation of the

mined out areas shall be done as per the provisions of FC Act guidelines. In addition, the
State Government / User Agency will abide by any other direction of the Hon’ble Court.

The experience of bauxite mining at NALCO for last 20 years reveals that a dense forest
can be created in the mined out areas after reclamation. The satellite imagery of
Panchapatmali bauxite mines reveal that the mined out and reclaimed areas have
established better forest than the pre-mining situation.

(B) IMPACT OF BAUXITE MIING ON WILDLIFE

There is no sanctuary in Koraput district, Kalahandi district has only one sanctuary i.e
Karlapat Wild Life Sanctuary. None of the ten bauxite deposits occurring in the districts
of Koraput and Kalahandi are forming a part of Wild Life Sanctuary or National Park
or Biosphere Reserve. The Karlapat deposit is about 2-10 Kms away from the Karlapat
Wild Life Sanctuary while the Krishunmali deposit is 1-3 Kms from the Karlapat Wild
Life Sanctuary.
According to the State Government, in all these bauxite deposits, the bauxite mineral
coccurring on the plateau top has no vegetation / scanty vegetation, only the hill slopes
and the surrounding areas has vegetation and presence of Wild Life.

Common wild life species found around these areas are baring deer, spotted deer, hare,
jackal, langur, sloth bear, snake, wild boar, wild bear, leopard and

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peacock etc. Elephants are sometimes observed around the different deposits in
Kalahandi district while they are not observed around the deposits in Koraput district.
Presently, special efforts are not in place for conservation and management of wild life in
the these areas in the absence of National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries and specific
fund allotment for the area. It is envisaged that special efforts shall be undertaken with
the assistance of project authorities for management and conservation of wild life in these
areas. Specific wild life management plans would be put in place before according
approval for undertaking mining in these areas.

The wild life management plan in these areas shall take into consideration habitat
conservation, soil conservation measures, water harvesting structure, fire protection
measures, fodder enrichment, corridor restoration, anti poaching measures, ecotourism
and eco development in surrounding villages and public awareness to enhance the
conservation values of wild life in the area. It will also take in to account protection of the
migratory path of elephants and other animals where applicable.

The operations in these bauxite mining areas will be undertaken with strict regulatory
conditions to minimize the impact of noise generated from occasional blasting and
vehicular movement on the wild life including avi-fauna in the area.

Elephant corridor exists from the Karlapat Wilf Life Sanctuary to the Kotagarh Wild Life
Sanctuary. There is occasional straying of elephants from the Karlapat Wild Life
Sanctuary to the hill folds of Niyamgiri ranges and these passages are 2 Kms away and
500 mtrs below the Lanjigarh Bauxite plateau top. Therefore controlled blasting during
day light hours (maximum two blasts per week) will have almost no impact on the
elephant movement.

Suitable management interventions by way of implementation of wild life management

plan shall be undertaken in these bauxite mining areas to ensure conservation of wild life
of the area. Such a system at a cost of Rs. 50.53 Crs has already been proposed for
conservation and management of wild life around

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Lanjigarh bauxite mines taking in to account the suggestions of the Wild Life Instituite of
India Dehradun.

(c) IMPACT OF BAUXITE MINING ON TRIBAL LIFE HABITATION

Usually, in the bauxite deposits plateaus of Kalahandi and Koraput districtsd of Orissa,
no human habitation exists. The total tribal population residing within 10kms radius of
project impact zones of these bauxite deposits is 63742 Nos in Kalahandi District and
1,52,739 Nos in Koraput District which constitutes 16.54% and 25.59% of the tribal
population of these districts respectively.

While there is some industrial activity in Koraput District, like NALCO and Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited etc, initiating economic development in the district, there is
absolutely no industrial activity in Kalahandi district. The tribals residing in the project
impact zones are almost leading a life on collection of minor forest produce and
depending on developmental initiatives of the Government.

The Governemnt of Orissa undertakes developmental activities for tribals through

Integrated Tribal Development Agencies in both districts. In addition, the Government of
Orissa also operates Kutia Kandh development agency for development of Kutia Kandhs
in Kalahandi district.

The NALCO bauxite mining project in Koraput Distirct of Orissa has made significant
positive impact on tribal life by way of provide direct and indirect employment, service
and support opportunities. The proposed bauxite mining projects is expected to bring
economic development for local population.

The envisage bauxite mining projects in these districts will bring about economic
prosperity in the area. The projects in these districts will be required to under take special
tribal development programs to take care of health, education, communication and

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suitable livelihood of the tribals living around these bauxite bearing areas. Such a scheme
will reduce biotic pressure and help forest conservation.

At Lanjigarh special efforts have been taken by the Governemnt, by way of earmarking
Rs 12.20 Crs exclusively for tribal development. This money will be deposited by the
user agency upfront after in principle approval, and will be spent for development of the
tribal population.

Further, the Government of Orissa have formulated a policy by which all project
proponents undertaking development work in scheduled areas will spend 5% of their net
profit accrued for the project for development of health, education, communication,
irrigation and agriculture of the said schedule area within a radius of 50 Kms. This will
ensure regular flow of substantial capital, which can be utilized for development of the
area.

The execution of such tribal development schemes and proper utilization of the funds
earmarked for the purpose can be monitored by a suitable steering committee at the State
Government level or as may be decided by the Hon’ble Court to ensure its effective
utilization.

The State Government of Orissa is of the view that the bauxite mining will have positive
economic developmental impact on tribal population while ensuring their ecological
security.
(D) IMPACT OF BAUXITE MINING ON ECOLOGY – WATER REGIME

In the bauxite deposits of Koraput and Kalahandi distict, the springs are originating about
150-250 Mtrs below the plateau top bauxite zone. The bauxite formations in these
deposits have thin hard lateritic overburden. The litho logical profile of these deposits
show lateritic overburden followed by bauxite, partially lateritised khondalite, and
khondalite the parent rock. The khondalite has got no

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porosity and very low permeability. Since the water table is well below the bauxite zone,
the bauxite mining will not disturb the ground water table.

Due to bauxite mining, micro cracks are likely to develop along the walls of the hill
slopes, which will help seepage of water and augment ground water recharge and
consequently stream flow. Hence the streams originated from hill slope will maintain
their flow and will be benefited due to the mining operations in contrast to the pre-mining
situation.

In post mining scenario, the mined out area shall be backfilled with loose lateritie
overburden and top soil which will allow percolation of rain water through it. This will
minimize the surface run off, and facilitate recharge of ground water table within the
mined out areas through a network of sumps. Hence improvement in groundwater table is
anticipated in the post mining scenario.

Provision of garland drains ahead of the mining faces will allow diversion of surface run
off to natural water courses and construction of 15Mtrs peripheral barrier all around the
plateau discharge of muddy water from the mine workings to the streams originated from
hill slopes enabling them to maintain the water quality. The experience at NALCO shows
that the streams emanating from the hill are still maintaining their flow and quality as
they were in the pre-mining conditions.

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General Safeguard to be imposed while granting license in Forest areas

The following safe guards may be imposed on the User Agency while granting mining
license in bauxite mining areas.

1. The user agency shall undertake demarcation of the lease area on the ground
using four feet high cement concrete pillars with serial number, forward and back
bearings and distance from pillar to pillar.
2. TheState forest Department shall take up compensatory afforestation with suitable
indigenous species and shall declare the said area identified for compensatory
afforestation as “Protected Forest” under the Orissa Forest Act 1972 for the
purpose of management.
3. The user agency shall make arrangements for mutation and transfer of equivalent
non-forestland identified for compensatory afforestation to the State Forest
Department.
4. The forest land shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified in the
approval
5. The user agency shall undertake Rehabilitation of Project affected families, if any
as per the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy of State Government.
6. The user agency shall undertake Phased reclamation of mined over area. As far as
possible all overburden should be used for back filling and reclamation of the
mined areas.
7. The user agency shall undertake fencing of the safety zone area. It shall deposit
funds with state Forest Department for the protection and regeneration of the
safety zone area. It shall also bear the cost of plantation of one and half times the
area of the safety zone in degraded forests else where in lieu of the area used for
safety zone.
8. The overburden dumps shall be managed scientifically through soil conservation
measures so as to avoid wash outs.
9. The user agency shall deposit the NPV of the forestland sought for diversion for
undertaking mining operations.

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 10. The user agency shall prepare a comprehensive plan for the development of
tribals in the project impact area.
11. Controlled Blasting only may be used in exigencies wherever needed to minimize
the impact of noise on wild life in the area.
12. The user agency should provide free fuel/firewood preferably alternate fuel to the
labourers and the staff working at the site so as to avoid any damage and pressure
on adjacent forests.
13. The User Agency shall undertake the development of a Green Belt by way of
plantation in all vacant areas within the project.

Case specific Safeguards:

i. The reclamation of the mines shall be carried out concurrently and should be
regularly monitored by the State Forest Departmetn.
ii. The Wildlife Management Plan (WMP) already submitted with the Project
shall be modified as suggested by the Wildlife Institute of India, (WII)
Dehradun, and shall be implemented by the State Government / User Agency
at the project cost. The progress of implementation of the WMP shall be
regularly monitored by the WII and the Regional Office, Bhubaneswar.
iii. All efforts shall be made by the User Agency and the State Government to
prevent soil erosion and pollution of rivers / streams.
iv. The user agency should undertake comprehensive study on hydrogeology of
the area and the impact of mining on the surrounding water quality and stream
flow and take effective measures so as to maintain the pre mining water
condition as far as possible. This shall be monitored by the Regional Office,
Bhubaneswar.
v. As already notified by the Government of Orissa, the user agency shall spend
5% of the net profit for development of health, education, communication,
irrigation and agriculture for development of the area.

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 Annexure - I
KORAPUT DISTRICT
1. PANCHPATMALI
Location Latitude: 18° 49’ (N)
Longitude : 83° (East)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 N/1, J/13 (Extracts enclosed)
Altitude 1337 Mtrs above MSI.
Status of working Under Mining Operation by NALCO, a
Government of India undertaking since
1986.
Vegetation The plateau top is barren. At some places,
grasses, phoenix (date palm) and weeds
such as lantana are observed. Scrubs are
observed all along the hill slope on western
side. Open forest and moderately dense
forest are seen along eastern side slope of
the hill.

The area is primarily covered by dry

deciduous forests. Common species found
in the hill slopes are Amla, Kendu, Piasal,
& Mango etc. The already mined out and
reclaimed areas show good growth of
vegetation of indigenous species.
Wild life Common wild life found around the area is
snake, wild boar, wild beer, barking deer,
leopard, jackle and peacock etc. there is no
wild life sanctuary or national park in the
project impact zone covering an area of 10
kms of radius of the deposit.
Tribal Life 194 villages are situated in the project

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 impact zone within 10 kms radius of the
deposit. The total population in these 194
villages is95984. about 59% of the
population is Scheduled Tribe.
Water Regime All streams on western side drain to
Hatigarh Nalah, a tributary to Muran River
ultimately leading to Indravati river. The
streams on the eastern side drain to
Jhanjabati Nadi which is leading to the
Nagavali River. The springs originate at an
elevation of 1050-1100 Mtrs RL which is
approximately 250 Mtrs below the plateau
top bauxite deposit level.

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 2. POTTANGI
Location Latitude: 18° 36’ (N)
Longitude : 82° 58’ (E)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 J/14 (Extracts is enclosed)
Altitude 1415 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation There is no forest cover on plateau top
except grasses and phoenix. Northern,
North eastern, Western and Southern sides
of hill slopes are covered by shrubs. Small
patches of intermixed open forest and
moderately dense forest are available on
western side of the hill slope. The area is
characterized by dry deciduous
miscellaneous forests.

Common species like Harida, Bahada,

Amla, Asan, Jammu etc are observed in the
project impact zone.
Wild life The common wild life found around the
area is bear, Hyna, snake, Mangoose etc.
There is no National Park or Wild Life
Sanctuary or biosphere reserve in the
project impact area within 10 Kms radius
of the deposit.
Tribal Life There are 57 Nos of villages in the project
impact zone of about 10 kms radius of the
deposit. The total population in these
villages is 36,398 and the tribal population
comprises 67% of the total population in
the area.
Water Regime On the eastern side of the hill, the streams
drain to Tatajhola Nala finally feeding to
Suvamamukhi Nadi. Five streams on the

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 western side drain to Pottangi Nala which
finally leads to the Kolab river. The streams
originate about 215 Mtrs below the plateau
top bauxite deposit level.

3. BALADA
Location Latitude: 18° 20’ (N) and
Longitude : 82° 40’ (E)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 J/11 (Extracts enclosed)

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Altitude 1264 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation No forest on plateau top except grasses.
Small patches of open forest and
moderately dense forest are observed in the
hill slopes. The vegetation of the area is
primarily dry deciduous miscellaneous
forests type.
Wild life Common wild life found around the area
are Wild bear, Sambar, Deer, Hyna, Fox,
Leopard, snakes, common mangoose, wild
boar, peacock etc. There is no national park
or wild life sanctuary within the project
impact zone.
Tribal Life 97 villages are situated in the project
impact zone within 10 kms radius of the
deposit. The total population in these
villages is 40,524 and the tribals constitute
54% of the total population.
Water Regime Foru springs on western side drain to
Jolaput reservoir. Six springs on eastern
side drain through the Patala river to the
Jolaput reservoir. All streams originate
from RI. 1010-1060 Mtrs which is about
200 Mtrs below the plateau top bauxite
deposit level.

4. Maliparbat
Location Latitude: 18° 54’ and
Longitude : 82° 42’ (E)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 J/14 (Extracts enclosed)
Altitude 1329 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation The bauxite deposit occurs in non forest
area. The vegetation cover on the top of the

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 deposit area is grasses and phoenix (date
palm) In valley slopes, the species are
Amla and Kendu.
Wild life Common wild life found around the area
are snake, wild boar, wild beer, barking
deer, leopard, jackle and peacock etc. There
is no wild life sanctuary or national park in
the project impact zone covering an area of
10 kms of radius of the deposit.
Tribal Life 53 Nos of villages are situtated in the
project impact zone within 10 Kms radius
of the deposit. The total population in these
villages is 1,35,632. The tribal population
in these villages constitute 33% of the total
population.
Water Regime Three streams on south side drain to
chauladhoba Nala a tributary of Kolab
River. Three major springs on are observed
north side. All streams originate about 200
Mtrs below the plateau top bauxite deposit
level.

5. Kodingamali

Location latitude 19o (N0 and longitude 83o 04’ (E)

Survey of India Topo sheet 65 M/4 (extracts enclosed)
Number
Altitude 1276 Mtrs above MSL
Vegetation 1276 Mtrs above MSL.
Wild Life Common fauna observed around the area are jackle, fox,
Indian hare, langur, porcupine, leopard, wild bear, king
vulture, snake, etc. The project impact area does not form a

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 part of the national park, wild life sanctuary or biosphere
reserve.
Tribal life There are 153 villages situated in the project impact zone
within 10 Kms of the deposit. The total population in these
villages is 69, 501 and the tribal population constitutes 69%
of the total population.
Water Regime There are 8 streams on the eastern side of the deposit
draining to Patagarha Nai. These springs are originating
from the hill slopes about 250 mtrs below the plateau top
bauxite deposit level.

KALAHANDI DISTRICT
1. KARLAPAT
Location latitude 19o 43’ (N) and longitude 83o 10’ (E)
Survey of India Topo sheet 65/M2(extracts enclosed)
Number
Altitude 1141 Mtrs above MSL
Vegetation Plateu top has sparse vegetation. Open forest and
moderately dense forest are observed on all sides on hill
slopes. Open forest is dominant on the South East slope,
moderately dense forest dominants North West, Eastern and
Southern slopes.

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 In general, the area has vegetation of moist peninsular sal
and peninsular sal forest, and dry deciduous forest types.
Common species found in the area Sal, Arjun, Dhaura,
Jamun, Sahej Karanja and Bamboo etc.
Wild Life Common fauna found around the area are tiger, langur,
porcupine, leopard, elephant, barking deer, wild boar,
Sambar etc. the Karlapat bauxite deposit is about 2-10 Kms
from the Karlapat wild life sanctuary.
Tribal Life 110 No of villages are situated within 10 Kms radius of the
deposit in the project impact zone. The total population in
these villages are 18594 and the total population constitutes
64% of the total population.
Water regime The streams on the eastern/western/south side are draining
to Barba nadi forming a part of the Nagavali river. The
plateu top elevation is 1141 mtrs and the springs forming the
stream originate 150 Mtrs below the plateau top bauxite
deposit level.

2. Lanjigarh
Location latitude 19o 20’ (N) and longitude 83o 23’ (E)
Survey of India Topo sheet 65 M/6 (Extracts enclosed)
Number
Altitude 1306 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation Scanty vegetation is available on the mineralized area. A
mix of open forest and moderately dense forest
Wild Life Common wild life found around the area are Elephant,
Sambar, Spotted Dear, barking Dear, Leopard, porcupine,
Langur, Hyena, Rheus Monkey, giant squirrel etc. However,
the proposed area is not a part of National aPark/ wild life
sanctuary/ biosphere reserve. The State government has
proposed a wild life management plan at a cost of Rs 50.53
Crs for conservation of wild life in the area.
Tribal Life 173 no of villages are situated in the project impact zone
within 10 Kms of the area. The total population in these
villages is 50586. he tribal population constitutes 43% of the

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 total population. A tribal development scheme at a cost of
Rs. 12.20 Crs have been formulated for development of
tribals of the area.
Water regime The western side of the deposit is draining to the
Vamsadhara River. The eastern side is draining thropugh the
Panimunda Nadi. The streams originate about 200 Mtrs
below the plateau top bauxite deposit level at an elevation of
870 Mtrs on the eastern side of the eposit.

3. Sijimali
Location latitude 19o 30’ (N) and longitude 83o 09’ (E)
Survey of India Topo sheet 65 M/2 & M/3 (Extracts enclosed)
Number
Altitude 1216 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation Plateau top has no vegetation except grass. There is scrub on
Western side hill slopes. A mix of open forest and
moderately dense forest noted on all sides on hill slopes.

In general, this area has moist peninsular sal forests and dry
deciduous forest types. The common species found in this
area are sal, Haldu, Mahul, Neem, Dhaura, date palm, Siris,
chakunda and bahada etc.
Wild Life Common wild life found around the area are barking dear,
spotted dear, hare, jackle, langur, sloth bear, etc.However,
the proposed area is not a part of National Park/wild life
sanctuary/biosphere reserve.

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Tribal Life 76 no of villages are situated in the project impact zone
within 10 Kms of the deposit. The total population in these
villages are 10333 and scheduled tribes constitute 53% of
the total population.
Water regime Two springs on the south drain towards Chaudhoba Nala
and two springs on the north drain to Barha Nadi forming a
part of the Nagavali River.

4.Kutrumali
Location Latitude: 19° 27’ (N) and
Longitude : 83° 13’ (E)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 M/3 (Extracts enclosed)
Altitude 1228 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation - Plateau top – No Vegetation
observed
- Patches of open and moderately
dense forest on hill slope.
The common species found in this area
are Sal, Haldu, Mahul, Neem, Dhaura,
Date palm, Siris, Chakunda and Bahada
etc.
Wild life Common wild life found around the area
are, barking deer, spotted dear, hare, jackle,
langur, sloth bear, cobra, viper etc.
However the area is not a part of National

21
 Park / Wild Life sanctuary / Biosphere
reserve
Tribal Life 77 villages are situated in the project
impact zone within 10 Kms of the deposit.
The total population in these villages is
8929 and the tribals constitute 55% of the
total population.
Water Regime Three streams on the eastern side drain to
Dallireha nala and three streams on south
west draining to Dalakuna Nalah leading to
Nagavali river. All streams originate 200
Mtrs below the plateau top bauxite deposit
level.

5. KRISHUNMALI
Location Latitude: 19° 05’ (N) and
Longitude : 83° 40’ (E)
Survey of India topo Sheet Number 65 M/2 (Extracts enclosed)
Altitude 1040 Mtrs above MSL.
Vegetation Plateau top has sparse vegetation. Open
forest and moderately dense forest are
observed on northern and eastern hill
slopes.

In general, the area has vegetation of moist

peninsular sal and peninsular sal forests,
and dry deciduous forest types. Common
species found in the area are Sal, Arjun,
Dhaura, Jamun, Sahej Karanja and Bamboo
etc.
Wild life Common fauna found around the area are

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 tiger, langur, porcupine, leopard, elephant,
barking deer, wild boar, Sambar, etc. The
Krishunmali bauxite deposit is about 1-3
Kms from the Karlapat wild life sanctuary.
Tribal Life 100 Nos of villages are situated within 10
Kms radius of the deposit in the project
impact zone. The total population in these
villages are 19574 and the tribal population
constitutes 59% of the total population.
Water Regime The streams on the eastern side are draining
jakam nala. The streams on the western
side are draining to Sagarha Nala leading to
Indravati river. The plateau top elevation is
1040 mtrs and the springs forming the
stream originate about 150 Mtrs below the
plateau top bauxite deposit level.

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