International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 4, Issue 11, November -2015
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Status of Biodiversity in Mining Area of Kamatagi (North
Karnataka, INDIA) A Case Study
Dr. R.G.Konnur Department of Zoology, SVP- SSBM First Grade College,
BADAMI-587201, Karnataka State, INDIA , Email : rgkonnur@gmail.com.
ABSTRACT
Unchecked population growth and anthropocentric causes including mining led to
devastation of habitat, loss of biodiversity, shift or change, or extinction of species of flora &
fauna. One such study was conducted near Kamatagi (North Karnataka) that lies on low
profile hills of Western Ghats. Quarterly survey for flora & fauna including physicochemical
factors and socio-economic survey studies have suggested a shift or change in species
composition in mined area in par with un-mined (natural ) habitat. There was a general
trend in the dominance of natural/ wild varieties of plants in un-mined region than in the
mining belt. It reflected a situation of habitat fragmentation and loss of native plants. The
mined area however has prevalence of cultivable/ornamental plant species. An analyses of
fauna indicated a least variability & differences in species composition. Insects among
invertebrates and aves & mammals among vertebrates have dominated the rest of animal
groups in mined as well as un-mined regions
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The reasons for sparse distribution & stunted growth of trash/wild plants in
un-mined region concurrent to rich growth of cultivable plants in mining belt is discussed.
Recent insights in biodiversity conservation and effective nurturing of both biodiversity as
well as mining is also discussed in this paper.
INTRODUCTION
Human beings are traditionally dependent on plants, animals & microbes in their
surroundings since ancient times for various purposes such as food, medicine, cloth,
cosmetics, dyes, fiber, pesticides, building materials & house hold articles of daily use. Now
it is a question how safe these plants & animals under the present trend of ecosystem
exploitation. Unchecked population growth & anthropocentric causes devasted the habitat
and extinction of many species of plants & animal (Sharma 1997,Subramaniyan 2007,Khan
MA, 2012). Mining activities are considered to cause a serious damage to flora & fauna by
way of destruction of their natural habitat. It is the general perception that mining harms
our biodiversity by way of deforestation, habitat degradation, isolation, soil erosion,
inundation of aquatic ecosystems etc,.(Odum, E P 1971, Gadgil M.1993, Gupta R K, Chauhan
Anita 1994 ,Gupta R K 2012).
Key-wards:sustainable biodiversity, deforestation,edge effect,stunted growth, conservation,
a forestation, mining, habitat fragmentation, cultivable plants, trash/wild plants
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Studies also suggest a less stable dynamics of fauna due to increasing patchiness
(Kareiva.p,1987) caused by mining, edge effect (Fisher J & David Lindenmoyer,2007) etc,.
Now, because the mining occupies 2nd position in industrial sector & supports the Indian
economy, science based approach & biodiversity offsets towards nurturing both mining &
biodiversity are now under consideration to avoid loss due to mining ( ICMM,2005; Malik
Virah et.al.,2014). Keeping this in view, research studies were carried out near Kamatagi
(Bagalkot dt.-north Karnataka) for a period of one year from 2012-2013. This study aimed at
reporting the effects of mining on status of biodiversity i.e., to know whether the mining has
its deteriorating effects on biota at this region, if any?.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study area (mining site) is located on stretches of low profile hills of Western
Ghats. It lies at a distance of 6-7km, towards east of Kamatagi (Bagalkot dt.) just beside
Bagalkot-Raichur state highway at 600 msl (Map-1). Approximate coverage area of mining
activity is 60-70 ha. Quarterly survey for flora & fauna, physicochemical parameters and
socio-economic studies were carried out; but, the data on flora & fauna alone are chosen here
to interpret the results. Quadrate method was adopted to analyze the composition of flora &
fauna. The average of four study stations as one unit in the mining area and one in the nonmining (natural) habitat were the sampling sites. The index method was adopted to represent
the number of individual species (Phillip E.A.1959, Misra,1968 and Sundarapandian S M
2012 ).
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International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 4, Issue 11, November -2015
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RESULTS
.
The average values of quarterly survey on qualitative & quantitative aspects of
flora and fauna in mining & non-mining areas are summarized in Table-I and Table-II
respectively.
TABLE-I. Composition and Quantitative Flora Analyzed for study stations
Composition of Flora
Acacia Arabica
A. nilotica
A.catechu
Australian acacia
Albizia lebbeck
Bauhinia vaigate
Baugain villea
Cassia auriculata
Carissa indica
C. caridosa
Caryota daman
Dalburgia sisa
Delonix regia
Mined area
++
+
++
++
+
+
++
+++
+
+
++
++
+++
Unmined(Natural)
Habitat
+++
+++
++
++
++
+
++
++
+
+
++
++
+
++
+
++
++
+
+
+++
+
++
++
+
+
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
+
+
++
+
+
+++
++
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Duranta seens
Eucalyptus longifolia
Euphorbia antignasium
Ficus sp.
Hibiscus rosa
Indigofera
Jaltropha provera
Neem plant
Opuntia
Pongamia pinnata
Parthenium weed
Protopis alba
Phyllantus emblica
Tectona grandis
Zizypus zuzuba
Thatch grass
* Index for Quantity: + 1-5/10x10 sq. m, ++ 6-25/10x10 sq.m,
+++ 26 & >/10x10sq.m , - No representation +*Rarely sighted
The composition of plants listed in Table 1 suggests that the plant varieties- Pongamia
pinnata, Cassia auriculata, Phyllanthus emblica,Caryota daman,Delonix regia etc.,
dominated in the mining area with index value ++ and +++; whereas, plant species-Acacia
nilotica ,A.arabica, Ziziphus zuzuba,Neem plant, Jaltropha provera.dominated in the non-
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mining (natural) habitat. Their index value varied between ++ and +++ in the region. The
non-mining region also had moderate distribution of thatch grass.
The plant species –Dalburgia sisa ,Eucalyptus longifolia, Ficus sp., Australian
acacia & A.catechu distributed equally in both the mining as well as non-mining regions.
TABLE. II: Composition and Quantitative Fauna analyzed for study stations
Composition of Fauna
INVERTEBRATES
Termite
Solenopsis sp.(Red ant)
Spider
Butter fly
May fly
Dragon fly
Lac insect
Grass hopper
Carausius (Stick insect)
Mantis religosa(preying mantis)
Schistocera gregaria (Locust)
Vespa orientalis (red wasp)
Julus terestricus (a millipede)
Scolopendra (a centipede)
VERTEBRATES
Bufo melanosticus(terr.frog)
Mabouia carinata( skink.-lizard)
Calotes versicolor
Varanus monitor
Passer domesticus(house sparrow)
Myana bird
Corvus sp.(crow)
Hoofe hoofe
Pavo cristatus (comm..pea fowl)
Baya bird
Swift
Tochus birostricus(grey hornbil)
Langoor(black monkey)
Macaca macaca(red monkey)
Mangoose
Manis( Pangolin-ant eater)
Wild pig
Hystrix (spine pig)
Mined area
Un-mined/natural
Habitat
+
++
+
++
+
+
+
+
+
+
+++
+++
++
+++
++
++
++
++
+
++
++
++
+
+
+
+
++
+
+
++
++
+
+
+
+*
-
+
+
++
+
+++
++
+
++
+
+
+++
+
+
+
++
+*
+*
+*
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* Index for Quantity: + 1-5/10x10 sq. m, ++ 6-25/10x10 sq.m,
+++ 26 & >/10x10sq.m , - No representation +*Rarely sighted
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The composition of Invertebrate animals recorded belongs to two major groups i.e.,
Arthropoda & Mollusca. Insects of the group arthropoda accounted to 99% and the
remaining 1% constituted by Mollusca. Termites, red ant, Dorylus sp.(winged ants) butterfly
& grasshopper etc., dominated in the non- mining area. Flying insects like-may fly dragon
fly recorded seasonally i.e., during rainy season in both the regions, their index value ranged
between + to++( 1-5 to 6-25 indls.). Lac-insect, grasshopper, millipede, stick-insect did not
show their representation in the mining area. The quantity of termite, red ant, butter-fly was
significantly high in non-mining region with Index value of +++( >25 indls.)
Among the Vertebrates- Birds & Mammals were dominated over the rest of
animal groups. Passer domesticus, Myana, Swift, Corvus sp.(Crow), Hoofe hoofe were
common with reduced index value (+/++ ). Swift & house sparrow recorded a higher index
value of ++ & +++(6-25 &> 25 indls. respectively) in mining as well as non-mining areas.
The composition of Mammals included Manis, Mangoose, Wild pig ,Macaca
macaca, Languor,& Hystrix etc.,. Manis & Hystrix were sighted very rarely i.e.,
occasionally in these habitats. Among the rest of the vertebrates Bufo melanosticus ( land
frog) & Mabauia carinata( skink) an amphibian and reptilian respectively recorded with a
low index value +,(1-5 indls.) only in the non-mining region.
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DISCUSSION
The status of vegetation was considered as basic measure to know the effect of
mining on biodiversity. Hence, due importance was given to record the composition of flora
& fauna and their quantity in both the mining as well as non-mining regions.
The collected data on flora suggest that, in general, there is a shift in the species
composition of plants. The cultivable plant species like P.pinnata, C.auriculata,
P.emblica,C.daman & D.regia preferred the mining area when compared to non-mining
habitat.. The natural/wild plants like- A.nilotica, A.arabica, Z.zuzuba, J.provera &
Indigofera etc., flourished in non-mining area(Table I). The reason for higher index value of
cultivable plant sp. in mining area may be attributed to their conducive soil factors, like root
penetration created after removal of stones/rocks during the mining process. In addition,
timely watering, care and promotion of a forestation by the mining authority under
conservation acts laid by the govt. could have encouraged rich plant growth. But these
conservation acts in the mining area in the present study may not be expected to a long run
for a sustainable ecosystem. The de- conservation process by the mining authority may go
hand in hand, due to commercial thinking & their intention of siphoning maximum profit out
of their rights to utilize the entire lease period (Gupta R.K,2012) .
The natural/ wild plants like- A.nilotica, A.arabica, Z.zuzuba, J.provera & Indigofera
etc.,although flourished better in non-mining area, but these plants had stunted growth. The
vegetation too was sparse with plants of bushy nature & consisted of trash plants. Two
reasons are predicted for stunted growth-one being the soil with high % of stones/rocks, that
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International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 4, Issue 11, November -2015
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could have prevented the root penetration of these plants. Secondly, low annual rainfall
(<600 mm/yr ), and non retention of rained water due to sloping hill.
Research reviews suggest that, stones/rocks of the size more than 25cm could
severely affect the root penetration of plants and result in stunted growth, that too when the
percentage of stones exceeds 50-60(%) of soil(Stone E.L.1991). Substantially rich growth of
cultivable plants at some regions of mining site suggest that, the soil minerals are not yet
fully exploited or degraded. It is also witnessed that, large size stones were sufficiently
sortedout in mining process. The study stations like no.2&3(Map 1) out of total number 4
stations (averaged as one unit) have experienced overburden of dumps of mineral stones,
resulted in very sparse vegetation or no vegetation at all. Asthana D.K.& Meera
Aasthana(2010) and Aravind Kumar et al.(2010) suggest that, overburden dumps of mining
could contribute to a severe environmental degradation due to alteration in the surface
topography. Kotiyar et al.,(1987) and Gupta R.K.(2012) are of the opinion that, mining
activities should be undertaken in conformity with the objectives of safe disposal of mined
waste for sustainable ecosystem. ICMM (2005) suggest that, there should be systematic
planning & biodiversity offsets while establishing mining industries, so that damage due to
mining could be compensated.
The data on fauna are not considered as significant in assessing the effect of mining
on their diversity due to their migratory behavior. The present case is an example of surface
(opencast) mining. It incurs less damage to biota than pit mining.
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CONCLUSION
1. The co-dominance of cultivable & natural plant species in two different habitats
reflects a situation of habitat fragmentation; & suggest that the mining could interrupt
uniform distribution of biota due to edge effects.
2. Partial mining with removal of stones/rocks to a depth of 5-10m on low profile hills
or surface (opencast) mining belt may support both plant growth as well as monitory
benefits from mining.
3. Overburden of huge mining dumps/rocks could apprehend plant growth due to change
in topography, competiveness and change in other physicochemical factors of soil .
4. Either of the habitats (mining or non-mining) are conducive for rich flora of any kind
of plants (natural or cultivated), provided growth promoting parameters should exist
(at least at a minimum level) in such habitats.
SUGGESTIONS
1. For sustainable and more economic benefit cultivable/ornamental plants should be
replaced by perennial & economically beneficial plants, that ensures long lasting
conservation measure.
2. Mining should have limitations to retain minimum quantity of mineral pool in the
residue for supporting biota, i.e., sustainable exploitation for future lives of plants
(Kotiyar et.al.,1987) ,there should be strict promulgation of laws to this effect.
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3. Surface (opencast) mining should be preferred, to avoid severe damage done to
ecosystem in pit mining.
4. Reclamation of mined land to the extent of agriculture/a forestation usage should be
made mandatory to the miners.
ACKNOLEDGEMENTS
I extend my gratitude to University Grants Commission, SWRO, Bangalore, for
providing financial assistance to pursue this research problem. I am grateful to my Institution
for giving me the opportunity to serve & granting necessary permission to carryout research
activities. I thank Dr.A.A.Topalakatti for analyzing the flora for this project.
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