Appendix I – Form Ienvironmentclearance.nic.in/.../online/EC/110920159GJPBNAJAAE-1… · APPENDIX I FORM 1 (I) Basic Information Name of the Project: Asia Africa Europe One (AAE-1)

Appendix I – Form I

Environmental Assessment of Asia Africa Europe One (AAE-1)Submarine Cable System at Versova Beach, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

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APPENDIX I

FORM 1

(I) Basic Information

Name of the Project: Asia Africa Europe One (AAE-1) Submarine CableSystem at Versova Beach, Mumbai, India

Location / site alternativesunder consideration: Versova Beach, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Size of the Project: 177 Terrabit-submarine cable system spanning20,000 km submarine cable linking South Asia toAfrica and Europe via the Middle East

CRZ classification of the area: CRZ - IB, CRZ II, CRZ - IVAProject is a Submarine Cable System landing at aBeach Man Hole (BMH) at Versova Beach inMumbai, India. The cable will enter the IndianTerritorial Waters (CRZ-IVA), the beach (CRZ-IB)and terminate in the BMH (CRZ-II).

Expected cost of the project: USD 6 million

Contact Information: Mr. Kapoor Singh GulianiReliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.,D-7, Dhawandeep Building, 6,Jantar Mantar Road,New Delhi – 110001, IndiaTel: +91-11-43523791Fax: +91-11-23340453E-mail: [email protected]


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Activity

1. Construction, operation or decommissioning of the Project involvingactions, which will cause physical changes in the locality (topography, landuse, changes in water bodies, and the like)

S. No. Information/Checklistconfirmation Yes/No

Details thereof (with approximatequantities /rates, wherever possible) with

source of information data1.1 Permanent or temporary change in

land use, land cover or topographyincluding increase in intensity ofland use (with respect to localland use plan)

No

Cable landing and BMH construction areunderground operation. No change in land-use will occur due to project developmentas no above ground structure will beconstructed.

1.2 Details of CRZ classification as perthe approved Coastal ZoneManagement Plan?

Yes

As per the CRZ Survey of Greater Mumbai(6th November 1997 through 20th May1998), our project activity will take place inCRZ Zone IV-A, I-B and II.

Undersea cable laying: CRZ IV-ACable from Sea edge to BMH: CRZ I-BConstruction of BMH: CRZ II

1.3 Whether located in CRZ-I area? Yes Cable laying activity from Sea edge to BMHwill take place in CRZ - IB zone.

1.4 The distance from CRZ-I areas?Yes

Shortest distance between inner side(seaward side) of proposed BMH and theboundary of CRZ I (B) area is 18.66 m

1.5 Whether located within the hazardzone as mapped by Ministry ofEnvironment and Forest/NationalDisaster Management Authority?

Yes

Yes, as per NDMA, coastal areas ofMaharashtra are prone to cyclones andtsunami.

1.6 Whether the area is prone tocyclone, tsunami, tidal surge,subduction, earthquake etc.?

Yes

Yes, as per NDMA, coastal areas ofMaharashtra are prone to cyclones andtsunami.As per Seismic Zone Map of India, Bureauof Indian Standards (BIS) IS:1893-2002,Mumbai city falls in seismic zone III which isModerate Damage Risk Zone (MSK VII)

1.7 Whether the area is prone forsaltwater ingress?

No

BMH is located on the Versova Beach (onroad), Mumbai.

The ground water quality of deeper aquiferis brackish to slightly saline in somelocalities such as Colaba (~26 km), Dharavi(~10 km) and Khar (~7 km) as observedfrom BMC data. This may be due toingression of sea water.

1.8 Clearance of existing land,vegetation and buildings? No

Construction of BMH and cable laying isproposed on the road at Versova Beach.There is no vegetation or buildings that will


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need to be cleared at the proposed BMHlocation.

1.9 Creation of new land uses?

No

Cable landing and BMH construction areunderground operation. No new land-usewill be created due to project developmentas no above ground structure will beconstructed.

1.10 Pre-construction investigations e.g.bore houses, soil testing?

Yes

The pre-construction investigations at theBMH site involved earthing system forcable.Drilling of bore holes is not necessary forthe project nor is testing of soil for itscontent and strength.

1.11 Construction works?

Yes

An underground BMH of dimensions 4 m x2 m x 2 m will be constructed at VersovaBeach. It will be a concrete chambersituated below ground and above the highwater level.

1.12 Demolition works? No No demolition works will be carried out.

1.13 Temporary sites used forconstruction works or housing ofconstruction workers? No

Cable termination operation at beach willtake few days and in total 7-8 men will berequired to carry out the cable terminationoperation. Thus, no temporary housing forworkers is required to be provided.

1.14 Above ground buildings, structuresor earthworks including linearstructures, cut and fill orexcavations

Yes

Construction of BMH and cable route atbeach:An underground structure (BMH) ofdimensions 4m x 2m x 2m will beconstructed.A cable route of approximate 80 meterlength and 1 meter deep will be constructedfor the cable to reach from sea edge toBMH.Cable route will be re-filled after layingcable.

1.15 Underground works includingmining or tunneling?

Yes

An underground structure (BMH) ofdimensions 4m x 2m x 2m will beconstructed.A cable route of approximate 80 meterlength and 1 meter deep will be constructedfor the cable to reach from sea edge toBMH.

1.16 Reclamation works? No No reclamation work is associated with theProject.

1.17 Dredging/reclamation/landfilling/disposal of dredged materialetc.? No

The BMH will be constructed on a pavedconcrete surface/road. All excavatedconcrete debris will be disposed off as perMunicipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai


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(MCGM) regulations.1.18 Offshore structures? No No offshore above-ground structure will be

constructed.1.19 Production and manufacturing

processes? No

The project involves laying of a submarinecable system - installation of the optical fibercable under sea. Hence, no production andmanufacturing processes are involved.

1.20 Facilities for storage of goods ormaterials? No No goods, raw material, waste etc. storage

are involved in the project.1.21 Facilities for treatment or disposal of

solid waste or liquid effluents?

No

During the installation phase, Cable layingvessel will comply with all InternationalMaritime Organization (IMO) requirements,including (but not limited to) marineenvironment (i.e. Marine Pollution -MARPOL etc). Thus, any solid waste orliquid effluents generated during theinstallation phase will be disposed off as perMARPOL guidelines.During Operation phase, no solid waste orliquid effluent will be generated.

1.22 Facilities for long term housing ofoperational workers? No

There will be no operational workers at theBMH location after the cable laying processis complete. Hence, no such facility of longterm housing shall be provided.

1.23 New road, rail or sea traffic duringconstruction or operation?

Yes

Traffic equivalent to 10-15 ECS (equivalentcar space) is anticipated during the Beachoperations.In addition sea traffic will involve anchorageof one vessel and a few small boats forcable installation.

1.24 New road, rail, air waterborne orother transport infrastructureincluding new or altered routes andstations, ports, airports etc?

No

Existing transportation routes will be usedfor project development work.

1.25 Closure or diversion of existingtransport routes or infrastructureleading to changes in trafficmovements?

No

No Closure or diversion of existing transportroutes or infrastructure is involved whichmay lead to any change in trafficmovements.

1.26 New or diverted transmission linesor pipelines?

Yes

Project involves laying down submarinecommunication cable, connecting eighteen(18) countries via landing points at HongKong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore,Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman,UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia,Egypt, Greece, Italy and France.The cable landing site in Mumbai is theproposed BMH site at Versova Beach. Thecable will be further connected to the CableLanding Station (CLS) which is located at a


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distance of approximate 10.5 km from theBMH location.

1.27 Impoundment, damming,culverting, realignment or otherchanges to the hydrology ofwatercourses or aquifers?

No

No Impoundment, damming, culverting,realignment or any other such activity etc isenvisaged due to project developmentwhich may lead to change in hydrology ofwatercourses or aquifers.

1.28 Stream and river crossings?

No

No streams or river will be crossed.

Optical fiber submarine communicationcable will be laid in sea to connect 15countries (mentioned in point no 1.26)through sea route. Cable will cross IndiaOcean and Arabian Sea.

1.29 Abstraction or transfers of waterfrom ground or surface waters? No

No ground or surface water will beabstracted, both during construction andoperation phase of the Project.

1.30 Changes in water bodies or theland surface affecting drainage orrun-off?

No

No change in water bodies and the landsurface is anticipated. Cable will be laid onsea bed and will not impact drainage or run-off.Cable termination at Beach involvesexcavation of cable route and BMH. Landsurface of beach will be restored back aftercompletion of cable laying operation. Noalteration in land surface will take placewhich can impact drainage or run-off.

1.31 Transport of personnel or materialsfor construction, operation ordecommissioning?

YesTransportation of personnel or materials willbe limited to beach operations only.

1.32 Long-term dismantling ordecommissioning or restorationworks? No

The cable life is expected to be in servicefor at least 25 years. There are no plans toremove the proposed cable line or BMH asthese may also be used by future cablesystems.

1.33 Ongoing activity duringdecommissioning which couldhave an impact on theenvironment?

No No decommissioning activity is anticipatedat this time of the Project Installation.

1.34 Influx of people to an area in eithertemporarily or permanently?

No Project does not involve influx of people tothe area, either temporarily or permanent.

1.35 Introduction of alien species? No No alien species will be introduced.1.36 Loss of native species or genetic

diversity?No No loss of native species will occur due to

project development.1.37 Any other actions? No No other activity is involved.


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2. Use of Natural resources for construction or operation of the Project (such asland, water, materials or energy, especially any resources which are non-renewable or in short supply):

S.No. Information/checklistconfirmation Yes/No

Details thereof (with approximatequantities /rates, wherever possible) with

source of information data2.1 Land especially undeveloped or

agricultural land (ha) Yes BMH measuring 4m x 2m x 2m will beconstructed at Versova Beach, Mumbai.

2.2 Water (expected source andcompeting users) unit: KLD

Yes

Small quantity of water will be required forthe construction of BMH during theconstruction phase. The water usageanticipated will be bought in tankers.

No activity will take place at BMH locationduring operation phase.

2.3 Minerals (MT) Yes Concrete for construction of BMH.2.4 Construction material – stone,

aggregates, sand / soil (expectedsource – MT)

YesConcrete for construction of the BMH.

2.5 Forests and timber (source – MT) No No timber resource will be used.2.6 Energy including electricity and

fuels (source, competing users)Unit: fuel (MT), energy (MW) Yes

Fuel (diesel) will be used for operatingconstruction machinery.

2.7 Any other natural resources (useappropriate standard units) No No other natural resource will be used for

undersea cable laying operation.

3. Use, storage, transport, handling or production of substances or materials,which could be harmful to human health or the environment or raise concernsabout actual or perceived risks to human health.

S.No. Information/Checklistconfirmation Yes/No

Details thereof (with approximatequantities/rates, wherever possible) with

source of information data3.1 Use of substances or materials,

which are hazardous (as perMSIHC rules) to human health orthe environment (flora, fauna, andwater supplies)

No No material hazardous to human health willbe used for project development. Fuel likediesel will be used for running constructionmachinery.

3.2 Changes in occurrence of diseaseor affect disease vectors (e.g.insect or water borne diseases)

NoNo such changes will take place that maylead to occurrence of any disease or affectany disease vectors.

3.3 Affect the welfare of people e.g. bychanging living conditions? Yes

It is a submarine communication cable,connecting 15 countries. This project isdeveloped with aim of enhancing therobustness and reliability of international


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connectivity.This project will enable better and fastercommunication service. Data can beaccessed in lesser time and at affordableprice with high security. Thus, this projectwill improve living style of people.

3.4 Vulnerable groups of people whocould be affected by the projecte.g. hospital patients, children, theelderly etc.,

No

The Project activity is confined only toVersova Beach area, Mumbai. Thus, thecable laying operation will not affect anyvulnerable group of people.

3.5 Any other causes, that wouldaffect local communities,fisherfolk, their livelihood, dwellingunits of traditional localcommunities etc.

No

Project activity is of very short duration.Complete cable laying process will take amaximum of 3 weeks & involvesconstruction of underground main hole forhousing cable. Fishing activity or any otheractivity related to livelihood of local peoplewill not be impacted due to this project.

4. Production of solid wastes during construction or operation or decommissioning(MT/month)



source of information data4.1 Spoil, overburden or mine wastes

No The excavated soil will be disposed off atthe site designated by MCGM.

4.2 Municipal waste (domestic and orcommercial wastes)

No

No municipal solid waste is expected to begenerated during operation phase. Smallquantity of construction waste will bedisposed off as per the rules and guidelinesof Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai(MCGM), Mumbai.Waste to be generated onboard will bedisposed off as per guidelines of MARPOL.

4.3 Hazardous wastes (as perHazardous Waste ManagementRules) Yes

The hazardous waste (such as used oilfrom the Cable Laying Vessel andequipment) will be disposed off as per theMARPOL guidelines.

4.4 Other industrial process wastes No No industrial process waste will begenerated.

4.5 Surplus productNo No surplus product generation involved.

4.6 Sewage sludge or other sludgefrom effluent treatment No

No sewage will be generated duringoperation phase.Cable laying vessel will comply withMARPOL, thus sewage to be generated


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while cable laying will be disposed off as perMARPOL guidelines.

4.7 Construction or demolition wastes

No

Negligible amount of construction debris likeleft over concrete may be generated. It willbe disposed off as per guidelines ofMunicipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai(MCGM), Mumbai.

4.8 Redundant machinery orequipment No No redundant machinery or equipment will

be involved.

4.9 Contaminated soils or othermaterials

No

No contamination of soil is anticipated tooccur due to the Project. Cable to be buriedhas an outer covering of inert material whichwill not contaminate soil or water.

4.10 Agricultural wastesNo No agricultural waste will be generated due

to the Project development.

4.11 Other solid wastesYes

Any batteries, used filters or any clinicalwaste generated onboard will be managedas per MARPOL guidelines.

5. Release of pollutants or any hazardous, toxic or noxious substances to air (Kg/hr)



source of information data5.1 Emissions from combustion of

fossil fuels from stationary ormobile sources Yes

There will be temporary and negligibleemissions from the construction equipmenton the Beach.The Cable Laying Vessel will comply withthe MARPOL guidelines. Thus, airemissions will be managed accordingly.

5.2 Emissions from productionprocesses No Project does not involve any production of

goods.5.3 Emissions from materials handling

including storage or transport No No storage and transportation of materialsis involved.

5.4 Emissions from constructionactivities including plant andequipment No

There will be temporary and negligibleemissions from the construction equipmenton the Beach.The Cable Laying Vessel will comply withthe MARPOL guidelines. Thus, airemissions will be managed accordingly.

5.5 Dust or odors from handling ofmaterials including constructionmaterials, sewage and waste Yes

Construction of the BMH and the cablelaying process at Versova Beach willgenerate dust. However, the constructionwill be small scale and no significant dustimpacts will result.

5.6 Emissions from incineration ofwaste No No incineration of waste material will be

carried out.


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5.7 Emissions from burning of waste inopen air (e.g. slash materials,construction debris)

No Open burning of waste will not be carriedout.

5.8 Emissions from any other sources No No other emissions are anticipated due toProject development.

6. Generation of Noise and Vibration, and Emissions of Light and Heat:


Details thereof (with approximatequantities/rates, wherever possible) withsource of information data with source

of information data6.1 From operation of equipment e.g.

engines, ventilation plant, crushers

No

During the construction of the BMH andcable laying process, noise will begenerated because of the use ofjackhammers and excavators. Theconstruction work will be carried out duringday time hours only. These equipmentshave a noise range of 75-85 dB(A).

Noise generated from the barge and cablelaying equipment during the submarinecable installation will be minimal, andtherefore, no unacceptable noise impactsupon the nearby residential and commercialareas will result from this project.

6.2 From industrial or similarprocesses No No industrial processing is involved.

6.3 From construction or demolitionYes

Same as section 6.1

6.4 From blasting or piling No No blasting or piling will be carried out.

6.5 From construction or operationaltraffic Yes

Refer section 6.1.

6.6 From lighting or cooling systems No No lightning or cooling system will beinvolved.

6.7 From any other sources No No other source of noise generation isanticipated.


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7. Risks of contamination of land or water from releases of pollutants into theground or into sewers, surface waters, groundwater, coastal waters or the sea:


Details thereof (with approximatequantities/rates, wherever possible)

with source of information data7.1 From handling, storage, use or

spillage of hazardous materials

No

No hazardous material will be used orstored for project development.Appropriate facilities will be provided in theships and barge for storage and handlingof hazardous waste generated during theconstruction phase. The hazardous wastewill be disposed off as per the MARPOLguidelines.

7.2 From discharge of sewage or othereffluents to water or the land(expected mode and place ofdischarge)

No Refer to Section 1.21

7.3 By deposition of pollutants emittedto air into the land or into water No No such pollutants are expected to be

generated due to Project development.7.4 From any other sources No No other pollution sources are envisaged.

7.5 Is there a risk of long term build upof pollutants in the environmentfrom these sources?

NoNo risk of long term build up of pollutants inthe environment is anticipated due toProject development activity.

8. Risk of accidents during construction or operation of the Project, which couldaffect human health or the environment



source of information data

8.1 From explosions, spillages, firesetc from storage, handling, use orproduction of hazardoussubstances No

Cable laying vessel complies with IMOrequirements on safety (SOLAS-safety oflife at Sea). Thus, any risk to life onboardwill be managed accordingly.No such hazard due to explosions,spillages, fires etc is anticipated at BMHlocation

8.2 From any other causes No No other risk or health hazard is anticipated.8.3 Could the project be affected by

natural disasters causingenvironmental damage (e.g.floods, earthquakes, landslides,cloudburst etc)?

Yes

Area is prone to cyclones and tsunami.BMH or cable laid on sea bed may getimpacted due to these natural disasters.


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9. Factors which should be considered (such as consequential development) whichcould lead to environmental effects or the potential for cumulative impacts withother existing or planned activities in the locality



source of information data9.1 Lead to development of supporting

facilities, ancillary development ordevelopment stimulated by theproject which could have impact onthe environment e.g.:•Supporting infrastructure (roads,power supply, waste or wastewater treatment, etc.)

No No supporting infrastructure is anticipateddue to the Project development.

•housing development No No housing development is anticipated dueto the Project development.

•extractive industries No No impact is anticipated.•supply industries No No impact is anticipated.•other

Yes

Project involves laying down of submarinecommunication cable. This project isdeveloped with the aim of enhancing therobustness and reliability of internationalconnectivity. The project will enable betterand faster communication service. Data canbe accessed in lesser time and at affordableprice with high security. Thus, this projectwill improve living style of people.

9.2 Lead to after-use of the site,which could have an impact onthe environment

NoNo such impact on environment isanticipated.

9.3 Set a precedent for laterdevelopments

Yes

This project will enable better and fastercommunication service. Development of thisproject generates high developmentpotential for telecommunication industries,education, railway sectors, etc.

9.4 Have cumulative effects due toproximity to other existing orplanned projects with similareffects

NoNo cumulative effects due to projectproximity to other existing or plannedprojects with similar effects are anticipated.


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(III)Environmental Sensitivity

S. No. Areas Name/Identity

Aerial distance (within 15km.)

Proposed project locationboundary

1 Areas protected under internationalconventions, national or locallegislation for their ecological,landscape, cultural or other relatedvalue

Sanjay GandhiNational Park

8.5 km, NE from the locationof BMH

2 Areas which are important or sensitivefor ecological reasons - Wetlands,watercourses or other water bodies,coastal zone, biospheres, mountains,forests


Versova Creek

Mangroves


1.7 km, SSE from thelocation of BMH

930 m, SE,890 m, E and15 km, NNE

from the location of BMH3 Areas used by protected, important or

sensitive species of flora or fauna forbreeding, nesting, foraging, resting,over wintering, migration


Versova Creek

Mangroves



930 m, SE,890 m, E and15 km, NNE

from the location of BMH4 Inland, coastal, marine or underground

watersVersova Creek

Arabian Sea andIndian Ocean


Cable will pass through thesewaters

5 State, National boundaries None within 15 kmfrom location of

BMH

None within 15 km fromlocation of BMH

6 Routes or facilities used by the publicfor access to recreation or othertourist, pilgrim areas

Project site is located at Versova Beach. JP Roadis located 40.0 meters in the east direction from theBMH location. The beach is not used much forrecreational activities and is mainly used by thelocal people.

7 Defense installations Academy of SelfDefense

The proposed cableroute will cross a Firingpractice area offMumbai landing site.

320 m, NW


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8 Densely populated or built-up area

Aram NagarJeet Nagar

Joseph Patel Wadi

Project site is surroundedby various residentialcolonies

530 m, SE150 m, NE

440.0 meters, E

9 Areas occupied by sensitive man-made land uses (hospitals, schools,places of worship, communityfacilities)

Versova WelfareAssociation High

School

Kalsekar TibbiaHospital

Vimla Hospital

600 m, SE

350 m, NE

0.56 km, NNW10 Areas containing important, high

quality or scarce resources (groundwater resources, surface resources,forestry, agriculture, fisheries, tourism,minerals)

FisheriesA small fishermencommunity is locatedalong Versova Beach.

11 Areas already subjected to pollution orenvironmental damage. (those whereexisting legal environmental standardsare exceeded)

None SpecificProject site is not listedas critically polluted areaby CPCB.

12 Areas susceptible to natural hazardwhich could cause the project topresent environmental problems(earthquakes, subsidence, landslides,erosion, flooding or extreme oradverse climatic conditions)

Yes

The project site falls inSeismic Zone III. Area isprone to cyclones andTsunami.

Appendix II – Environmental Impact AssessmentReport

ASIA AFRICA EUROPE ONE (AAE-1)SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM AT

VERSOVA BEACH, MUMBAI,MAHARASHTRA

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTASSESSMENT REPORT

FEBRUARY 2015Submitted For: Submitted By:

RELIANCE JIO INFOCO MM LIMITED EQMS India Pvt. Ltd.3rd Floor, Marker Chambers IV, 304 & 305, 3RD Floor, Plot No. 16222, Nariman Point Rishabh Towers, Community Center

Karkarduma, Delhi -110 092Phone – 011-3000-3201


Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications LLC Proprietary & ConfidentialSubject to Clause 26 - Safeguarding of Information &Technology of the AAE-1 Contract

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction ...............................................................................................1-11.1. The Project ...................................................................................................1-11.2. Project Background.......................................................................................1-21.3. Need for the Project ......................................................................................1-3

1.3.1. Existing Similar Projects at Versova Beach...............................................1-31.3.2. Need Based Assessment for the Project...................................................1-41.3.3. Alternate Sites Analysis ............................................................................1-4

1.4. The Contractual Parties ................................................................................1-51.4.1. The Supplier .............................................................................................1-51.4.2. Project Proponent .....................................................................................1-5

1.5. Objective and Scope of EIA Study ................................................................1-51.6. Legal Framework ..........................................................................................1-61.7. Methodology of EIA Study.............................................................................1-8

1.7.1. Overview...................................................................................................1-81.7.2. Documents Review ...................................................................................1-81.7.3. Data Collection..........................................................................................1-81.7.4. Impact Assessment...................................................................................1-81.7.5. Environmental Management Plan .............................................................1-8

1.8. Structure of the EIA Report ...........................................................................1-82. Description of the Project .........................................................................2-1

2.1. Prelude .........................................................................................................2-12.2. Location of the Project ..................................................................................2-1

2.2.1. Submarine Cable Route Details ................................................................2-12.2.2. Submarine Cable Right-of-Way (ROW) in India ........................................2-22.2.3. Landing Site..............................................................................................2-22.2.4. Terrestrial Route and Terminal Station......................................................2-4

2.3. Category of the Project .................................................................................2-42.4. Submarine Cable Specification .....................................................................2-4

Submarine Cable and Repeaters ..........................................................................2-52.5. Pre-Commissioning Activities........................................................................2-82.6. Cable Laying Operations ..............................................................................2-8

2.6.1. Marine Installation – Operations................................................................2-82.7. Quality Assurance, Health and Safety.........................................................2-18

2.7.1. Quality Assurance...................................................................................2-182.7.2. Health and Safety ...................................................................................2-182.7.3. Communication.......................................................................................2-192.7.4. Daily Report ............................................................................................2-19

2.8. Timeframe of the Cable Lay Installation......................................................2-193. Baseline Environment ...............................................................................3-1

3.1. Prelude .........................................................................................................3-13.2. Site Description and Its Environs ..................................................................3-13.3. State of the Environment (Local)...................................................................3-3

3.3.1. Climate .....................................................................................................3-33.3.2. Oceanography ........................................................................................3-103.3.3. Geology ..................................................................................................3-113.3.4. Seismicity................................................................................................3-13



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3.3.5. Surface Temperature and Salinity ...........................................................3-143.3.6. Bottom Temperature and Salinity ............................................................3-153.3.7. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Mapping Survey....................................3-163.3.8. Noise Environment..................................................................................3-173.3.9. Air Quality ...............................................................................................3-173.3.10. Biological Environment............................................................................3-183.3.11. Fishing Activities near the Cable Route...................................................3-273.3.12. Dumping and Dredging Activities ............................................................3-293.3.13. Military Activities and Manoeuvre Areas..................................................3-293.3.14. Inland Passenger Water Trasnport Project and Versova Bandra Sea link3-293.3.15. Marine Protected Areas ..........................................................................3-29

4. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures ..............4-14.1. Prelude .........................................................................................................4-14.2. Anticipated Impacts and Associated Activities...............................................4-1

4.2.2. Construction Phase...................................................................................4-24.2.3. Operational Stage .....................................................................................4-6

4.3. Impact Assessment and Proposed Mitigation................................................4-74.4. Conclusion..................................................................................................4-12

5. Environment Management Plan ...............................................................5-15.1. Prelude .........................................................................................................5-15.2. The EMP.......................................................................................................5-1

5.2.1. Oil Pollution Management Plan .................................................................5-15.2.2. Garbage Management Plan ......................................................................5-25.2.3. Sewage Management Plan .......................................................................5-25.2.4. Air Emissions Management Plan...............................................................5-25.2.5. Noise Management Plan...........................................................................5-25.2.6. Bio-Diversity Management Plan ................................................................5-3

5.3. Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan ......................................5-35.4. Emergency Preparedness Plan ....................................................................5-45.5. Institutional Framework:................................................................................5-55.6. Disaster Management Plan...........................................................................5-5

6. Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................ i6.1. Summary .......................................................................................................... i

6.1.1. Beach Installation.......................................................................................... i6.1.2. Marine Installation......................................................................................... i6.1.3. Associated Risks........................................................................................... i

6.2. Conclusion........................................................................................................ i



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List of Tables

Table 1.1 : Need Based Assessment for the Project - Comparative Analysis ...............1-4Table 1.2 : Legislations Applicability – AAE-1 Submarine Cable System......................1-6Table 2.1 : Salient Features of the Project....................................................................2-2Table 2.2 : Minimum Survey Corridor Widths ...............................................................2-9Table 3.1 : Seasonal (Monsoon) Wind Variations.........................................................3-4Table 3.2 : Micro-Meteorological Conditions (Year 2014) .............................................3-9Table 3.3 : Five Years Monthly Rainfall Data for Mumbai District ...............................3-10Table 3.4 : Tidal Levels Related to Chart Datum for the Mumbai Harbour..................3-10Table 3.5 : Ambient Noise Quality Results (October – December, 2014)....................3-17Table 3.6 : Ambient Air Quality Status (October – December, 2014) ..........................3-17Table 3.7 : List of Faunal Species in and around Versova Beach Region, Mumbai ....3-19Table 3.8 : List of Phytoplanktons at Versova Beach..................................................3-22Table 3.9 : List of Microphyto-benthos at Versova Beach...........................................3-23Table 3.10 : List of Pelagic Fish Landings at Versova Beach, Mumbai .......................3-23Table 3.11 : List of Demersal Fish Landings at Versova Beach, Mumbai ...................3-24Table 4.1 : Potential Sources of Environmental Impacts...............................................4-1Table 4.2 : Waste Generated during Cable Laying Operation.......................................4-3Table 4.3 : Impact Assessment of the Project with proposed Mitigations......................4-8



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List of Figures

Figure 1.1 : Overview of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System .....................................1-2Figure 2.1 : Overview of AAE-1 Submarine Cable System ...........................................2-1Figure 2.2 : Location of BMH of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System in Versova Beach,

Mumbai .................................................................................................................2-3Figure 2.3 : A Typical Submarine Cable .......................................................................2-5Figure 2.4 : SL-17 Lightweight (LW) Cable...................................................................2-6Figure 2.5 : Repeater Drawing .....................................................................................2-7Figure 2.6 : Grapnel “Rope” Examples (Rennies and Giffords)...................................2-11Figure 2.7 Typical Flatfish Grapnel.............................................................................2-11Figure 2.8 : Towed Jetting Sled Operation .................................................................2-14Figure 2.9 : Towed Burial Plough Operation to be Utilized During Offshore

(<20 m Water Depth) Burial Operations ..............................................................2-16Figure 2.10 : Tentative Layout Plan for Typical Cable Landing System......................2-17Figure 3.1 : Site Features.............................................................................................3-3Figure 3.2 : Normal Dates for the Onset of the Summer Southwest Monsoon..............3-4Figure 3.3 : Normal Dates for the End of the Summer Southwest Monsoon .................3-5Figure 3.4 : Arabian Sea Mean Wind Force During the Winter Northeast Monsoon

(January)...............................................................................................................3-5Figure 3.5 : Arabian Sea Mean Wind Force During the Summer Southwest Monsoon

(July) .....................................................................................................................3-6Figure 3.6 : Percentage Frequency of Winds of Force 7 or more (July)........................3-7Figure 3.7 : Wind Rose Diagram for Santacruz Station, Mumbai..................................3-8Figure 3.8 : General Tectonics of the Arabian and Indian Plates ................................3-14Figure 3.9 : Sea Surface Temperature Distributions in Arabian Sea...........................3-15Figure 3.10 : Temperature Profile across Arabian Sea...............................................3-16Figure 3.11 Salinity Profile (psu) across Arabian Sea.................................................3-16Figure 3.12 : Typical Larger Fishing Vessel with Trawl Boards...................................3-28Figure 3.13 : Typical Small Fishing Vessel .................................................................3-28Figure 3.14 : MPA Sites lie well north of Versova .......................................................3-29



v

List of Annexure

Annexure I – Cable Laying Vessel Details

Annexure II – CRZ Report and Map

Annexure III – ZSI Report



vi

ABBREVIATION

Tyco Tyco TelecommunicationsAAE-1 Asia-Africa-Europe OneBMH Beach Man HoleBU Branching Unitcm CentimetersCPCB Central Pollution Control BoardCRZ Coastal Regulation ZoneDC Direct CurrentDDC Deck Decompression ChamberDG Diesel GeneratorDGPS Differential Global Positioning SystemEIA Environmental Impact AssessmentEMP Environmental Management PlanEQMS EQMS India Pvt. LtdGPS Global Positioning SystemIMO International Maritime OrganizationIPTV Internet Protocol TelevisionIPWT Inland Passenger Water TransportISO International Standards OrganisationLCE Linear Cable Enginesm meterMARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,

1973MCGM Municipal Corporation Greater MumbaiMEPC Marine Environment Protection CommitteeMoEFCC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeMOP Methods of ProceduresMPA Marine Protected AreaNAAQS National Ambient Air Quality StandardsNOx Oxides of NitrogenONGC Oil and Natural Gas CorporationPLGR Pre-Lay Grapnel RunPLIB Post-Lay Burial and InspectionPLSE Pre-Lay Shore EndPPE Personal Protective EquipmentQA Quality AssuranceROV Remote Operated VehicleROW Right-of-WayRPL Route Position ListSOx Sulphur DioxideSPCB State Pollution Control BoardSPM Suspended Particulate MatterTSS Total Suspended SolidsUSGS United States Geological SurveysWD Water Depth



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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Project

1. “Asia Africa Europe One (AAE-1) Submarine Cable System”, is a 177 Terrabit-submarine cable system spanning 20,000km submarine cable linking South Asia toAfrica and Europe via the Middle East. AAE-1 will be the largest sub-sea cablesystem connecting Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE,Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France.

2. The cable will terminate in India in Mumbai at a Beach Man Hole (BMH) proposed tobe located at a beach road connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front ofHarshvardhan Society.

3. The AAE-1 Submarine Cable System is a consortium of telecom providers to deploya new 20,000 km submarine cable system linking from South Asia to Africa andEuropevia Middle East. Seventeen major telecom operators have signed theconstruction agreement for the continent-spanning AAE-1 Cable System. TheConsortium consistsBritish Telecom, OTEG, Telecom Egypt, Mobily,DjiboutiTelecom, Telecom Yemen, PTCL, Omantel, Etisalat, Ooredoo, RelianceJioInfocomm Ltd. (RJIL), China Unicom, TOT, Time.Com, TOT, Viettel and HKT(PCCW Global). The Consortium signed the construction and maintenanceagreement in Hong Kong on January 27th, 2014. The AAE-1 cable construction isdue to be completed in 2016.

4. The Contract for the supply and installation of AAE-1 submarine cable system hasbeen awarded to Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications LLC (TE SubCom)TESubCom shall be responsible for installing cable and repeaters and will also beresponsible for project management, system design and commissioning and marineoperations.

5. In conjunction with this contract, TE SubCom has retained Atlantis ConsultancyandEQMS India Pvt. Ltd. (EQMS) to manage the environmental permitting process forthe cable landing in Mumbai (India). In India, the consortium partner is RelianceJioInfocomm Limited (RJIL), which, on behalf of AAE-1 Consortium, will be the legalentity that holds all permits associated with the AAE-1 cable system in India.

6. Figure 1.1 depicts the overview of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System.

This Chapter provides background information on the project need, reasons forconducting the EIA, and overview of the project. The scope and EIA methodologyadopted in the preparation of the EIA report is also described in this chapter. It discussesthe identification of the project and the project proponent; a brief description of thenature, size, and location of the project; and its importance to the country and region.



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(Source:TE SubCom)

Figure 1.1 : Overview of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System

7. AAE-1 Submarine Cable System will provide excellent business growth opportunitiesas it will help the current and future high capacity requirements from the surroundingareas of the Region as well as next-generation Internet applications.

8. In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and ClimateChange (MoEFCC), the project requires NOC under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)Notification, 2011. The application for CRZ Clearance also requires an EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) report for the project. This report provides a projectoverview and summarises the study undertaken to assess the type and severity ofany environmental impacts associated with the proposed submarine cable installationas well as the proposed environmental mitigation measures recommended tominimise any adverse impacts on the environment.

9. This report covers the submarine cable route within the Indian Coast up to the beachlanding at Versova Beach in Mumbai and the construction of BMH.

1.2. Project Background

10. The fibre optic option is the most cost-effective one and the one that is mostcompatible with the rest of the global network of transmission infrastructure. Withoutfibre optic connections to the rest of the world, internet services development andintegration into the global information economy are achievable only withunnecessarily high cost, greater difficulty and more risk than need be the case giventhe choice of technology available.



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11. In 2013, the European Investment Bank estimated that the international transmissioncapacity of submarine fibre optic cable is being 7 – 10 times cheaper than currentprices for satellite-based links.

12. An alternative to marine routing of the system is a terrestrial route. However, inpractice the installation costs of a land-based system would be far higher than themarine option. Moreover, for terrestrial systems permitting is complex and timeconsuming and cable faults are more frequent. In addition to these practical andsecurity issues, there are clearly complicated potential environmental and socialimpacts to be expected from terrestrial cable burial for a system with a length ofseveral thousand km.

13. Most carriers today therefore will prefer submarine fibre optic systems for long haulinternational transmission. This is confirmed by the continued successful existence ofseveral precedents for the development of such systems to serve India’stelecommunications needs.

14. TE SubCom shall be responsible for installing cable and repeaters and will also beresponsible for project management, system design and commissioning and marineoperations.

1.3. Need for the Project

15. The proposed AAE-1 cable system will enhance telecommunications connectivity,providing additional capacity and speed for international traffic. It is a keyinfrastructural improvement that will assist the State and India both economically andsocially. It will enhance communications security, by diversifying the communicationsnetworks to improve the likelihood of continued connectivity during natural disastersor failures of other systems.

16. The AAE-1 cable system will contribute significantly to growth in the involvedcountries and will eventually connect more than 40% of the world’s population.

17. Globally, many advantages have been acknowledged for high-speed, high-volumeinternational and domestic connectivity including:

Overcoming geographical and financial barriers to a wide range of educational,cultural and recreational opportunities and resources,

Enabling provision of medical care to un-served and underserved populationsthrough remote diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and consultations withspecialists,

Promoting economic development and re-vitalisation through e-commerce,

Enabling electronic government to help streamline peoples interaction withgovernment agencies and provide information about government policies,procedures, benefits and programs,

Providing access to new telecommunications technologies such as Voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP).

Extending and enhancing opportunities for business process outsourcing,international online collaborations, meetings through videoconferencing, digitalmedia recordings and transmissions.

1.3.1. Existing Similar Projects at Versova Beach18. Two similar projects are found to be present at Versova Beach and are listed below:



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Europe India Gateway (EIG) Submarine Cable Landing by Bharti Airtel Limited

Gulf Bridge International Cable System (GBICS) Submarine Cable Landing bySifi Technologies Ltd.

1.3.2. Need Based Assessment for the Project19. A comparative analysis has been carried out for the project taking into account

certain important factors – environmental, technical and socio-economic, to assessthe importance of the project. Table 1.1 presents the summary of the attributesimpacted by the project.

Table 1.1 : Need Based Assessment for the Project - Comparative Analysis

FactorsConsidered

Without Projec t With Project

Environment All the biological and physicalparameters of the environmentremain unaffected.

Short term impacts of negligiblesignificance may occur during the projectimplementation. Impact assessmentstudy for the project has been carriedout to assess the impacts andaccordingly mitigation measures and anEnvironmental Management Plan (EMP)is proposed.

Society/People Data transferability, security andstorage, hurdles in the field ofadvancement, will persist.

There is a need of bringing inadvanced and quickercommunication technologies tostrengthen the existingtelecommunication services inCountry.

The project will enhancetelecommunications connectivity,providing additional capacity and speedfor international traffic.

A key infrastructural improvement thatwill assist the State and India, botheconomically and socially.

Will enhance communications security,by diversifying the communicationsnetworks to improve the likelihood ofcontinued connectivity during naturaldisasters or failures of other systems.

1.3.3. Alternate Sites Analysis20. TE SubCom has two existing similar projects Versova Beach:

Europe India Gateway (EIG) Submarine Cable Landing by BhartiAirtel Limited

Gulf Bridge International Cable System (GBICS) Submarine Cable Landing bySifi Technologies Ltd.

21. Another similar project “Bay of Bengal Gateway (BBG) Submarine Cable SystemLanding”by M/s Vodafone South Ltd. has been granted CRZ Clearance fromMoEFCC recently.

22. Therefore, Versova Beach was the preferred route of cable laying considered by TESubCom. Hence, an alternative site analysis was not carried out.



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1.4. The Contractual Parties

1.4.1. The Supplier23. TE SubCom (the Supplier) has been contracted to undertake the cable

manufacturing and installation of the AAE-1Cable System.

1.4.2. Project Proponent24. In India, the project proponent of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System in Mumbai is

RJIL.

25. RJIL is an Indian Internet Access (broadband) and Telecommunications Companyheadquartered in Mumbai, India. RJIL is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), India’s largest private sector company, is the first telecom operator to hold panIndia Unified License. RJIL holds spectrum in1800 MHz (across 14 circles) and2300 MHz (across 22 circles) capable of offering fourth generation (4G) wirelessservices. RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800 MHzand TDD-LTE on 2300 MHz through an integrated ecosystem.

1.5. Objective and Scope of EIA Study

26. The purpose of this EIA is to document the assessment of the environmentalconsequences arising from the installation of AAE-1 Submarine Cable System, inMumbai, India. This EIA is structured in accordance with the recently developedenvironmental assessment guidelines by MoEFCC that comply with Indianlegislations and MoEFCC safeguard policies being adopted for preserving theenvironment.

27. The EIA for the proposed submarine cable landing has been conducted to identifyand minimise the adverse environmental impacts, if any, associated withconstruction, installation, and operation of the fiber optic cable network. The fourbasic objectives of the EIA are the following:

Provide information about the general environment near the cable route andcable landing site as baseline data;

Determine the magnitude of potential environmental concerns to ensure thatappropriate consideration is given to the environmental parameters when layingor installing the cable;

Identify potentially required mitigation measures, if any; and

Develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

28. To meet the objectives of the present study, the EIA was carried out with a suitablemethodology focused on the following:

Review of applicable laws and guidelines;

Collection of environmental data from primary and secondary sources;

Interaction with key stakeholders;

Interaction with other members of the Project Team, and;

Project details provided by the Team.



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29. The EIA report, including the EMP, was prepared in accordance with theGovernment’s requirement as per the Generic Structure of Environmental ImpactAssessment given in EIA Notification, 2006 by the MoEFCC1.

1.6. Legal Framework

30. Table 1.2 lists the legislations applicable to the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System.

Table 1.2 : Legislations Applicability – AAE-1 Submarine Cable System

1http://envfor.nic.in/legis/env_clr.htm

Legislation Key Requirement Applicability Reason andStage ofApplicabilityor non -applicability

GrantingAgency , ifapplica ble

Type ofpermit andIndicativetime framefor grant ofpermission ,ifapplicable

ResponsibilityAnd Stage ofApplicability ifapplicable

A. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

I. Coastal Zone Management Legislation

CoastalRegulationZone ( CRZ),2011, underEnvironment(Protection)Act, 1986

Defines the areawhere developmentactivities areregulated.

Applicable BMH andCable layingoperationactivity willhappen withthis regulatedzone and fallswithinpermissibleactivity as perCRZregulation.

State CRZAuthorityfollowed byMoEFCC,Governmentof India

NOC fromCRZAuthority

Project Ownerand prior tocommencementof BMHconstructionand cable layingactivity.

II. Environmental Protection Legislation

Air (preventionand control ofpollution) Act,1981 and rulesthere under

An Act to prevent andcontrol of AirPollution

Limitedapplicability(Applicableonly forambient airqualityperspective)

Since no airpolluting plantis proposed tobe installed,theapplicabilitywill be limitedto constructionstage only andfor maintainingair quality ofthe area as perNationalAmbient airqualitystandards

NotApplicable

NotRequiredsince no hotmix or airpollutingplant isproposed tobe set up

Contractor



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Noise Pollution(RegulationAnd Control)Act, 2000

To comply withAmbient NoiseStandards for differentarea/zone

Applicable forthe durationofconstructiondue togeneration ofconstructionnoise

PrimarilyApplicableduringconstructionStage

NotApplicable

No specificpermissionis required.To ensurecomplianceto theAmbientNoisestandard forresidentialareas.

Contractor

B. NOT APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

I. Environmental Protection Legislation

Environmental(Protection)Act, 1986 andrules thereunder includingEIANotification,2006.amended2009

Requires priorenvironmentalclearance forspecified project.

NotApplicable

BMHconstruction orcable layingare notincluded in thelist of projectrequiringenvironmentalclearanceappended tothis EIAnotification.

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable

Water(preventionand control ofpollution) Act,1974 and rulesthere under

An Act to Prevent andControl of WaterPollution

NotApplicable

No liquid wasteis likely to bedischargedfrom theprojectactivities.

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable

HazardousWastes(Management,Handling andTransBoundaryMovement,)Rules, 2008

Protection to thegeneral public againstimproper handling,storage and disposalof hazardous wastes

NotApplicable

No Hazardouswastes arelikely to begeneratedduringconstruction oroperationstage

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable

The BioMedical Waste(Managementand Handlingrules) 1998

To control storage,transportation anddisposal of BioMedical Waste.

NotApplicable

Very shortdurationactivities. Nomedical wasteis likely to begenerated.

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable

II. Forests Conservation and Wild Life Protection Legislation

Forest(conservation)Act, 1980 andrules thereunder

Restriction on the de-reservation of forestsor use of forest landfor non-forest purpose

NotApplicable

No Diversion ofForest Land isinvolved

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable

Wildlife(protection)Act, 1972 andrules thereunder

No person shalldestroy, exploit orremove any wild lifeincluding forestproduce from asanctuary/Nationalpark or destroy ordamage or divert the

NotApplicable

No Such areais located inand around theproject area.

NotApplicable

NotApplicable

Not Applicable



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1.7. Methodology of EIA Study

1.7.1. Overview31. The Scope of Work (SOW) for the EIA study was developed in line with the EIA

Notification, 2006 by the MoEFCC. The overall study was carried out in phases asdescribed below.

1.7.2. Documents Review32. Technical reports, project information (including the project plan), execution

schedules, and associated details were provided by Tyco. These reports werereviewed to identify the potential environmental aspects and impacts associated withproject activities. The project’s environmental issues were studied to characteriseand quantify the various environmental releases and waste streams that would begenerated from the project during its life cycle.

33. Technical consultations were held with project proponents and their contractorsthroughout the review process to better understand project activities. EIA studiesconducted for similar projects were reviewed. In addition, the rationale for theselection of all critical project processes and technologies were reviewed. The controland management schemes proposed for marine discharge, air emissions,wastewaters, solid wastes, and noise were also reviewed.

1.7.3. Data Collection34. Primary data collection has been done by carrying out site visits by EIA and Marine

Experts. Collected data has been verified with the available secondary information,i.e. published documents from government departments, non-governmentinstitutions, and previous studies in this region.

1.7.4. Impact Assessment35. The significant environmental aspects were reviewed with respect to project

activities. The qualitative assessment technique was used to determine the natureand magnitude of these impacts. The anticipated impacts on the environment werethen rated accordingly in terms of no impact, minor to moderate impact, andsignificant impact.

1.7.5. Environmental Management Plan36. The EMP has been developed to minimise and mitigate all significant and minor to

moderate impacts to acceptable levels. The EMP discusses all phases of the project(i.e., construction, and operation). An environmental monitoring program has beendeveloped to ensure proper implementation of the EMP.

1.8. Structure of the EIA Report

37. This EIA report has been prepared on the basis of available primary data (on sitesurvey/monitoring) and secondary (literature) data. The EIA report contains project

habitat of any wildanimal by any actwhatsoever or divert,stop or enhance theflow of water into oroutside the sanctuary,except under and inaccordance with apermit granted by theChief Wild LifeWarden



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features, baseline environmental conditions, assessment of environmental impacts,the formulation of mitigation measures and an EMP.

38. The report hassix chapters. The structure of the EIA Report, with necessary tables,drawings, and annexure is as follows:

Chapter 1: Introduction

39. This Chapter provides background information on the project need, reasons forconducting the EIA, and overview of the project. The scope and EIA methodologyadopted in the preparation of the EIA report is also described in this chapter. Itdiscusses the identification of the project and the project proponent; a briefdescription of the nature, size, and location of the project; and its importance to thecountry and region.

Chapter 2: Proj ect Description

40. This Chapter deals with the project details of AAE-1 Submarine Cable Systemincluding location, route identification, submarine cable specification, marineinstallation operations, quality assurance and health and safety.

Chapter 3: Descrip tion of the Environment

41. This Chapter describes the baseline environmental conditions around the project sitefor various environmental attributes, within 500 meters of radial zone, which istermed as the study area. Topography, soil, water, meteorology, air, noise, and landconstitute the physical environment, whereas flora and fauna constitute the biologicalenvironment. Baseline environmental conditions are based on the field studiescarried out during October through December, 2014, around the project site.

Chapter 4: Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

42. This Chapter describes the overall impacts of the proposed project activities andunderscores the areas of concern for which mitigation measures should beimplemented.

Chapter 5: Environmental Management Plan

43. This Chapter details out the management plan formulated for ensuring theenvironmental health and safety protection during and after commissioning of project.

Chapter 6: Summary and Conclusion

44. This Chapter provides the summary and conclusions of the EIA study for theproposed project, with overall justification for project implementation and adescription of how adverse effects will be mitigated.



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2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

2.1. Prelude

45. “Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) Submarine Cable System”, is a 20,000 km submarinecable linking South Asia to Africa and Europe via the Middle East. AAE-1 cable willlink 15 countries:, Malaysia, , Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE,Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France. The cable willterminate in India in Mumbai at a Beach Man Hole (BMH) proposed to be located at abeach road connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front of Harshvardhan Society.Figure 2.1 presents the overview of the route of AAE-1 Submarine Cable System.

(Source: TE SubCom)

Figure 2.1 : Overview of AAE-1 Submarine Cable System

2.2. Location of the Project

2.2.1. Submarine Cable Route Details46. The AAE-1Submarine Cable System, spanning around 20,000 km, will link South

Asia to Africa and Europe via the Middle East with connections reaching out to 15countries namely;, Malaysia, , Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE,Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France. The cable will

This chapter deals with the project details of AAE-1 Submarine Cable System includinglocation, route identification, submarine cable specification, marine installationoperations, quality assurance and health and safety.



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terminate in Mumbai at a Beach Man Hole (BMH) proposed to be located at a beachroad connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front of Harshvardhan Society. Sizeof the BMH proposed is 4m x 2m x 2m.This is the most preferred route option forcable laying in this segment and landing at Versova Beach.

2.2.2. Submarine Cable Right-of-Way (ROW) in India47. While the approximate ROW has been set, the precise route only will be confirmed

based on the detailed route survey. Based on the information assessed as part ofthis EIA study, the proposed route does not traverse or impact any known sites ofenvironmental importance such as coral reef, seagrass, marine protected areas suchas mangroves, important fish breeding grounds, etc. The majority of the cable routein Indian waters is within India’s Economic Zone.

2.2.3. Landing Site48. The proposed landing site for the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System is located at

Versova Beach, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The cable will land in a BMH proposed to belocated at a beach road connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front ofHarshvardhan Society. The global positioning system (GPS) of the centre of the BMHis 19º 7’ 59.52” (19.1332º) N and 72º 48’ 41.148” (72.81143º) E. The landing point inMumbai at Versova Beach is shown in Figure 2.2. The salient features of the Projectare listed in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 : Salient Features of the Project

Particulars DescriptionLanding Site BMH proposed to be located at a beach road

connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in frontof Harshvardhan Society

Longitude and Latitude 19º 7’ 59.52” N72º 48’41.148” E

Land status Beach – Recreational AreaNearby Residential area JeetNagar (150.0 meters, NE)

Aram Nagar (530.0 meters, SE)Joseph Patel Wadi (440.0 meters, E)

Nearest Road JP Road ( 40.0 meters, E)Nearest Railway Station ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus (21.65 km, SE)

Vile Parle Railway Station (5.09 km, SE)Kurla Railway Station (10.38 km, SE)

Nearest Airport ChhatrapatiShivaji International Airport(7.71 km, SE)



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Source: BMH coordinates provided by TE SubCom and superimposed on Google Earth Imagery

Figure 2.2 : Location of BMH of the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System in VersovaBeach, Mumbai



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2.2.4. Terrestrial Route and Terminal Station49. The BMH is proposed to be located at a beach road connecting JP Road to Versova

Beach, in front of Harshvardhan Society. The BMH is located on the access roadbetween CTS No. 1059 and CTS No. 1060 and the cable shall pass through CTS No.1047 on the Versova Beach. The Cable Landing Station (CLS) will be located in theGDC House in Santacruz. The coordinates of the CLS are 19º 5’ 11.616”N and 72º50’ 6.864” E. The CLS is located at a distance of approximately 10.5 km from theBMH.

50. The scope of the present EIA study is limited upto the BMH. The terrestrial route fromthe BMH to the Terminal Station is not covered under any environmental regulationwhich requires an environmental study.

2.3. Category of the Project

51. The proposed project does not require environmental clearance with reference to the“List of projects or activities requiring prior environmental clearance” mentioned in theSchedule of EIA Notification, 2006, by MoEFCC. However, as the Coastal RegulationZone (CRZ) Notification is applicable, the environmental study was conducted inaccordance with CRZ Notification, 2011 as well as EIA Notification, 2006. Theproposed BMH lies in CRZ II and the cable from the sea shore to the BMH locationwill be laid in the CRZ I(B) area.

2.4. Submarine CableSpecification

52. The composition of fibre optic cables varies depending on the end use and type ofinstallation. A typical submarine cable with a similar expected range of specificationsas the AAE-1 Cable System is detailed below. The fibre optic cable has a core of tinyglass fibres, and the thickness of each fibre will be equivalent to that of a human hair.A single cable may contain between 6 and 24 glass fibres that are enclosed within asilica glass coating; a few sets of such silica glass cables are placed within apolyethylene or fibreglass pipe. The hard polyethylene outer jacket surrounds thesilica glass cables to provide protection for these core cables. On the outside of thepolyethylene jacket, there is a copper conductor, which is covered by anotherprotective polyethylene jacket and a protective armour layer reinforced with steelwires. Suitable outer protection and cable containment are provided usingpolypropylene yarn interwoven with hard polyethylene material. A typical submarinecable is depicted in Figure 2.3.



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Figure 2.3 : A Typical Submarine Cable Types

Submarine Cable and Repeaters53. The submarine cable to be installed in the project will be TE SubCom SL-17 cable.

The SL-17 lightweight cable has been shown in Figure 2.4



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Figure 2.4 : SL-17 Lightweight (LW) Cable

54. The external protection of the cable comprises naturally occurring bitumen (asphalt)as a compound to adhere the outer polyethylene roving to the armour wires on thearmoured shallow water cables. No form of additive to prevent bio-degradation oranti-fouling is used in the cable‟s outermost layers. The other cable components incontact with the sea are the galvanized steel armour wires and the polyethylenesheath, which also contain no additives harmful to marine life. No oil fills are usedwithin the cable structure.

55. Listed from the center of the cable outward, the following materials are used in TESubCom Loose Tube SL Cables.

Unit fiber structure:

o Silica fibers with UV-cured acrylate coating

o Aliphatic hydrocarbon gel

o Polybutylene terephthalate tube

Strength member and power conductor:

o Steel wire

o Cured two-part polyurethane water blocking compound

o Copper

Insulation:

o An adhesive which is a copolymer of polyethylene and ethylene acrylicacid

o Medium density polyethylene* (Dow 1184)

For SPA cables:

o Steel tape coated with an adhesive which is a copolymer of polyethyleneand ethylene acrylic acid



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o Steel wire


o Copper

Insulation:



For SPA cables:




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o Steel wire


o Copper

Insulation:



For SPA cables:




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o High density polyethylene containing carbon black* (Dow-DFNA-0037-BK,Equistar HDPE-9305TC)

For armored cables:

o Polypropylene yarn

o Galvanized steel wire

o Nylon yarn*

o Air-blown asphalt* (Solar Compounds Mix 96)

o Calcium carbonate*

Cable and joint markers:

o Polyethylene terephthalate tape with acrylic adhesive*

o Paint, primary components are N-butyl acetate and cellulose nitrate*

Joints and repairs (some or all of the following):

o Copper-beryllium alloy*

o Neoprene*

o Galvanized steel*

o Polyolefin heat shrink tubing*

o Vinyl tape with rubber adhesive*

o Low density polyethylene*

o Cured epoxy*

* Materials normally in contact with seawater.

56. Eco-toxicity of Polyethylene Copolymers and Asphalt Coating on Armored cables arenot expected to cause acute or chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms due to theextremely low water solubility and high molecular weight of these materials. Theseclaims are supported by aquatic toxicity studies and data that are available for reviewupon request.

57. Repeaters will be provided in the cable system for receiving the signals andretransmitting it at a higher level and/or higher power, so that the signals can coverlonger distances. Schematic drawing of repeater has been presented in Figure 2.5.

Figure 2.5 : Repeater Drawing



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2.5. Pre-Commissioning Activities

58. The pre-commissioning activities for a submarine cable system include the followingtasks:

Route study and desktop review;

Identification of feasible ROW for the cable system;

Marine route survey; and

Project permitting.

59. Subsequent to the above tasks, a project-specific cable laying operation plan will befollowed when commissioning the cable system. Critical follow-on activities of pre-commissioning (cable laying) include Marine Installation – Operations, Shore EndOperations, Main Lay Operations – Cable Deployment, and Post-Lay Burial andInspection.

2.6. Cable Laying Operations

2.6.1. Marine Installation – Operations60. TE SubCom is responsible for all cable loading, testing and jointing operations during

the installation of AAE-1 Cable System. The installation of AAE-1 will be accuratelymeasures and documented, indicating the position of repeaters, splice boxes andtransitions, during the load and the laying operations. Cableship which will be usedfor cable installation and will be equipped with full cable stowage, handling, laying,recovery, and repair capabilities that meet the latest industry standards. Cabletension and payout speed will be continuously measured during the installation usingcalibrated equipment. DGPS navigation and other operation support facilities will beutilized for the requirements of the project.

61. The marine installation comprises of the following constituent operations:

Marine Survey Operations

Route Clearance (RC) of out-of-service (OOS) cables

Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) operations

Shore end and Pre-Laid Shore End (PLSE) installation operations inclusive ofbeach works

Main lay and cable burial (ploughing) operations

Post-Lay Inspection and Burial (PLIB)

Specialized navigational services

62. Marine installation scope and methodology is based on the agreed Straight LineDiagram (SLD). The final scope of the marine installation is subject to the completionand review of the final route survey report.

2.6.1.1 Marine Survey Operations

63. The AAE-1 submarine cable route survey is required to provide information for use inthe engineering, construction and subsequent maintenance of the submarine cablesystem. The primary objective of the survey is to ascertain a suitable route todetermine exact cable length, cable design, deployment and survivability of the cable



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network. In addition, the survey will serve as a subsequent database for maintenanceand repair of the cable.

64. A detailed survey of the AAE-1 route will be undertaken by the marine surveycontractor appointed by TE SubCom.

65. Swath bathymetry system shall be utilized to obtain continuous depth recordingsalong the center-line of the proposed cable route. Sufficient survey lines shall betaken to provide the required survey corridor. Additional sounding lines may berequired to develop any features that may be encountered. Table 2.2 presents theminimum survey corridor widths.

Table 2.2 : Minimum Survey Corridor Widths

Deep Water 2 x water depthShallow Water 250 m for up to 500 m water depth

500 m for up to 1000 m water depthInshore Area (small boat) 250 m at landing point out to 15 m water

depth

66. Cable route survey shall include:

Landing site survey : Carried out for a 10m wide corridor centered on proposedcable route. The landing point (water’s edge), BMH and land alter courses will bedefinitively positioned by a portable Differential Global Positioning System(DGPS) satellite receiver.

Diver swim survey : Depth range is 0-3 m (or to 1km maximum from shore) toestablish a 10m wide corridor. Survey extends from the landing site surveyoutward to overlap the small boat survey by at least 25m. A diver swim rope with25m graduations will be positioned along the route. Bathymetry will be measuredby diver depth gauge at each 25m graduation. Diver shall have capability tocollect data, including video, where necessary. Geomorphology may bedetermined through use of underwater video and bar probing at each 25mgraduation.

Small boat survey : The area inshore of the safe working draft limits of theprimary survey vessel will be accurately surveyed with a small craft using single-beam or multi-beam echosounder, side scan, and sub-bottom equipment.Seabed samples to aid interpretation of sub-bottom profiler data may be obtainedusing a grab sampler.

Shallow water survey : Depth range is between 15m and 1000m. A continuousbathymetric swath, along with side scan sonar imagery, and sub-bottom profilewill be obtained, centered on the preliminary route and along all wing linesneeded to complete the swath coverage. Seabed samples will be taken to aidinterpretation of the sub-bottom profiler data – e.g. average may be 1 sample per5km for areas of proposed burial.

Deep water survey : Depth range >1000m. Extends from the limit of the nearshore survey to the full ocean depth of the submarine cable route. Utilizing deep-sea swath bathymetry surveying systems, continuous depth recordings centeredalong the primary route will be obtained.



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Cable crossing survey : Identification and chart all active and out-of-servicecables located within the survey swath. This will be accomplished by the useeither marine magnetometer or by use of a Side Scan Sonar.

Pipeline crossing surve y: Identification of orientation and depth of burial of allpipelines crossed using a magnetometer and sub-bottom profiler along the entirelength of the cable within the survey swath.

2.6.1.2 Route Clearance of Out-of-Service (OOS) Cables

67. To minimize risks to the submarine cable or burial equipment, out-of-service (OOS)communication and power cables that cross the cable route, within planned burialsections, will be cut and cleared prior to the commencement of burial operations.Prior to any cutting or clearance of OOS cables, permission to cut and clear theexisting cable is sought from the owner of the OOS cable, if practicable. If permissionis not formally granted, the OOS cable must be treated as an active cable.Depending on the quantity of cables to be cleared, a cable ship may be required forcable recovery. Otherwise for just a few cables, a vessel of opportunity can beutilized.

68. OOS cables crossing the cable route within planned burial sections are cut andcleared to provide adequate clearance for installing and maintaining the systemcable. A target corridor of 250m in up to 500m water depth or 500m in up to 1000mwater depth (in line with survey corridor widths but dependent on local operatingconditions) centred on the burial route will be established at the OOS cable crossing.Cable ends left on the seabed will be deployed in a manner that minimizes thechances of future entanglements by other seabed users. In the event that a chartedOOS cable cannot be located/ detected, the route clearance tools shall be pulledthrough the seabed to ensure that a clear corridor exists. Route clearance shallcommence at 15m water depth and is only required for areas of planned burial. Forwater depths shallower than 15m, clearance operations shall be performed only ifnecessary to support burial. Recovered cable will be carried on-board untildischarged at proper disposal facility convenient to the operations.

2.6.1.3 Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) Operations

69. Immediately prior to the burial operations, a PLGR will be performed along the cableburial route. TE SubComwill make reasonable efforts to clear the seabed of debris,including wires or hawsers, chains, ropes, fishing equipment, etc., which may havebeen deposited along the route. Debris recovered during these operations will bedischarged ashore upon completion of the operations. The operations do notguarantee that all sea bed debris will be removed from the burial route, and excludesthe clearance of significant sub-surface debris. A specially mobilized vessel willperform PLGR operations. The vessel will have the following features:

Capable of good slow speed position control and bollard pull.

Sufficient deck space to mount a simple winch, guides and a stern roller to deploythe grapnel(s) and stow any recovered debris.

70. Operations commence at the 15m water depth contour and extend offshore. Theinshore portion of the route (shallower than 15m water depth) is cleared dependingon the individual requirements of the inshore burial equipment. The operationinvolves the towing a grapnel, or an array of grapnels, along the centreline of theroute throughout the length of the route to be ploughed. Figure 2.6 and 2.7 presentsthe typical rope and flatfish grapnels. As the vessel moves along the route the tow



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tension is monitored to indicate when an obstruction has been engaged. Thegrapnels are routinely recovered and inspected at minimum intervals of 15km alongthe route. A single tow is made along the route; however, areas with high marineactivity or where large amounts of debris are recovered, additional runs will be made.

71. The PLGR vessel will use a DGPS positioning system. The route followed by thePLGR will be maintained as close as practicable to the selected planned burial routeand always within the swathe of the route survey.

Figure 2.6 : Grapnel “Rope” Examples (Rennies and Giffords)

Figure 2.7 Typical Flatfish Grapnel

2.6.1.4 Shore End Operations

72. Shore end services will be provided at the landing site and will include the following:

Preparation of a detailed operational plan, based on the findings of the survey,with site visits as necessary

Provision of an advance party to establish the beach equipment and to preparethe beach



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Installation of the shore end section of the sea cable and support of cable vesseloperations

Provision for supply and application of articulated pipe starting at the BMH andextending through the surf zone – extent is subject to findings of marine survey

Burial of the cable, from the BMH where the water table and beach materialpermits. Burial to 2m on the beach will be performed with an excavator andlimited to depth of loose sediment over underlying rock. Beach burial willtransition to offshore burial in a gradual taper commencing at LWM

Provision of adequate cable slack allowing for future installations or repairs

Localization and positioning of in-service cables in inshore waters plusarrangements with owners

Removal of out-of-service cables on the beach or crossing the shore end cableroute, as necessary, allowing for trenching and cable placement activities

Reinstatement of the site to a condition equal to original site conditions

73. The shore end in Versova Beach (Mumbai) will be landed through Pre-Lay ShoreEnds (PLSEs). Post-lay, articulated pipe (duct) approximately 800 m in length will beprovided as additional protection on the approach to the landing site.

2.6.1.5 Landing Description

74. BMH: The BMH is a concrete chamber situated below ground, above the high-waterlevel, in the coastal area. On the beach the cable is typically installed in articulatedpipe with outside diameter on the order of 20cm, in a trench 2m deep dug previouslyby equipment such as backhoe. The installation is achieved by the cableship orshallow water vessel stationing offshore near its minimum working depth – amessenger line is passed ashore and a winch located near the beach manhole pullsthe cable through the trench and into the manhole. There may be some localised,short term, disruption to recreational activities but after installation beachgoers aretypically unaware of the cable and it has no effect on their activities. Size of theproposed BMH is 4 m x 2 m x 2 m.

75. Ocean Ground Bed : An ocean ground bed (OGB) is a collection of electrodes,typically buried at least 2m below ground level, which provides the return path for theelectrical circuit that powers the repeaters (amplifiers) in the submarine cable system.The OGB is typically located near the BMH. TE SubCom shall install the OGBs andalso supply and install the ground cable extending from the BMH to the OGB.

76. Land Cable : In order to complete the link between the submarine cable at the BMHand the cable station, land cable will be installed in Purchaser provided conduit alongthe terrestrial route. The submarine cable is connected to land cable at the BMH. TESubComshall supply and install inner duct and cable, within Purchaser provided duct.

77. The AAE-1 landing at Mumbai is characterized by very long flat area of shallow waterwhich requires installation of a pre-laid shore end (PLSE). On completion of thelaying of the pre-laid shore end cable, the end will be streamed on an anchor for laterrecovery by the main lay vessel.

78. The PLSE burial requirement usually requires a target depth of 1.0 m.It is expectedthat the burial tool to be used for this work will likely be the jetting sled.Equipment tobe mobilized may include the following:



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Cable tank –this will be a circular tank made of individual stanchions composed ofC12 x 20 channels with a central cone large enough to ensure that the minimumcable bending radius is not compromised. The final diameter adjustable anddepends on the total length and type of cable(s) to be installed.

Cable tower with cable transporter on top for loading the cable.

Two linear cable engines (LCE) (one for redundant backup). The LCE will haveinstrumentation for monitoring cable count (amount of cable paid out or taken in),cable pay-out speed, and in-line cable tension.

1.5-m bend radius stern chute.

Cable highway(s) to support cable as it travels from cable tank through the LCEand over the stern chute

Two deck generators (one for redundant back up).

6 m CONEX rigging van complete with tools, rigging, materials, and consumablesto support cable laying and burial operations.

Small (5 to 7.5 m) support boat

Crane for launching and recoveringthe plowand the small boat.

DGPS with Coastal Oceanographic’sHypak, Winfrog, or similar navigation systemwith 100% redundancy. There will be redundant systems. There also will beremote monitors and positioning transponders for the anchor handling tug and/orany other support vessels.

Burial vehicle – pending survey results, this will most likely be a towed jet sledutilising surface supplied water. Included with this sled will be a tow winch, aninstrument umbilical, and water hose(s).

Diving equipment – surface-supplied diving. Given the expected water depths, nodeck decompression chamber (DDC) will be provided. No decompression divingwill be done on the project.

Support boat –. An anchor handling tug that also will tow the barge to the siteswill support of the 4-point moored barge.

Welding and oxygen/acetylene cutting equipment.

79. Typical barge and barge equipment are depicted in Figure 2.8. The jetting sled buriesthe cable utilising seawater jetting systems. The jets are directed into the seabednear the burial tool. The seabed is emulsified where the cable is to be buried and atrench is formed. The jetting system slowly moves along the seabed following therequired cable track, cutting the trench into which the cable is placed. It should benoted that the surrounding seawater is used for the jetting system (i.e., nothing alienis introduced into the environment) and the jetting systems do not remove anyseabed materials from the area. The seabed materials are moved to form the trenchduring the jetting operation and they naturally re-form and “backfill” the trench afterthe burial tool has passed. Therefore, there is no material excavated or removedfrom the site. On average, approximately 0.5 ha of bottom material will be disturbedduring jetting burial per 1 km.

80. The fibre optic cable with a maximum diameter of 36mm (SL17DA) will be ploughedinto the seabed from the 20m contour to the 1,000m contour. During burial, theplough will cut a 30-cm furrow that will fill immediately after the cable has been laid.



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Between the start of burial and low water mark, the cable may be jet buried by divers;between the low water mark and the BMHthe cable will be installed within articulatedpipe and covered with cement sand bags for stability and protection.There will be nodredging or disposal of bottom materials associated with this project.

81. Any disturbed areas at the beach landing will be restored to their former condition.No marine parks, conservation areas, or areas of rare flora or fauna will beencountered by the cable route.

Figure 2.8 : Towed Jetting Sled Operation

2.6.1.6 Main Lay Operations – Cable Deployment

82. TE SubCom will be using the cableship to lay the cable. Cableship will transit to thevarious PLSE cable positions, recover the shore end either by using divers orgrappling for the streamed cable end, and make a joint to the main system cable on-board. This jointing process takes approximately 18 to 24 hours to complete,including tests of the cable system cable through to the Terminal Station once thejoint is complete.

83. During the main lay and ploughing operations, there will be two elements associatedwith the laying operations:

Surface Laying Operations – the cable is laid onto the surface of the seabed.This procedure is carried out in water where the cable cannot, or is not requiredto, be buried (e.g. at cable/pipeline crossings or in areas where the seabed is toohard for the burial tool, at depths >1000m)



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Cable Burial Operations – the cable is required to be buried to protect it frompotential threats posed by external aggression (eg fishing, anchoring etc), indepths <1000m

2.6.1.6.1 Surface Laying Operations

84. During surface laying operations, the cable is deployed according to the seabedprofile, cable types, and bottom characteristics with the intention that the cable willmould itself to the bottom contours. The cable will be deployed in accordance withthe cable laying plan. Real-time calculations used to monitor and control the cabledeployment parameters will be performed by cable engineers during the installationphase. Cable engineers regularly compare the distance travelled along the route tothe amount of cable laid. The route distance travelled is directly calculated from theoutputs of the navigation system (DGPS), and the length of cable laid is takendirectly from kilometre markings on the cable and/or from the cable counter located inthe cable pay-out line. A computer regularly samples incremental route distance andcable distance, thus cable slack calculations are performed.

2.6.1.6.2 Burial Operations

85. Burial operations are performed to protect areas of the cable system at risk of beingdamaged by external aggression; the primary sources of which are commercialfishing and ship anchors. The amount of burial required to provide adequateprotection is greatly influenced by the type of seabed material. Soft materials that areeasily penetrated require deeper cable burial to protect the cable from externalaggression. Harder sea beds that are difficult to penetrate provide adequateprotection with a shallower burial depth. The goal of the burial tool is to consistentlybury the cable deeper than the threat can penetrate, and a Sea Plough deployedfrom the main lay vessel is the most effective way to accomplish this goal for thisparticular cable system. Figure 2.9 presents the schematic representation of thetowed burial plough operation. The burial operation produces minimal transitorysuspension of seabed sediments or turbidity as it cuts a narrow trench thatimmediately closes behind the plough blade. The standard operational speed of theplough is 1.8 km/h, which results in a sediment plume equal to or less than oneproduced by a commercial 1-tonne shrimp trawl door.

86. The only post-installation evidence that a cable has been buried will be tracks fromthe plough skids and a 15 to 30 cm wide by 15 cm deep furrow where the cable isburied. Over time, typically the duration of two to three tide cycles, currents andnatural sediment deposition restore the seabed topography to pre-installationconditions. Burial depth continuously varies along the route depending on thecomposition of the seabed material being ploughed. The Sea Plough operatormonitors the tow wire tension, adjusting the vessel speed and depth of burial to keepthe force within safe operational limits. Although the burial depth decreases wherethe seabed is harder, the amount of protection remains constant as hazards typicallydo not penetrate the seabed deeper than the plough buries.

87. Another factor controlling burial depth is the amount of sediment material cover overunderlying rock. Sediment thickness can vary from several metres thick to a very thinlayer. Mobile sediments, such as sand waves, also can affect burial depth as thesediment thickness may vary at different times of the year. Steep slopes and sandwaves along the cable route also may affect burial depth. As seabed conditions alongthe route are sometimes limiting, there may be areas where the cable is exposed orburied less than the targeted burial depth.



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Figure 2.9 : Towed Burial Plough Operation to be Utilized During Offshore (<20 mWater Depth) Burial Operations

88. It should be noted that the plough is a passive burial device. Its burial power isderived by it being towed by the main lay vessel. The plough shear cuts a trench thecable is placed into using a depressor arm. The trench then re-forms after thepassage of the plough through the seabed, and no materials are excavated orremoved from the area. Utilizing this burial tool eliminates the need to mechanicallyform a trench, and, therefore, no dredging or bottom material disposal are associatedwith this project.

2.6.1.7 Post-Lay Burial and Inspection (PLIB)

89. A PLIB program may be conducted where the laying and burial of the cable meetsrequirements. The amount and location of the buried cable to be inspected will bedetermined based on the performance of the main lay operations.

90. In the areas requiring post lay burial, a separate remotely operated vehicle (ROV) isutilized that typically uses a jetting tool to bury the cable to the required depth. Thejets are directed into the seabed by the burial tool, the seabed is emulsified in theregion of the burial, and a trench is formed. The ROV jetting system slowly movesalong the seabed on the required cable track, cutting the trench into which the cableis placed. It should be noted that the surrounding seawater is used for the jettingsystem (i.e., nothing alien is introduced into the environment) and that the jettingsystem does not remove any seabed material from the area. The seabed material ismoved to form the trench during the jetting operation, and it naturally re-forms and“backfills” the trench after ROV passage.



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2.6.1.8 Land Cable Installation

91. In order to complete the link between the BMH and the Terminal Station,land cablewill be installed in the conduit along the terrestrial route. A tentative layout of a typicalcable landingsystem and its associated equipment is shown in Figure 2.10.

Figure 2.10 : Tentative Layout Plan for Typical Cable Landing System

2.6.1.9 Specialized Navigational Services

92. Vessels will use a DGPS navigation system during Route Clearance, Pre-LayGrapnel Run, Pre Laid Shore End, Main Lay, and Post Lay Inspection Burialoperations that provides a typical accuracy of ±10 m or better throughout theoperational area. All essential items in the navigational suite are duplicated to providetotal system redundancy. The as-laid positions of the cable are recorded for futurereference.

93. During the main lay operation the accuracy of the as laid position of the cable will bederived as follows:

For buried cable, the cable position will be derived from the burial tool position,which in turn will be derived via a Hydroacoustic Position Reference (HPR)system. The HPR is a Super Short Baseline (SSBL) positioning and trackingsystem that provides burial tool positioning relative to the host vessel. The HPR isintegrated with the ship’s DGPS navigation system. The absolute accuracy of theburied cable is achieved by combining the HPR error with the maximum DGPSerror. Typically the navigational accuracy for the buried cable will not exceed +/-10 m and will be typically defined to within +/-5 m.

For surface laid cable, the cable/hardware position is recorded at the point wherethe cable leaves the stern of the laying vessel. The positioning accuracy of thispoint will not exceed +/- 10 m and will typically be defined as +/-3 m.



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2.7. Quality Assurance, Health and Safety

94. Prior to mobilization of the vessels for any required marine operation, Methods ofProcedures (MOPs) will be prepared that also detail the Quality Assurance Plan andSafety Management System that will apply to all operations.

2.7.1. Quality Assurance95. TE SubCom maintains a full Quality Assurance accreditation to ISO 9001. All work

will be conducted in accordance with the QA procedures, and process-specificcontract review activities are governed by specific procedures according to theapplicable Quality Systems Description Matrix.

96. The project will involve personnel and teams working in many varied locations, and,as such, communication and information management will be critical to projectsuccess. Detailed communication procedures will be set out during the pre-planningphase and strictly adhered to during the project.

97. TE SubCom is experienced in managing network system design and supply projects,and its well-established project management and control procedures will form thebasis of the project. An experienced project team will be assembled in both theMorristown and Baltimore offices during the planning and execution of this project.

2.7.2. Health and Safety98. Safety is the most important aspect of the project, and no work is so important that it

cannot be undertaken safely. All work will be controlled with safety as the paramountfactor, particularly the following:

All shipboard work will be controlled according to Maritime Safe WorkingPractices.

All TE SubCom personnel will be fully briefed on work site access procedures,including safety briefings that explain site-specific hazards prior to entering anysite.

Key areas on the beach will be controlled by the Beach Master (i.e., TE SubComEngineer-in-Charge (EIC) who is responsible for the beach operations). Inaddition, the work area will be fenced off by warning tape or other suitable hazardwarning signs, and, if necessary, security guards will be employed to ensure nounauthorized persons gain entry.

99. TE SubCom maintains the strictest standards of health and safety. All its operatingfacilities conduct operations under the control of its Health and Safety Managers whowill be responsible and accountable for safety at each of the project locations.

100. In addition, each operation will be conducted under the control of its own SafetyOfficer who will ensure that all work is conducted safely and according to safetyregulations. Such Safety Officers are fully trained and experienced in managingvaried and challenging operations in this industry and for this projecttype. They willreport back to the Health and Safety Manager in the TE SubCom regional officeresponsible for the proposed project.

101. The following areas will be addressed by TE SubCom:

Safe handling of fibre optic cable.

Safe working practices with lasers.



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Safe handling of wire cable.

Dive safety.

Safe working practices for seafarers.

Offshore safe working practices.

Dealing with offshore emergencies.

Onshore construction site safety.

Environmental safety and avoidance of pollution.

Reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences.

Job risk/hazard analysis and job safety procedures.

Personal safety and hygiene.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Drug and alcohol abuse.

Safety training.

2.7.3. Communication102. All vessels will be equipped with satellite equipment for Inmarsat communication or

equivalent between shore and the vessel via voice, fax, and e-mail. Contact detailswill be provided prior to the start of operations.

2.7.4. Daily Report103. The preparation and issue of a Daily Report for each operation will be required that

will include vessel position, activities in the previous 24 hours, and planned activitiesfor the following 24 hours. This Daily Report will be distributed to all partiesconcerned and relevant authorities that may wish to receive a copy.

2.8. Timeframe of the Cable Lay Installation

104. The timeline expected for the cable lay installation at Versova Beach, Mumbai, isbetween 15-20 days.



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3. BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

3.1. Prelude

105. The key purpose of the environmental baseline study is to establish the existingenvironmental conditions in the project area before the commencement of anyproject activity. This study covers pre project physical and biological conditions andprovides base reference against which the changes due to the implementation of theproject are analysed. This will help to predict potential environmental impacts duringthe construction and operation phases

106. The environmental status proximal to the proposed project site is determined forphysical and biological setting within 500 m of either side along cable route to theBMH location at Versova Beach. It was determined through the collation of existingdata gathered from secondary sources or collection of primary data as required.Since interface of project activities is minimal with valued environmental components,extent of baseline data collection has been limited to representative data level only.Baseline study was carried out during October through December, 2014.

107. The cable laying and BMH construction does not generate any emission, liquideffluent, or solid waste. Hence focus of baseline status has been on climatic,oceanographic, geological, seismic, marine and ecological resources. For baselineassessment, the project activity area is considered as core zone and 500 m areaaround the project site is considered as buffer zone. Study area map is shown inFigure 2.1.

3.2. Site Description and Its Environs

108. The landing site identified for the BMH is located at a beach road connecting JPRoad to Versova Beach, in front of Harshvardhan Society. As per the land revenuerecords, the cable route alignment passes through land bearing CTS No. 1047 andthe access road between 1059 and 1060 of Versova Village of K/W Ward ofMunicipal Corporation Greater Mumbai (MCGM). As per the Sanctioned RevisedDevelopment Plan Remarks, the land in these CTS Nos. located on the beach areaand within the CRZ - CRZ IB, CRZ II and CRZ IVA. The BMH site is bounded byVersova Beach to the west and residential areas to the north, east and south alongwith beach access road. The location map of the surrounding area of the BMHlocation is shown in Figure 2.1.

109. The beach is made up of coarse brown sand with shells and shell fragments. Thebeach is relatively flat from the entrance (i.e. access road) to the high water mark.The gradual slope appears to continue out to sea for some distance. The width of thebeach is about 150 meters. Eastern boundary of the beach is constituted by densemangroves. The beach is connected with an access road of about 4 m wide, which is

This chapter describes the baseline environmental conditions around the project site i.e.BMH cable landing location, for various environmental attributes, within 500 meters ofradial zone, which is termed as the study area. Topography, soil, water, meteorology, air,noise, and land constitute the physical environment, whereas flora and fauna constitutethe biological environment. Baseline environmental conditions are based on the fieldstudies carried out during October through December, 2014, around the project site.



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further connected with JP Road at about 150 m. Site features have been presentedin Figure 3.1.

Location of BMH Entrance to the Beach Road

Harshvardhan Society(opposite to Beach Road)

JP Road

Fish drying activity within 500 m of theproject site

Fishing boats in Coastal water along projectsite



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Mosque (within 500 m) Graveyard (within 500 m)

Crematorium (500 m)

Figure 3.1 : Site Features

3.3. State of the Environment (Local)

3.3.1. Climate110. Mumbai has a tropical climate best described as having moderate temperatures with

a high level of humidity. Its coastal nature and tropical location ensures moderatetemperatures throughout the year.

111. Mumbai has two main climatic seasons (humid and dry), owing to its proximity to thecoastline. The humid season includes summer (March through May) and monsoon(June through September). During this time, the weather is highly humid and thetemperature rises above 30° Celsius (C). Summer characterized by hot temperatureswhich can go beyond 42°C. Monsoon is accompanied by heavy south-west monsoonrainfall from June through September. The dry season, winter, is between the monthsof November and February. Winter is characterized by medium levels of humidity andwarm cool weather. The minimum temperature for the winter season can go below100 C. The mean minimum temperature recorded at Santacruz (approximately 7 kmfrom the BMH) is 16.3°C and the mean maximum temperature is 32.2°C.

112. The normal annual rainfall over Mumbai district varies from about 1,800 mm to about2,400 mm. It is minimum in the central part of the district around Kurla (1,804.9 mm).It gradually increases towards north and reaches a maximum around Santacruz(2,382.0 mm).



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3.3.1.1 Winds113. The climate of this region has regular seasonal variation determined by two annual

monsoon periods. The southwest monsoon period extends from June to September.The general direction of prevailing winds during this period is from the southwest tothe northeast, with seasonal variations as shown in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 : Seasonal (Monsoon) Wind Variations

Months Directions Speeds

Feb-May Mainly from southwest Max. 8 to 10 BeaufortSubstantial 4-6 Beaufort

Jun-Sep Mainly from southwest Max. 8 to 10 BeaufortSubstantial 6-8 Beaufort

Oct-Jan Mainly from northeast Max. 6 to 8 BeaufortSubstantial 2-6 Beaufort

The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditionsat sea or on land. It is a measure of wind speed and not of the force in scientific sense.

114. The area of the Arabian Sea adjoining the BMH location is dominated by monsoonwinds. The summer monsoon, in particular, is associated with strong near continuouswinds that exceed Force 7 much of the time. All marine work along the west coast ofIndia ceases while the summer Southwest Monsoon winds are blowing; therefore,the duration of this monsoon is extremely important when planning work in this area.Figure 3.2 and Figure 3.3 depict the normal onset and end dates for the SouthwestMonsoon, though variations of up to 1 month each way can occur from one year tothe next. From these figures, it can be determined that the Southwest Monsoontypically lasts from 10thJune to the end of Septemberfor the Versova Beach Area.

Figure 3.2 : Normal Dates for the Onset of the Summer Southwest Monsoon



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Figure 3.3 : Normal Dates for the End of the Summer Southwest Monsoon

115. The variability of wind speed in the Arabian Sea and along the Indian coast betweenthe two monsoon seasons is illustrated in Figure 3.4 and Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.4 : Arabia n Sea Mean Wind Force During the Winter NortheastMonsoon (January)



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Figure 3.5 : Arabian Sea Mean Wind Force During the Summer SouthwestMonsoon (July)

116. During the winter Northeast Monsoon, winds rarely exceed Force 6 and weaken tothe north. As they approach the Gulf of Oman, winds are more variable in directionand calm conditions can be expected approximately 8% of the time. During thesummer Southwest Monsoon, winds blow persistently from the southwest and canexceed Force 8. Calm periods are virtually absent.

117. The winter monsoon period, typically lasting 4 to 6 weeks, is subject to variable andrelatively light winds.

118. The percentage frequency of winds of Force 7 or greater during the SouthwestMonsoon is depicted in Figure 3.6. During the Northeast Monsoon (January), windsof Force 7 or greater can be expected around 1% of the time. The summer monsoongives rise to winds in excess of Force 7 over long periods, and work should not beattempted in the Arabian Sea in vessels unsuitable for work in Force 7 conditions.The winter and inter-monsoon months provide far more favourable conditions for thiswork. Note that conditions are significantly worse in the northwest part of the ArabianSea, with winds exceeding Force 7 for over 50% of the time in July in some areas.



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Figure 3.6 : Percentage Frequency of Winds of Force 7 or more (July)

119. The nearest meteorological observatory of IMD, from the project site is at Santacruz,Mumbai. Daily three monthly (October through December, 2014) meteorological data(temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, mean sea level pressure, wind direction andwind speed) for Santacruz Station was obtained from IMD. The wind rose wasprepared using Software Lake Environment, EPA for the data, presented in Figure3.7. Dominant wind direction is North-west and North. As can be seen from the WindRose Diagram, the average wind speed for the time frame considered is 1.1 m/s.



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Figure 3.7 : Wind Rose Diagram for Santacruz Station, Mumbai



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3.3.1.2 Cyclones120. Being an island city, Mumbai coastline (facing the Arabian Sea) are prone to gusty

winds and cyclonic impacts. The cyclones mainly occur in May/June orOctober/November. The last severe cyclone off the coast of Mumbai occurred inNovember 2009 (Phyan). Prior to this, the last cyclone was reported in June 1996and another reported in 1992.

3.3.1.3 Relative Humidity and Temperature121. Table 3.2 lists the micro-meteorological data for the year 2014 for Mumbai. As is

evident from the data given in the Table 3.2 below, relative humidity ranges from51% to 86%, which is the highest during the summer monsoon period. During thewinter months (November through January), relative humidity ranges from 49% to64%. Average temperature ranges from 22°C to 34°C except during the winter periodwhen the minimum temperature may fall to about 18°C. The hotter months areMarch, April, May, and June.

Table 3.2 : Micro -Meteorological Conditions (Yea r 2014)

Month Temperature ( 0C) Relative Humidity*(%)

AveragePrecipitation

(mm)AverageMinimum

AverageMaximum

AM PM

January 18 30 64 49 0.00February 19 30 62 47 0.00

March 22 33 64 51 0.00April 24 33 69 59 0.00May 27 34 69 65 0.00June 28 34 80 75 79.00July 25 30 86 82 1164.34

August 25 30 87 82 325.40September 25 31 86 77 125.46

October 24 34 73 64 5.33November 22 34 60 55 3.05December 18 32 61 53 6.10

*Relative Humidity data represents the 30-year for Santacruz Station obtained from theClimatological Normals Book (1961-1990), IMD

Source: IMD

3.3.1.4 Visibility122. In general, mist develops around sunrise along the west coast north of latitude 16o N

but soon disperses. In Mumbai, smog hangs over the landfrom November throughMarch, obscuring everything in the view. However, this happens only for shortperiods, most often shortly after sunrise and occasionally in the evenings. Visibility isgenerally good for a major part of the year.

3.3.1.5 Rainfall123. Most of the annual rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon, during which the

average monthly rainfall is approximately 45 cm. Rain during the northeast monsoonis slight. The average annual rainfall over the last 20 years is 193 cm. 5-yearlymonthly rainfall data for Mumbai is presented in Table 3.3.



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Table 3.3 : Five Years Monthly Rainfall Da ta for Mumbai District

Month Year2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

January 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0February 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0March 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0April 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0May 1.3 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0June 241.0 947.4 461.2 176.9 954.7July 956.8 1112.7 1284.4 392.5 874.5August 247.4 860.7 796.8 520.2 234.8September 420.8 272.9 362.5 343.3 306.3October 190.8 122.4 65.6 127.1 66.2November 105.4 55.7 0.0 0.0 6.4December 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5

Source: IMD

3.3.2. Oceanography3.3.2.1 Currents

124. The currents in the region are essentially caused by the tides and are not influencedto any measurable extent by monsoon conditions. The tidal flow is unsteady, and themagnitude and direction of the current varies with respect to location, time, anddepth.

3.3.2.2 Waves125. The swell waves generated by deep sea storms predominate and mainly arise just

before and during the Southwest Monsoon. Statistical analysis indicates that mostwave periods are between 6 and 10 seconds. During the Northeast Monsoon period,north-easterly winds known as "Elephantas" blow for short durations during Octoberand November. As the strong winds do not occur very frequently, the "significantheight" of the resulting waves is not likely to exceed 1meter, with a period rangingfrom 3 to 5 seconds.

126. The Southwest Monsoon during the summer brings persistent strong winds andheavy seas. All offshore work stops during this period.

3.3.2.3 Tidal information127. The dominant tide in the Mumbai Harbour is semi-diurnal, with a period of 12 hours

and 40 minutes. The particulars of tidal levels related to Chart Datum are presentedin Table 3.4.

Table 3.4 : Tidal Levels Related to Chart Datum for the Mumbai Harbour

Tide Above(+) or Below( -) Chart DatumHighest High Water recorded + 5.39 mMean High Water Spring Tides + 4.42 mMean High Water Neap Tides + 3.30 mMean Sea Level + 2.51 mMean Low Water Neap Tides + 1.86 mMean Low Water Spring Tides + 0.76 mLowest Low Water recorded - 0.46 mHighest Low Water + 2.74 m



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128. Statistical studies indicate that all high tides exceed + 2.70meters and about 5% of allhigh tides are less than + 3.20meters.

3.3.3. Geology129. The geology of India is dominated by Achaean rocks forming the mass of the

country, apart from much of the coastal areas. The basalts of the Deccan Trapdominate the interior of mid-western India, including Versova, Mumbai. A thin strip ofCainozoic sediments occurs on the western Indian coast.

130. The shelf is up to 350 km wide in the north and narrows to 60 km offCochin in thesouth (9.58° N), sloping gently to the west (1:400 to 1:3000). The shelf break occursbetween 80 and 145meterswater depth (WD).

131. Along the west coast of India, several beachrock exposures have been observed inthe intertidal zone as well as 2 to 4meters above the present day high water line.Beachrock has nearly the same general composition as the loose beach sand overwhich it lies. It mimics the broad morphology of the intertidal zone of the beach inwhich it developed, showing similar internal structures. Most of the beach sand ismedium to coarse grained but some is fine to medium grained.

132. The late-Quaternary evolution of the continental margin was characterised by rapidsea-level rises and gradual sea-level falls that generated depositional sequencesspanning various time scales. During the regressive periods, dipping strata weredeveloped while erosional surfaces and incised valleys were formed during thelowstands of sea-level. Terraces, v-shaped depressions, and lagoon-like structuresthat occur on the outer continental shelf are the result of the transgressive period.Based on topographic variations and sedimentological characteristics, the shelf isdivided into two sub-provinces: the inner and outer shelves.

133. The inner shelf is marked by even and gently seaward sloping topography. The eventopography extends to water 50 to 60metersdeep. Further seaward (deeper than 60to 65meters), the outer shelf is characterised by uneven to rugged topography, with 2to 20meters relative variations. Prominent reefs are a common feature at the shelfedge.

134. Sediment slumps, subsurface faults, and gullies also are discernible along somesectors of the slope. In places,the slope is dominated by prominent topographic highsof considerable length (30 to 40km) and width (about 13km). The deep seaflooradjacent to the slope is relatively smooth, with occasional basement highs that giverise to basin structures characterised by sediments 2 to 3 km thick.

135. The escape of gases or fluids through the seafloor produces a variety ofmorphological features. The most common of these gas-escape features ispockmarks,which can locally dominate flat or current-moulded seafloor morphologyand alter the physical properties of current deposited sediments. These pockmarksmay be associated with bursts, vents, seeps, etc. The seepage ranges from thevigorous bubbling from the seabed to a small-scale emanation of microscopicbubbles or hydrocarbon compounds in solution. Pockmarks occur in the sedimentsof the outer shelf to mid-slope region, while prominent plumes marked by strongechoes in the overlying water column indicate significant contribution of gas from theslope sediments to the upper strata and the overlying water column. The pockmarksare mostly confined between the first sub-bottom reflector and the seafloor. Simple,giant, and compound pockmarks are conspicuous with a circular plan view. Thepockmarks, in general, are 80 to 130meters in diameter and 0.75 to 2.5meters deep,



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while the smaller-sized buried pockmarks are 20meters in diameter and <1meterdeep.

136. High-resolution seismic reflection profiling on the inner continental shelf (<60meterswater depth) shows acoustically transparent clays about 5 to 35meters thick andweakly stratified. At water depths of 15 to 50 meters, the sub-bottom profiles arecharacterised by acoustic masking, preventing acquisition of seismic data from theunderlying strata. The acoustic masking zones extend from the seabed down 5 to 10meters into the seafloor. The sides of these acoustic masking zones are steep,almost vertical; their tops are generally flat with rounded edges. Cone shapedacoustic masking more than 500meters wide is often seen in the vicinity of buriedchannels.

137. Sedimentation processes changed from siliciclastic to carbonate sedimentation andback to siliciclastic sedimentation within the succession, marking an important phasein the late-Quaternary evolution of the western continental shelf of India. This hasbeen attributed to an abrupt climate change at 14,000 BP. This climate change(warming) favoured the formation of reefs at various depths on the shelf.In addition tothe development of Fifty Fathom Flat, a carbonate platform on the outer shelf offMumbai developed prior to 8,300BP.2

138. The continental slope off Versova is generally rough and unlikely to be subject toturbidity flows because of the limited sediment supply to this area and the carbonateplatforms on the shelf edge.

139. The Arabian Sea was formed within the past roughly 50 million years as the Indiansubcontinent collided with Asia. Stretching south-eastward from Socotra is thesubmarine Carlsberg Ridge, which coincides with the belt of seismic activity in theIndian Ocean that divides the Arabian Sea into two major basins—the ArabianBasin to the east and the Somali Basin to the west. The maximum depth of the sea,19,038 feet (5,803 metres), occurs at Wheatley Deep. The Carlsberg Ridge islongitudinally split by a central valley that reaches depths of about 11,800 feet (3,600metres) below the sea’s surface. The coastal escarpments of the Gulf of Aden areformed by rift faults that converge toward the southwest to continue into Africa as theboundary scarps of the Eastern, or Great, Rift Valley, which forms part of the EastAfrican Rift System. The Arabian Basin is separated from the Gulf of Oman Basin bythe Murray Ridge, a narrow, seismically active submarine ridge that extendsnortheast to southwest to meet the Carlsberg Ridge. West of Murray Ridge is theMalian subduction zone, an area where the ocean floor sinks below the adjacentcontinental crust.A deep submarine canyon has been cut by the Indus River, whichalso has deposited an abyssal (i.e., deep-sea) cone of thick sediments some 535miles (860 km) wide and 930 miles (1,500 km) long. This cone and an associatedabyssal plain in the Arabian Basin occupy much of the northeastern floor of theArabian Sea. To the east of the Somali coast, the Somali Basin forms another largeabyssal plain.

3.3.3.1 Topography of Versova Beach140. The Versovabeach is relatively flat from the entrance (i.e. access road) to the high

water mark. The gradual slope appears to continue out to sea for some distance.

3.3.3.2 Topography of Arabian Sea

2Karisiddaiah, S. M., Veerayya, M. and Vora, K. H. (2002). “Seismic and sequence stratigraphy of thecentral western continental margin of India: late-Quaternary evolution”



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141. Most of the Arabian Sea has depths that exceed 9,800 feet (2,990 metres), and thereare no islands in the middle. Deep water reaches close to the bordering lands exceptin the northeast, off Pakistan and India. To the southeast the Lakshadweep atollsform part of the submarine Maldive Ridge, which extends farther south into the IndianOcean where it rises above the surface to form the atolls of theMaldives. On thewestern side of the sea, the plateau island of Socotra, about 70 miles (110 km) longand with an area of about 1,400 square miles (3,625 square km), is an insularextension of the Horn of Africa, lying 160 miles (260 km) east of Cape Gwardafuy(Guardafui).

3.3.3.3 Existing land-Use142. Cable will land at Versova beach in Mumbai. The BMH is located at a beach road

connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front of Harshvardhan Society. The BMH islocated on the access road between CTS No. 1059 and CTS No. 1060.VersovaBeach is used as recreational site by local people. Beach is surrounded byresidential area. JeetNagar is at a distance of 150 m from BMH location onVersovaBeach in NE direction. Sanjay Gandhi National park is at approximately 8.5km from location of BMH in NE direction from project site. Malad Creek is at adistance of 2.1 km in NNW direction from project site and Versova Creek is atdistance of 1.7 km in SSE direction. Mangroves are present at approximately 930 mdistance from project site in SE direction, 890 m in East direction and 15 km in NNEdirection.

3.3.3.4 Existing Social Infrastructure143. BMH is planned to be located on Versova Beach and is used by local people for

recreational purpose and is surrounded by residential areas. Surrounding area isurban area and is under jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.Roads, schools, hospitals, parks etc. are existing in surrounding area.

3.3.4. Seismicity3.3.4.1 Tectonic Plates

144. The proposed AAE-1 Submarine Cable System skirts the Arabian Peninsula and liesalmost entirely on the Arabian Plate. In the Indian Ocean/Arabian Sea, the oceaniccrust is older and sediment accumulations are consequently thicker. A tectonic mapfor the area is presented in Figure 3.8.



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Figure 3.8 : General Tectonics of the Arabian and Indian Plates

3.3.4.2 Earthquake Activity145. Most of Mumbai falls under seismic zone III, which indicates moderate risk of

earthquake occurrence. History of earthquakes in the state of Maharashtra3

1. 14 March, 1938: Bhusawal-Sawda Area, Maharashtra. Magnitude of 6.3.2. 10 December, 1967: Koyna Area, Maharashtra. Magnitude of 6.5.3. 30 September, 1993: KIllari Area, Maharashtra. Magnitude of 6.2.

3.3.5. Surface Temperature and Salinity146. The properties of the water at the surface normally extend downward to a certain

depth before the transition to colder water takes place. The upper homogeneouslayer of water is mixed by the winds, currents, and tides. The discontinuity betweenthe homogeneous surface layer and the deeper colder water masses usually takesplace between 100 and 300 meters; however, this depth varies seasonally andtowards the coast where mixing occurs at shallower depths.

147. The Arabian Sea is an area of high evaporation that receives little freshwater fromthe continental landmasses or from other ocean areas. Sea surface temperaturecharts of the Arabian Sea area show that inter-monsoons are warm withtemperatures between 28° and 30°C, whereas the temperatures of the southwestand northeast monsoons are several degrees lower. Figure 3.9 presents the seasurface temperature distributions in Arabian Sea. Maximum cooling occurs during theSouthwest Monsoon in the western Arabian Sea and during the Northeast Monsoonin the northwest Arabian Sea. Temperatures below 22°C indicate centres of coastalupwelling in the Southwest Monsoon. A broad area of open ocean upwelling ismarked roughly by the 25°C isotherm.

3http://asc-india.org/seismi/seis-maharashtra.htm



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Figure 3.9 : Sea Surface Temperature Distributions in Arabian Sea

3.3.6. Bottom Temperature and Salinity148. Temperature and equivalent salinity profile for the Arabian Sea are presented in

Figures 3.10 and 3.11.



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Source: http://www.ewoce.org/gallery/eWOCE_Tables.html

Figure 3.10 : Temperature Profile across Arabian Sea

Source: http://www.ewoce.org/gallery/eWOCE_Tables.html

Figure 3.11 Salinity Profile (psu) across Arabian Sea

149. The seabed temperatures along the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System route will bemostly controlled by depth and generally less than 2°C for the deepwater portion ofthe route, as shown in the figure above.

3.3.7. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Mapping Survey150. Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, Chennai, was approached to conduct a

survey to work on the demarcation of High Tide Line (HTL) and Low Tide Line (LTL)at Versova Beach, Mumbai and accordingly a CRZ map was also prepared. Thesurvey was conducted in the third week of December. The tide level observations forthe last 19 years were also studied from the Tide Tables.

151. The satellite imagery of the coastal zone and Geomorphology were also studied.Based on the geomorphic units, the high tide line has been identified in the field andtraced by field survey.

152. Dual Frequency GPS (Model: Trimble 5700) instruments were used for HTL/LTLdemarcation, image control points observation and delineation of the projectboundary. There were two teams involved in the field survey. During the field survey,one team took GPS points for entire project boundary, control points for satellite



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imagery and block map (cadastral map) for the corresponding area and another teamtook HTL points along the coast and creek falling on the project site.

153. The observed GPS data was downloaded and processed in the Trimble GeomaticsOffice software. The processed GPS image coordinates were fed into ArcGIS 9.2software for Geo-referencing. The processed HTL points were plotted using thesame software on the Cadastral map at the scale of 1:4,000. The complete surveyreport is attached as Annexure II.

3.3.8. Noise Environment154. Noise after a certain level can have a very disturbing effect on the human beings

exposed to it. Hence, it is important to assess the present noise quality of the landingsite in order to predict potential impacts due to the cable installation. Noisemonitoring was carried out at the VersovaBeach for 24 hours in the second week ofDecember. Monitoring was carried out both during day and night time andaccordingly Leq day and night were derived from the monitored data including thepeak values.

155. The summary of results of the monitoring is provided in Table 3.5. Monitored soundpressure levels were compared against Ambient Noise Standards prescribed underGazette Notification 643 of MoEFCC.

Table 3.5 :Ambient Noise Quality Results (October – December, 2014)

LocationDay (dBA) Night (dBA)

Lmax Lmin Leq Lmax Lmin Leq

Versova Beach 57.7 51.5 54.6 58.7 50.5 54.6

156. The noise levels at Versova beach were found within the ambient noise standards forresidential areas during daytime, whereas during night time the levels were observedhigher than the standards. The higher sound levels are due to the anthropogenicactivities on the beach and nearby areas as well as sea waves.

3.3.9. Air Quality157. Preliminary air sampling and monitoring was carried out for three months (October –

December, 2014) at VersovaBeach to establish the air quality at project site. Themain sources of air pollution near landing site are vehicular emission, fuel burning fordomestic requirements and wind-blown dust from the open beach area. Themonitoring was conducted for particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10),particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides ofnitrogen (NOx).

158. The summary of the ambient air quality monitoring results are tabulated in Table 3.6.The maximum and minimum for the three months were compared against theNational Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for residential, rural and otherareas.

Table 3.6 : Ambient Air Quality Status (October – December, 2014)

MonthPollutant Concentration (µg/m 3)

PM10 PM2.5 SO2 NOx

October Max 94 62 36 63Min 37 23 12 28

November Max 92 51 38 57Min 58 34 22 32



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MonthPollutant Concentration (µg/m 3)

PM10 PM2.5 SO2 NOx

December Max 98 68 33 59Min 43 27 24 23

159. The ambient air quality was observed well within the NAAQS for residential, rural andother areas.

3.3.10. Biological Environment160. A detailed biological impact assessment study was carried out to determine the

impact of the project on marine and terrestrial ecology at Versova Beach, Mumbaiand to assess if there are any sensitive species in study area that could be impactedby cable laying operation.

161. Field visits were carried out by Marine Experts in June, 2014, to determine the eco-sensitivity, flora and fauna of the area in association with Zoological Survey of India(ZSI), Chennai. Data on existing marine species has also been referred fromavailable literature/authentic sources like Central Marine Fisheries ResourcesInstitute (CMFRI), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS),Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), FSI (FisheriesSurvey of India), etc.

162. A site visit was conducted by Marine experts to collect information about the areafrom various concerned agencies, discussions with local people and fishermen etc.,collect data on flora and fauna of the area, and to study impact zone of the project.

163. Following this, consultation has been taken from ZSI for determining the impacts ofthe project in study area. A detailed marine study has been carried out by ZSI.

164. Purpose for the biological study is to determine eco-sensitivity along the cable routeand of BMH location, identify the sensitive marine species, and determine itsprobability of getting impacted and extent of the impact. Additionally, study has alsohelped out to propose the mitigation measures that should be taken to ensureenvironmentally sound practices to be followed and measures taken duringdeployment.Detailed Ecological Survey Report for the project prepared by the ZSI isattached as Annexure III.

3.3.10.1 Terrestrial Ecology165. For the biological study, the study area is divided into core and buffer zones. In this,

BMH and cable traversing area from sea edge to BMH is considered as core zone.Area within 500 m radius from the core zone is considered as buffer area. Mapshowing core zone and buffer area is shown in Figure 3.1.

166. The cable will terminate at Versova Beach which is sandy and has no terrestrialvegetation. The area has no eco-sensitive zones like turtle breeding ground on thebeach and this stretch is also not used for any recreational and fishing purpose. Noeco-sensitive zones like national park, wildlife sanctuary etc is present within 500meters from proposed BMH site.

167. No mangrove species were reported during site visit in the buffer area but species ofmangroves like AvicenniaMarina and AvicenniaAlba are reported beyond the bufferarea.

168. Project activity is confined to the core zone and the least impact is anticipated inbuffer zone due to project activity. Faunal species present in and around the VersovaRegion are mentioned in Table 3.7.



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Table 3.7 : List of Faunal Species in and around Versova Beach Region,Mumbai

S. No. Scientific Name Common Name

Avifauna

1 MilvusMigrans Black Kite

2 EgrettaGarzetta Little Egret

3 NycticoraxNycticorax Night heron

4 AceipiterBadius Shikra

5 VanellusIndicus Red wattled Lapwing

6 Columba Livia Blue Rock Pigeon

7 AlcedoAtthis Blue Kingfisher

8 Halcyon Smyrnensis White Kingfisher

9 EudynamysScolopacea Asian Koel

10 SaxicoloidesFulicata Indian Robin

11 CorvusSplendens House Crow

12 AcridotheresGinginiamus Bank Myna

Reptiles

1 PtyasMucosa Common rat snake

2 HemidactylusBrookii Brook’s gecko

3 VaranusBengalensis Monitor lizard

Butterflies

1 JunoniaOrithya Blue pansy

2 PapilioPolymnestor Blue mormon

3 OpsiphanesSp. Owlet moth

Amphibians

1 NilssoniaGangetica Soft shelled turtle

2 HoplobatrachusTigerinus Bull Frog

3 EuphlyctisCyanophlyctis Skittering frog



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3.3.10.2 Marine Ecology169. Study area considered for marine biological study is coastal waters of VersovaBeach,

Mumbai, within 500m radius from the BMH location towards sea.

170. Cable route is designed in a way so as to avoid eco-sensitive zones like coral reefs,sea weed bed, volcanoes, sea mounts, seeps etc. Proposed cable route does notoverlap any marine eco-sensitive zone.

171. Marine biodiversity includes large variety of organisms including sessile forms,crawling forms, swimmers and floaters. Species composition varies with the depth inthe sea. Abundance of species decreases with increase in depth. As cable is to belaid on sea bed, most effected life-forms will be bottom dwellers (sessile andcrawlers) along with Demersal or benthic fisheries followed by pelagic life forms.Least impact is anticipated on floating species. To assess the impacts, marineecology study has been carried out by NABET approved ecological experts and ZSI.Cable route is designed in a way so as to avoid eco-sensitive zones like coral reefs,sea weed bed, volcanoes, sea mounts, seeps etc. Proposed cable route does notoverlap with any marine eco-sensitive zone.

172. The majorvegetation of the swamp area near Versova Beach includes mangrovespecies viz., Avicennia marinaand Avicenniaalba with the height ranging between1.5-5.0 meter but these are not falling under the buffer zone of the project. Sedimenthabitats represent complex aquatic ecosystems and apart from the sediment micro-flora, they are also inhabited by innumerable invertebrate species. The sedimentdwellers can be classified according to their size into microfauna (ciliates), meiofauna(harpacticoid copepods, nematodes, ostracods) and macrofauna (mainly amphipods,isopods, gastropods, polychaetes, mussels).

173. Based on the biological study and impact assessment study, ZSI has detailed out theprobable impact of the project. The impacts anticipated are taken in considerationwhile preparing the EMP. As per study carried out by ZSI, ZSI recommends theproject for CRZ clearance. ZSI recommends to record data on status of faunal andfloral communities after the completion of the project to assess the impacts of theproject on ecology of the area.

174. Following are the observations recorded by ZSI:

Versova Beach is full of degradable and non-degradable waste material due toanthropogenic activities over the last few decades

Wave height was in between 2.9 m to 3.7 m during the survey period

pH of water was within the range of 7.8 to 8.0 at the area of 500m radius whereasthe range was 8.0 to 8.2 up to the 12 nautical miles area

Salinity was in between 24 to 27ppt within the 500 m of BMH however, 25 to 30ppt up to 12 nautical miles area

Transparency of the water column ranges from 0.21 to 0.35 m within the 500 m ofBMH while 3.22 to 4.25m in deeper waters

Sea surface temperature was maximum 31.2ºC while minimum 31.0 ºC within the500m of BMH and 32.2 ºC to 33.0 ºC up to the area of 12 nautical miles

Seasonal swarming of jelly fishes was observed



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Few species of molluscs like Nerita chameleon, Planaxisniger, Thais bufo andGafrariumdivaricatum etc. with the density of 2 individuals/ m2 from the studyarea

Several species of crabs like Petrolistheslamarckii, Eriphiasebana andGrapsustenuicrustatus were observed during the study period with the density of6-10 individuals/m2 from the study area.

Several species of stranded fishes were spotted at the study areas such as Ariusthalassinus, Otolithes sp., Protonibeasp

Benthic components like amphipods, foraminifera, copepods and polychaeteswere also observed in the sediment samples

Zooplankton samples collected from the study areas indicated that, copepods arethe dominant group which represents about 40% of the total zooplanktoniccomposition followed by foraminifera

Fish larvae, echinoderm larvae, cirriped larvae were also observed amongzooplankton

The numeric density of zooplankton ranges from 2000-3000 individual/100 m3with the volume of 0.4 to 120ml/100 m3

Present study revealed about 50 species of phytoplankton

It is pertinent to mention that 3 species of sea snakes were observed from thestudy area out of the reported 9 species of sea snakes

175. The findings of the marine study conducted by ZSI are listed below:

No Endemic and Endangered and scheduled animals (under IUCN and IndianWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972) like dolphin, turtle, sea cucumbers etc. wererecorded in the near shore waters during the study period

No coral beds exist in the vicinity of proposed project site

No mangrove swamps were recorded at the project site

No significant nesting/breeding grounds for the endemic or migratory birds areavailable in the proposed project site

No turtle nesting sites observed in the beach area

The proposed site does not fall under any migratory route of birds

No noteworthy benthic components were recorded

The proposed site does not fall under any protected areas like Wildlife Sanctuary,National Park and Biosphere Reserve

176. The recommendations of ZSI are listed below:

Vessels to be used should meet regulations laid by IMO, especially ballast watermanagement system

Operation of cable laying should be made during day time

Record data on the status of faunal and floral communities after the completion ofproject to assess the impact of project on ecology of the area

177. Biological species present in various zones (as per depth) as collected from variousstudies and publications is given below:



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3.3.10.2.1 Planktons:178. Phytoplanktons are the floating microscopic plants in the water column, drifting along

with the water mass aided by winds and currents. Micro-phyto-benthic communitiesare often thriving in surface sediments of intertidal regions.In intertidal sediments,microbenthic algae are regularly mixed by theaction of currents and tides. The role ofmicrophytobenthos in intertidal habitats is diverse. Micro-phyto-benthos also play animportant role in sediment stabilisation, by the excretion of extracellular polymericsubstances, and thus play an important role in coastal morphology.

179. Phytoplankton species recorded during present study were belonging to mainlyclasses such as Bacillariophycean; Dinoflagellates and Cyanophycean.Themicrophytobenthos includes representatives of several algalclasses(Baccilariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanobacteria, andDinophyceae).Micro-phytobenthic community was dominated by diatoms in the project area.

180. Phytoplankton recorded at Versova Beach are listed in Table 3.8.

Table 3.8 : List of Phytoplanktons at Versova Beach

S. No. Phytoplankton S. No. Phytoplankton

1 AnacystisNidulans 29 NaviculaDistans

2 AmphiproraGigantean 30 NitzschiaSeriata

3 Amphora Decusatta 3 NitzschiaClosterium

4 BacteriastrumDelicatulum 32 NitzschiaLongissima

5 BiddulphiaRhombus 33 NitzschiaSigmoids

6 BiddulphiaMobilensis 34 OscillattoriaLimosa

7 BiddulphiaAlternas 35 Oscillattoria Formosa

8 ChaetocerosAffinis 36 OscillattoriaLauterbomii

9 ChaetocerosPendulus 37 PleurosigmaElongatum

10 CoscinodiscusRadiatus 38 PleurosigmaAngulatum

11 CoscinodiscusConcinnus 39 PleurosigmaDirectum

12 CoscinodiscusLineatus 40 PrediniumOvatum

13 CoscinodiscusSublineatus 41 ProrocentrumOblongatum

14 CoscinodiscusEccentricus 42 RhizosoleniaStyliformis

15 CoscinodiscusMarginatus 43 RhizosoleniaSetigera

16 CyclotellaMenenghiniana 44 Rhizosolenia Robusta

17 CymbellaProstrate 45 RhizosoleniaHabeta

18 DiatomaAurita 46 SkeletonemaCostatum

19 DiploneisWeissflogii 47 SpirulinaAeruginea

20 DitylumBrightwellii 48 StauroneisMembranensis

21 EucampiaZoodiacus 49 SurirellaFastuosa

22 FragillariaOceanic 50 SynedraUlna



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23 GymnodiniumEstuariale 51 ThallasiosiraSubtilis

24 GyrosigmaBalticum 52 ThallasiosiraGravida

25 LicmophoraAbbreviate 53 ThallasiosiraCondensata26 LeptocylindrusDanicus 54 ThallassioneMnitzschoides

27 MelosiraBorrei 55 ThallasiothrixFraunfeldii

28 NaviculaMembranaceae

181. Microphyto-benthos recorded at Versova Beach are listed in Table 3.9.

Table 3.9 : List of Microphyto -benthos at Versova Beach


1 BiddulphiaMobilensis 11 Oscillatoria Formosa

2 CoscinodiscusGranii 12 OscillatoriaLimosa

3 GyrosigmaBalticum 13 PediastrumBoryanum

4 NaviculaClosterium 14 PleurosigmaNormanii

5 NaviculaDistans 15 SpirulinaAeruginea

6 NaviculaLanceolata 16 StauroneisMembranacea

7 NaviculaLyra 17 Streptothecathamensis

8 NistzschiaSeriata 18 SynedraUlna

9 NitzschiaClosterium 19 ThalassiosiraGravida

10 NitzschiaPungens

182. Zooplanktons found in waters of VersovaBeach area are mainly constituted bypolychaetes, amphipods, isopods, crabs, hermit crabs, pelceypods and gastropods.Polychaeta was the dominant group contributing 83.5 % to the total population chieflyconstituted by Lumbrineresishartmani (Lumbrinereidae) and Nephthys sp.(Nephthydae). Amphipoda was the second dominant group, which contributed 14.5% of the total. Isopods, crabs, hermit crabs, pelecypods (Donaxsp.), gastropods(Naticalineata) and decapods were occasionally represented.

3.3.10.2.2 Fisheries Resources:183. The study was conducted with references from secondary data, as mentioned earlier,

and was validated with Expert visits. Details of fisheries are given in Tables 3.10 and3.11.

Table 3.10 : List of Pelagic Fish Landings at Versova Beach, Mumbai

S. No. Scientific Name Common Name Local Name

1 Anchoviella Golden Anchovye Mandelli2 Black Pomfrets Black Pomfrets Halwa3 BregmacerosMacelelendi Unicorn cod. Tendali4 Carangids Small Other Carangids Kokari, Toki



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S. No. Scientific Name Common Name Local Name

5 Caranx Horse Mackerel KharbaBangada6 Cat Fishes Cat Fish Mhakul7 Cephalopoda Cuttle Fish Mhakul8 Chirocentrus Silver bar/Walf Heming KarliandDatali9 Eels Eels Warm10 Elasmobranchs Shark and Rays MushiandPakat11 Harpodonnehereus Bombay Duck Bombil12 HilsaIlisha / Toli Hilsa Shad and Giant Herrings Bhing and Palla13 Lactarius Big-Jawed Jumper Soundala14 Leiognathus Pony Fish Khap15 Lobsters Lobster Shewand16 Mackerel Indian Mackerel Bangada17 Non-Penaeid Prawns Shrimp Jawala, Karandi18 Other Clupeids White Sardines Bhiljee, Khavali, Paturdi19 OtolithesSpecies Cracker Dhoma, dhodi20 Penaid Prawns Prawn Kolambi21 Perches Groupers Karkara, Khajura, Heum,22 Polynomids Thread Fins DadhaandRawas23 Pomfrets Pomfret Saranga24 Red Snapper Red Snapper Tamb25 Ribbon Fishes Ribbon Fish BalaandWakti26 Sardines Sardines and Oil Sardines Pedwa, Pedi andTarali27 Sciaenids Jew Fish andDori GholandKoth28 Seer Fishes Seer Fish Surmai, Towar29 Soles Soles Lep, Bhakas30 Thrissocles Mustached Anehovy Kati31 Tunnies Tuna Gedar, Kupa32 Upenaids Sp. Goat Fish Chirati, Rane

Table 3.11 : List of Demersal Fish Landings at Versova Beach, Mumbai

SpongesBread-crumb Sponge Tethys IyncuriumSponge TetilladactyloidesCorals, Jelly fish and Sea Anemones- PhytocoetesGangeticus Coral CyphastreaSp.BurrowingAnemone

EdwardsiaTinctrix Coral EpizoanthusElongatum

Sea Anemone AnemoniaIndicus Coral FavitesHalicoraSea Anemone AnthopleuraAsiatica Coral HalobatesSp.Sea Anemone AnthopleuraMidori Coral PelocoetesexulSea Anemone BunodosomaGranulifera Coral PoritesLichenSea Anemone MetapenaeusMonoceros Coral PoritesLuteaSea Anemone MetapeachiaTropica Coral SiderastreasAvignvanaSea Anemone MetridiumSenile Var. Sea Pen (Coral) CavernulariaOrientails

Fimbriatum Sea Pen (Coral) VirgulariaRumphiiSea Anemone NeoaiptasiaCommensali Soft Coral CynarialaCrymalisSea Anemone ParapeneoPsisstyliferaCoral CoscinareAmonileMolluscs (Univalves)- CossidulaNucleus Cone Shell ConusMonachusArabian Cowrie Cypraea Arabica Cone Shell ConusMutabilis



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Auger Shell TerebraCapensis Cone Shell ConusPiperatusBandedPeriwinkle

TectariusMalacanus CostateTun TonnaAllium

BandedTrochus

TrochusRadiatus Cowrie CypraeAlentiginosa

Banded Tun TonnaFasciata Cuming's ConeShell

ConusCumingii

Carrier Shell XenephoraSolaris Dog Whelk BulliaLineolataCommon EarShell

HaliotisVaria Dog Whelk CylleneFuscata

CommonKeyhole

DiodoraBombayana Dog Whelk Nassathersitis

Limpet - VermaTis Sp.Dog Whelk NassariusCanaliculata Rock Shell OcinebraBombayanaDog Whelk NassariusJacksoniana Rock Shell Thais SacellumDog Whelk NassariusLentiginosis Rock Shell Thais BufoDog Whelk NassariusMucronatus Rock Shell Thais CaraniferaDog Whelk NassariusOlivaceous Rock Shell Thais RudolphiDog Whelk NassariusOrnatus Rock Shell Thais TissotiDog Whelk NassariusPictus Screw Shell TurritellaDuplicateDog Whelk PyreneScripta Shell AconitiophorumDog Whelk PyreneTerpscichore BombayensisDog Whelk Zeuxis Caelatus Shell ActinogetonSultanaDwarf TurbanShell

Turbo Brunneus Shell AnthopleuraPacifica

Fig Shell FicusFicus Shell AnthopleuraPanikkariiHorn Shell CerithiumMorus Shell CribrinopsisRobertiiHorn Shell CerithiumRubus Shell EuchelusAsperIndian TibiaShell

Tibia Curta Shell EuchelusTricarinata

JavanTurridShell

SurculaJavana Shell ParacondylactisIndicus

Keyhole Limpet CellanaRadiate Sowerby’sShuttle

Volva Sowerbyna

Ladder Shell AcrillaAcuminate Spiny Frog Shell Bursa SpinosaLimpet Scutusunguls Spiral Babylon Babylonia SpirataLined Moon NaticaLineate Spotted Tun TonnadoliumMargin Shell MelampusCoffea Sundial Shell ArchitectonicAlaevigateMargin Shell PyramidellaPulchella Telescope Shell PotamidiscIngulatisMargin Shell SiphonariaBasseineusis Telescope Shell TelescopiumTelescopiumMargin Shell MelampussIncaporensis Threaded Mitre MitraCirculaMitre Shell ChrysameAmbigua Top Shell EuchelusAsperMitre Shell MitraObeliscus Top Shell EuchelustricarinatusMoon Snail NaticaDidyma Top Shell Astraea SemicostataMoon Snail NaticaMaculosa Top Shell Astraea StellataMoon Snail NaticaPicta Top Shell ClanculusCeylanicusMoon Snail NaticaPulcaria Top Shell IsandacreNuliferaMurex Shell Murex Adustus Top Shell UmboniumVestiarumMurex Shell Murex Tribulus TuberculatedFro

gBursa Tuberculata

Nerites Neritaoryzarum ShellNutmeg Shell CancellariaCostifera Turret Shell DrillaatKinsoniOlive Shell OlibaneBalosa Turrid Shell ClavusCrassaOlive Shell OlivagibBosa Turrid Shell SurculaAmictaOx-Plate Nerite NeritaAlbicella Turrid Shell SurculaFulminata



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Periwinkle LittorinaUndulate Violet Snail JanthinaRoseolaPeriwinkle LittorinaIntermediate Violet Nerita NeritaCrepidularia- Planaxisacutus Whelk CanthaRusspiralis- Planaxissulcatus Whelk EassidulaNucleus- PlanaxisSimiles Whelk EllobiumAurisjudeRed BandedMoon

Naticarufa Whelk EnginaZea

Snail Whelk HemifusUspugilinusRock Shell DrupaContracta Whelk NassarinaSuturalisRock Shell DrupaHippocastanum Whelk Pi/a DoloidesRock Shell DrupaKonkanensis Whelk PoliaRubiginosaMolluscs (Bivalves)- AiptasioMorphaluciae- DidumeneSchilleriana- IschnochitonComputusWorms, Marine LeechesBorer Worms PistaSp. Feather/duster VemiliopsisGlandigerusBristle Worm ChloeisRosea WormBristle Worm EurythoeComplanata Feather-duster DasychoneCingulatusErrantBurrowing

GlyceraAlba Worm

Worm Feather-duster DasychoneserratiBranchisFan Worm SabellariaSp. WormFeather-duster PotamillaLeptochaeta Sea mouse PanthalisoErstediWorm Sea Worm Palydora (Polydora) CoecaFeather-duster SpirographisSpallanzanii Sea mouse PolyedontesMelanonotusWorm Sea Worm PerinereisAibuhitensisFlat Worm TurbiniariaCrater Sea Worm PerinereisCultriferavar.Palolo Worm Diopatraneopolitana TypicalPalolo Worm Eunice Antennata Sea Worm PerinereisNigro-punctataPalolo Worm Eunice Tentaculata Sea Worm PerinereisNuntiavar.Palolo Worm MarphysasAnguines BrevicirrisPalolo Worm OnuphisSp. Sea Worm PerinereisNuntiavar. TypicalSea Worm ArabellairiColor Sea Worm PerinereisVancauricaVar.Sea Worm BhawaniaCryptocephala indicaSea Worm CirriformiaLimnoricola Sea Worm Perinereisvancauricavar.Sea mouse GattyanaDeludens TypicalSea mouse HarmothoeAmpullifera Sea Worm PhyllochfietopterussocialisSea mouse LeaniraJaponica Sea mouse Sthenelais boaSea mouse Lepidonotuscarinulatus Sea Worm Syllis (Haplasylle's)Sea Worm Nereis (Ceratonereis) Costae spongicolaSea Worm Nereis (Ceratonereis) Mirabilis Sea Worm Syllis (Sylle's) gracilisSea Worm Nereis (Nereis) Chilkaensis Sea Worm Syllis(Typosylle's)

closterobranchiaSea Worm Nereis (Nereis)Chingrighattensis Sea Worm Syllis (Typosylle's)Varie

gataWorms CoclomateCommon EarthWorm

LumbriconeriesHeteropoda

African EarthWorm

OchetostomaBombayensis

Horseshoe crab, King crab, Scorpion, Sea spiders, Crabs, Lobsters,Shrimp, BarnaclesCrab AcetesIndicus Porcelain Crab PetrolisthesBosciiCrab Charybdis Annulata (not a true crab)



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Crab CirolanaSp. Porcelain Crab PhilyraGlobosaCrab Diogenes Custus Soldier Crab DotillaMyctiroidesCrab Diogenes Miles Swimmer Crab PortunusPelagicusCrab ElamenaCristatipes Swimmer Crab PortunusSanguinolentusCrab LeptodiusArassimanus Prawn PenaeusJaponicus'Crab LigiaExotica Mantis Shrimp SquillaNepaCrab Linnoria (Limnoria) Bombayensis Mantis Shrimp SquillaRaphidaeCrab MacropthalaMussulcatus Mantis Shrimp SquillaScorpioCrab. Eight oared MatutaPlanipes Mantis Shrimp SquillaInterruptaSwimming Shrimp GondactylusChircraCrab. Dolly MatutaVictor Shrimp HippolysmataenSiostrisVarden Acorn Barnacle Balanus Amphitrite Var.Crab Metopomessor CommunisCrab OziusRugulosus Acorn Barnacle BalanusTintinnabulumCrab PinnotheresSp. TintinnabulumCrab SchizophrysAspera Barnacle Balanus Amphitrite Var.Crab SesarmeOceanica CommunisCrab SybidoteaVariegate Barnacle BalanusTintinnabulumCrab ThalamitAcrenata Barnacle CthamalusWithersiFiddler Crab UcaanNulipes Barnacle IblacumingiHermit Crab ClibanariusIntraspinatus Barnacle LepasspHermit Crab ClibanariusPadavensis Barnacle TetraclitaPurpurascensMasked Crab DorippeAstute Barnacle TetraclitellaPurpurascensSource: National Parks and Sanctuaries in Maharashtra: A Reference Guide Vol. II, 2005

184. There are no eco-sensitive zones or protected areas on the cable route, therefore noprimary study has been carried out in sea upto 12 nm. The secondary data fromreputed organizations like CMFRI, FSI, ZSIetc. shows that there exists rich biologicalmarine resources in coastal waters of Mumbai which are listed above. Alsodisturbance caused by cable laying operation would be temporary in nature. Activitieswhich may lead to impact the marine life are bed burial and descending of cable.These activities will cause a temporary shock to the marine life but for a very shortduration. Thus it seems that impact anticipated on marine life is not significant. Alsoall mitigation measures are proposed to be taken during cable laying operation tominimize the disturbance to marine habitat. These are discussed in Chapter 4 indetail.

3.3.11. Fishing Activities near the Cable Route185. The Department of Fisheries for Maharashtra lists the number of motorised fishing

craft in the area at approximately 3,400. The number of traditional fishing crafts islisted at slightly over 7,000.

186. The larger vessels measure approximately 35’ in length, whereas the small morenumerous timber vessels measure approximately 10’.



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187. Most of the fishing operations use gill nets and fish traps. Larger vessels employtrawling boards. However, these generally fish above the sea bed by some 10 to 15meters and accordingly are not expected to impact the cable laying process. Figures3.12 and 3.13 depict the typical large and small fishing vessel.

Figure 3.12 : Typical Larger Fishing Vessel with Trawl Boards

Figure 3.13 : Typical Small Fishing Vessel



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3.3.12. Dumping and Dredging Activities188. The shipping channel approaching Mumbai Harbour is dredged to maintain a depth

of 11 m, and there are several spoil dumping areas adjacent to the channel. Theplanned AAE-1 route is no closer than 25 km from the dredged area and 20 km fromthe closest spoil area.

189. It is important to note that there are several coastal projects that are impacting otherexisting/planned cable systems in Mumbai. These projects include amonument/statue being erected in the Back Bay area and two coastalbridges/flyovers being built to ease traffic congestion in the same area. It is possiblethat additional coastal bridges in Mumbai may be constructed in the future. All ofthese projects are expected to involve some dredging, dumping, and reclamationactivities. These activities should be monitored throughout the life of the project, andcoordination efforts should be made to ensure there are no impacts to the installedcables.

3.3.13. Military Activities and Manoeuvre Areas190. There are charted Indian submarine exercise areas off West Coast of India in deep

seas, which are away from the cable route.

3.3.14. Inland Passenger Water Trasnport Project and VersovaBandra Sea link191. Inland Passenger Water Transport (IPWT) Project along West Coast of Mumbai

envisages construction of terminal and operation facilities at six locations namely,Marve, Borivali, Versova, Juhu, Bandra and Nariman Point, and operation. Theproposed Versova terminal is to the South of cable landing. The location of theproposed sea link is away from cable route and BMH.

3.3.15. Marine Protected Areas192. There are 31 Marine Protected Area (MPA) sites all over India. The location of the

Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch is presented in Figure 3.15. The MPA sitelies well north of the proposed Versova landing site.

193. There also are 26 Ramsar sites all over India. However, none of the 26 sites arelocated close to the Versova landing site as well as cable route.

Figure 3.14 : MPA Sites lie well north of Versova



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4. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONMEASURES

4.1. Prelude

194. This chapter focuses on the probable impacts of the Project “Asia-Africa-Europe-1(AAE-1) Submarine Cable System” on individuals and the surrounding environment.Impact can be defined as “any effect of the service”. Definition of impact makes itclear that an impact can be either positive or negative. The essential element of animpact is change.

195. Environmental Impact Assessment study is done to assess the magnitude andsignificance of the change which may impact the society and the surroundingenvironment. The study is carried out to judge environmental feasibility of the project.Impact assessment study is the key requirement for framing environmentmanagement plan for any project. Depending on the magnitude and significance ofthe impact, suitable mitigation measures can be proposed for environmentalmanagement plan (EMP).

196. A qualitative assessment has been carried out for this project to identify the impactand assess the degree of the change that it can cause.

4.2. Anticipated Impacts and Associated Activities

197. Impacts anticipated due to the project development in construction and operationphase are listed in Table 4.1. Key identified environmental issues are described inthe following sections.

Table 4.1 : Potential Sources of Environmental Impacts

SourceNo. Types of Likely Environmental Issues Construction

PhaseOperation

Phase1. Gaseous emissions 2. Dust 3. Odor 4. Noise 5. Night-time operations 6. Traffic generation

7.Liquid effluent generation, discharges, orcontaminated run-off

8. Generation of waste or by-products

9.Storage, handling, transport or disposal ofhazardous materials or waste

10. Risk of accidents that would result in pollutionor hazard

11.Disposal of material, including potentiallycontaminated material

12.Disruption of water movement or bottomsediment

This Chapter deals with the impact assessment study associated with the project. Ithelps to identify and assess the impacts prior to project development such that propermeasures can be taken to reduce or mitigate the negative impacts of the project andenhance the project benefits. The Chapter also describes the proposed mitigationmeasures for the Project.



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SourceNo. Types of Likely Environmental Issues Construction

PhaseOperation

Phase13. Unsightly visual appearance 14. Ecological impacts (marine) 15. Socio-economic 16. Health and safety 17. Fishing 18. Recreation and tourism

Note:Potential to cause concernUnlikely to cause any concern

4.2.2. Construction Phase198. The environmental consequences during the construction phase of the proposed

AAE-1Submarine Cable System landing at Versova Beach are anticipated to beshort-term, temporary, and minor. Onshore construction procedures includeexcavation of a trench using standard construction equipment. The land andsediment grade will return to pre-existing conditions within a relatively shorttimeframe following installation. All environmental conditions onshore and offshorethat exist prior to construction are anticipated to return to pre-installation conditionswith only minor, temporary impacts.

4.2.2.1 Gaseous Emission and Odor199. The sources of air emissions during the construction phase include emissions from

the engine driven construction machinery and vehicular emissions, DG sets,earthworks (excavation, compacting activities, etc.), trenching, and mechanical /electrical installations. It is to be noted that construction of BMH and cable layingprocess on the beach will take only 3 weeks. There will be no odor associated withthe construction of BMH and cable laying process. As discussed in Chapter 3, theambient air quality of the landing site is well within the NAAQS for residential, ruraland other areas. However, there will be a slight change in the air quality due to theconstruction activity.

200. Sources of air pollution from ship include exhaust fumes from combustion of enginesand the equipment used for the cable laying operation. All such ships and vesselsare subjected to the national and international regulations on controlling emissions.As of now, there are no Indian regulations for emissions from the mobile sources;however, International standards like MARPOL4 (Marine Pollution) and International

4MARPOLis the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 as modifiedby the Protocol of 1978. It was designed to minimize pollution of the seas, including dumping, oil andexhaust pollution. Its stated object is to preserve the marine environment through the completeelimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidentaldischarge of such substances.All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL aresubject to its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member nations are responsible forvessels registered under their respective nationalities. There are six Annexures:

Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil (October 1983).Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (April 1987).Annex III: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried at Sea inPackaged Form (July 1992).Annex IV: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships (September 2003).Annex V: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (December 1998).Annex VI: Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (May 2005).



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Maritime Organization (IMO), and Marine Environment Protection Committee(MEPC) will be followed. The Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL Annex VI) sets the limits onSulphur Oxide and Nitrogen Oxide emissions from the ship exhaust.

201. Since there is no major construction work involved and the whole process of BMHconstruction and the cable laying will take only 3 weeks, the impact related togaseous emissions and odor is therefore considered to be “Low” and “Insignificant”.

4.2.2.2 Dust202. Construction of the BMH and the cable laying process at Versova Beach will

generate dust. However, the construction will be small scale and no significant dustimpacts will result. The dust control measures stipulated in the EMP will be appliedduring the construction phase to mitigate any impact due to dust. Any dust impactsassociated with the Project aretherefore considered to be “Low”.

4.2.2.3 Noise203. During the construction of the BMH and cable laying process, noise will be generated

because of the use of jackhammers and excavators. The construction work will becarried out during day time hours only. These equipment have a noise range of 75-85dB(A).

204. Noise generated from the barge and cable laying equipment during the submarinecable installation will be minimal, and therefore, no unacceptable noise impacts uponthe nearby residential and commercial areas will result from this project. Thus noiseimpacts associated with the Project are therefore considered to be “Medium”.

4.2.2.4 Liquid Effluent205. The onshore construction activities will not generate any liquid effluent. However,

there will be only sanitary wastewater generation from the ship used for cable layingoperations.

206. The sanitary wastewater on the ship is generally from toilets, washrooms, galleys etc.The volume and quantity of such wastewater varies with the number of personsonboard. Sanitary wastewater will be treated and disposed off as per MARPOLguidelines. Therefore, the anticipated impact will be “Negligible”.

4.2.2.5 Solid Waste207. Solid wastes will include construction debris, excavated soil, packaging material,

scrap metal, vehicle/ equipment maintenance waste, etc. While soil will be re-utilizedfor the BMH (trench) construction, other waste will be segregated and stored at thesite and will be recycled to the extent possible. There will be no adverse impact onthe environment due to any solid waste material associated with the Project.

208. Wastes generated from the ships are normally divided into two categories - solid non-hazardous waste and hazardous waste. The waste expected to be generated duringthe route survey and cable laying operations are tabulated in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 : Waste Generated during Cable Laying Operation

Waste Type Source of Generation Nature of ReleaseNon-hazardous WasteDomestic waste and generalwaste

Onboard general activities Intermittent; Non-recyclablebiodegradable



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Waste Type Source of Generation Nature of ReleaseEmpty plastic containers ofnon-hazardous material etc.

Packaging material recyclable biodegradable

Paper, packing material,cables, steel, etc.

Packaging material Intermittent; recyclablebiodegradable

Empty metal containers ofnon-hazardous material

Packaging material Intermittent; recyclablebiodegradable

Hazardous WasteClinical waste Medical treatment Intermittent; small quantityWaste oil and sludge Fuel oil storage IntermittentSpecial waste (batteries andused filters)

Machinery Intermittent

209. The non-hazardous waste will be segregated and collected in a designated areawithin the ship or barge and will be disposed off as per MARPOL guidelines. Anynon-recyclable or re-usable non-hazardous waste will be transported to municipallandfills. Appropriate facilities will be provided in the ships and barge for storage andhandling of hazardous waste generated during the construction phase. Thehazardous waste will be disposed off as per the MARPOL guidelines. The impactassociated with the Project is therefore considered to be “Low”.

4.2.2.6 Geology and Sediments210. The environmental impacts of constructing the cable network on the geology or

sedimentary characteristics of the Arabian Sea and along the proposed submarinecorridor will be temporary and have no anticipated significant impact over the lifetimeof the project. The cable material is composed of inert materials that will not alter thegeological or physical properties of the seafloor. Displacement of sediments withinthe route is only temporary, and sediments will settle back into the jetted trenchimmediately following installation.

211. No permanent or long-term impacts associated with the Project are anticipated thatwill affect the quality of sediments, including texture or other chemical characteristics.For the excavation of the underwater trench near the seashore, a seawater jettingsystem will be adopted. The seabed materials are moved to form the trench duringthe jetting operation, which naturally will re-form and “backfill” the trench after theburial tool has passed. Therefore, there will be no material excavated and/orremoved from the site.

212. During the plough burial, the seabed sediments will be disturbed and a smallpercentage will be lost to suspension in the lower part of the water column in theimmediate vicinity of the plough.

213. During cable laying, the seabed sediment will be released at the bottom of the watercolumn, resulting in a highly localized suspended sediment concentration and highsettling velocities. At high concentrations and within a localized area, suspendedsediment tends to form large aggregations of sediment particles (i.e., flocculation)that have a higher settling velocity than the individual sediment particles. It isexpected that the suspended sediments will remain within 1 m of the seabed, whichis independent of water depth. The current velocities at the seabed are lower thanthose near the water surface due to effects such as bottom friction.

214. Therefore, impact on the geology and sediments due to the Project is considered tobe “Low” and “Negligible.”

4.2.2.7 Water Quality



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215. The impacts to the quality of the water resources within the Arabian Sea should beminimal and temporary. No long-term, permanent, or significant impacts on chemicalor physical characteristics or the quantity of available water resource within theproject area are anticipated.

216. During the ploughing of the submarine section of the cable, the impacts to waterquality from will be in the form of seabed sediments suspended in the water column,which will form a dense cloud in the immediate vicinity of the cable laying operationsand, due to the high concentrations and the close proximity of the release to theseabed, will settle back onto the seabed rapidly. For this project, the surroundingseawater will be used for the jetting system.

217. Other sources of water quality impacts during the land-based activities primarilyrelate to surface water run-off and discharge of pumped water, if any. The followingmeasures will be incorporated to prevent any adverse impacts:

Surface run-off from the construction site (hard concrete pavement) will bedirected into storm drains via adequately designed sand/silt removal facilities;

Any water pumped from the excavated trenches will pass through silt-removalfacilities prior to discharge to storm drains;

Silt removal facilities, channels, and manholes will be maintained regularly at theonset of and after each rainstorm; and

Stockpiles of material will be covered with tarpaulin or a similar fabric.

218. Based on the discussion above, impacts on water quality during the onshoreconstruction phase are therefore rated as “Low” and “Negligible.”

4.2.2.8 Marine Ecology219. It is not expected that the proposed site construction will cause any significant

impacts on marine ecology. The potential impact on marine ecology from cableinstallation are as follows:

Direct physical damage to flora and fauna from grappling, ploughing, cablemovement, anchoring and seabed disturbance by vessels;

Excessive turbidity leading to depletion of dissolved oxygen levels; and

Asphyxiation of organisms with displaced sediment.

220. There are no direct impacts anticipated on the marine ecology of the surroundingarea as there are no sensitive coral reefs and other sensitive receptors along theplanned cable RoW. The turbidity effects during project installation phase are alsoshort-lived. Furthermore, native species in near shore environments are capable ofadapting such short period elevated high turbidity. The baseline cable route surveydid not encounter any sensitive species.

221. In general, the project works are likely to cause a few potential adverse effects whichpersist for a short duration. The impacts are rated to be “Negligible” to “Low” sincethere are no sensitive habitats along the cable route.

4.2.2.9 Terrestrial Ecology222. No endangered and threatened species have been identified in the study area.

Mangroves are located outside the 500 meters core zone. However, these will not beaffected by activities of the proposed project.



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223. Thus, there are “Nil” impacts associated with the Project.

4.2.2.10 Fishing Activities224. Fishing and cables can potentially interact during the installation phase and

sometimes after the cable is deployed. During the cable installation, there is a risk ofmutual obstruction both by vessels and by towed equipment, consisting of nets trawlsand lines deployed by fishermen and survey equipment grapnels or cables by cableinstallers. Fishing activities of one sort or another will be most intense on theContinental Shelf. There may be trawlers operating throughout the area. Fishing withdrift nets can be expected.

225. Since the cable laying operations are carried out for relatively shorter periods, theimpacts are considered to be “Negligible”.

4.2.2.11 Shipping Activities226. Both cable route survey and cable installation can cause temporary disruptions to

shipping traffic flow. However, these operations are of short duration and cangenerally be accommodated without significant disturbance to normal shippingactivities.

227. Generally, all marine activities should be notified to the nearest port in the area, sothat vessels can be warned in advance of the ongoing operations. When operatingwithin Port limits or close to navigational channels, “Notices to Mariners” will beissued in coordination with concerned agencies. Historic data on subject did notreveal and indicate any adverse impact on shipping due to cable installation andmaintenance operations. Hence, the impact on shipping can be classified as“Negligible”.

4.2.2.12 Recreation and Tourism228. The cable will terminate near the main entry to Versova Beach. The beach is not

used much for recreational activities and is mainly used by the local people. Hence,there will be “No” direct impacts on recreational use and tourism activities.

4.2.2.13 Cultural and Heritage229. There are no cultural and heritage sites that could be affected due to the proposed

cable laying and construction along or in close proximity to the cable route.Therefore, there will be “No” impacts to the cultural and heritage sites due to theProject.

4.2.2.14 Socio-economics230. The construction and installation activities related to this project will cause temporary

increase in income and employment in the surrounding area. There is no likelihood ofany adverse impacts on community services, schools, housing, or other localservices and facilities. Once completed, the proposed submarine cable couldpotentially create a small number of additional jobs.

4.2.3. Operational Stage231. In an installed submarine cable system, normally the only three materials exposed to

sea water and ocean floor are: Polyethylene, Blown Asphalt and Polypropylene yarn.The external protection of the cable comprises of naturally occurring bitumen(asphalt) which adheres to the outer polypropylene roving to the armour wires. Thematerial of the outer most layer of the cable is inert and hence there will be no bio-degradation or anti-fouling of the cable. The other cable components in contact withthe sea are the galvanized steel armour wires and the polyethylene sheath, which



4-7

also contain no additives harmful to marine life. These components when exposed tothe sea environment will not cause any adverse impact.

232. Any repair or recovery work will be done with utmost care, not to disturb the seabed.The impacts above are found to be either “Negligible” or “Low” for the operationalphase.

4.3. Impact Assessment and Proposed Mitigation

233. Detailed assessment of the anticipated impact was made to assess the significanceof these impacts on environment. Suitable mitigation measures have been proposedaccordingly and the significance of these impacts was re-analyzed after the proposedmitigation measures. The impact assessment of the project along with the proposedmitigation measures are tabulated in Table 4.3.



4-8

Table 4.3 : Impact Assessment of the Project with propos ed Mitigations

S. No. Environmental Issues Receptors Significancewithout

mitigationmeasures

Mitigation Measures Significancewith

mitigationmeasures

1. Gas Emissions andOdour

(SO2, NOX, CO, PM10,PM2.5)

Human,Flora andFauna

Lowand

Insignificant

Onshore Activities

Comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards for residential,rural and other areas.

Offshore Activities

Procure standard construction equipment and vehicles. Plan periodic maintenance schedules including engine tuning, filter

cleaning, etc. for construction equipment and vehicle. Minimize idling time of fuel run heavy equipments by adequate

planning of construction activity. Plan periodic maintenance schedules including engine tuning, filter

cleaning etc for vessels. Comply with international standards. Cable laying vessel conforms to IMO/MARPOL standards in relation to

prevention of air pollution (among others). Thus, under normalcircumstances the vessel represents no risk as a source of airpollution.

Insignificant

2. Dust Human,Flora andFauna

Low Onshore Activities

Stockpiles of excavated soil and loose construction material shall beless than 2 m height with a gradient of 2:1 to minimize the dustgeneration due to wind; and,

Implementation of dust suppression methods (e.g. water spraying etc.)at dust prone areas;

Nil

3. Noise

MediumOnshore Activities

Comply with Ambient Air Quality Standards with respect to noise,



4-9


mitigationmeasures


mitigationmeasures

Human andmarinefauna

2009.Avoid night time operation on the beach.Use only well maintained equipment. Install suitable enclosures forhigh noise equipment, wherever required and feasible.

Provide personal protection equipment (ear plugs or ear muffs) to allworkers operating in the vicinity of high noise generating machines.

Monitor noise levels regularly to check compliance with the standards.The acoustic systems used in cable route survey sonaruse very highfrequencies which do not affect the cetaceans.

Offshore Activities

The cable laying vessel does not deploy high powered or lowfrequency seismic or sonar survey technology, and noise will be limitedto that associated with engines and thrusters. However, there will beno significant addition to the level of background noise in the watercolumn.

Reducing the time for equipment use.

Low

4. Liquid Effluents MarineFlora andFauna

Negligible Offshore Activities

Sanitary wastewater shall be managed as per MARPOL guidelines.

Nil

5. Solid Waste Human,Flora andFauna

Low Onshore Activities

The excavated soil generated during the construction of BMH andcable laying process will be used for reinstatement.

Concrete debris generated during the BMH construction will bedisposed off as per Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)guidelines.

Offshore Activities

The non-hazardous waste will be segregated and collected in a

Nil



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mitigationmeasures


mitigationmeasures

designated area within the ship and disposed off as per MARPOLguidelines.

Any non-recyclable or re-usable non-hazardous wastewill betransported to municipal landfills.

Appropriate facilities will be provided in the ships and barge for storageand handling of hazardous waste generated during the constructionphase which will be managed as per MARPOL guidelines.

6. Geology andSediments

Marine floraand fauna

Lowand

NegligibleOnshore Activities

Sediments removed from sea bed (> 15 m) deep by plough burial willbe in form of wedges that will be placed back as plough burial movesforward. Sediments dispersed will settle back due to the heavy oceancurrents.

Vessel dynamic positioning ability will enable vessel to hold stationwithout use of anchors. Therefore, no anchoring impacts on sea bedwill occur due to vessel.

Low

7. Water Quality Marine floraand Fauna

Lowand


Vessels operating during route survey and cable laying operation shallbe equipped with spill response kit and comply with internationalmaritime laws such as MARPOL.

Discharge of waste or accidental discharge from the vessels will beprevented.

Avoid burial operation in strong current water to minimize sedimentdisturbance.

Debris retrieved during prelay grapnel run will be collected in vesseland will be disposed offshore as per prescribed standards.

Low

8. Marine Ecology Marine floraand fauna

Lowand


Avoidance of ecologically important and sensitive areas duringselection of final cable route.

Low



4-11


mitigationmeasures


mitigationmeasures

Monitoringwill be undertaken to ensure marine ecology is not disturbedduring cable laying process.

Avoid burial operations in strong current water to minimize sedimentdisturbance.

Cable laying vessel will comply with MARPOL guidelines. Speed of cable laying vessel will be restricted to a maximum of 6knots. Thus there will be low collision risks to cetaceans as comparedto fast moving large vessels.

Cable to be used is resistant to coiling and thus low risks of marineanimals to get entangled within cable.

Competent and experienced crew members will be nominated so thatthey can observe marine species while performing the task. Also theycan use their experience and review available literature to avoidsensitive zones and whale encounter zones.

If any injury to whale or any other organism happen to occur, incidentwill be reported to competent authority

9. Fishing Activities Humans Negligible Offshore Activities

The presence of fishing fixed nets will be investigated during the cablelay process near the landing site.

Cable burial shall be adopted as the main method of protecting cablesfrom fishing activities.

Nil

10. Shipping Activities Humans Negligible Offshore Activities

All marine activities shall be notified to the nearest ports in the area, sothat vessels can be warned in advance of the ongoing operations.

When operating within Port limits or close to navigational channels,“Notice to Mariners” shall be issued in coordination with concernedagencies.

Nil



4-12

4.4. Conclusion

234. A detailed impact analysis has been carried out to identify the impacts associatedwith the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System and its effects on the receptors.Accordingly, mitigation measures have been proposed to minimize the adverseimpacts due to the Project. As can be seen from the Table 4.1 and 4.3, and thediscussion above, the Project will not cause any adverse impact on the environment.



5-1

5. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

5.1. Prelude

235. Reliance JioInfocomm Limited(RJIL) is implementing the AAE-1 Submarine CableSystem landing at Versova Beach in Mumbai (Maharashtra) through TE SubComwho has been contracted for the deployment of the undersea communication cablesystem. TE SubCom shall be responsible for installing cable and repeaters and willalso be responsible for project management, system design, commissioning andmarine operations. TE SubCom will also be responsible to ensure compliance of theEMP, as applicable to them.

236. A properly prepared EMP helps in planning and monitoring of various environmentalparameters in and around the project area and helps in identifying critical parametersfor timely corrective actions. The aim of the EMP is to ensure that the variousadverse impacts associated with the Project are properly mitigated; either bypreventing the impacts or by mitigating those to reduce the effect to an acceptablelevel by adopting the most suitable techno-economical option. The EMP also ensuresthat the positive impacts associated with the Project are conserved and enhanced.

5.2. The EMP

237. An EMP consists of a set of mitigation, monitoring and institutional measuresapplicable to design, construction and operation (Post construction) stages. Themajor components of EMP are:

Implementation of mitigation measures for mitigation of potentially adverseimpacts

Monitoring during project implementation and operation

Integration of EMP with project planning and implementation framework

Implementation schedule

238. The EMP has been designed considering regulatory and other requirements toensure minimal disturbance to the baseline environmental conditions in the projectarea.

239. EMP for both construction and operation phase of the project is defined with respectto activities which may have an impact on the environment and society. Themitigation measures, as proposed in Table 4.3, will be implemented under the overallsupervision of TE SubCom (Contractor) EHS personnel and other technical staff.

240. Additional best practices and management plan for various concern areas foronshore and offshore activities are defined in the Sections below.

5.2.1. Oil Pollution Management Plan241. There may be incidents in the operation of a vessel whereby oil or oil and water

mixtures can enter the sea and cause pollution. Cable laying vessel will comply withMARPOL guidelines and hence it shall be ensured that there are no oil spills.

This Chapters details out the management plan developed for ensuring the effectiveimplementation of proposed mitigation measures and protection of environment duringand after project implementation.



5-2

242. No waste oil generation is anticipated during onshore activities.

5.2.2. Garbage Management Plan243. Garbage management is the most important component of the EMP as it can impact

air, water and soil environment and degrade the quality. Cable laying vessel willcomply with MARPOL guidelines and hence it shall be ensured that garbagemanagement plan is followed as per the guidelines.

244. Garbage Management Plan on Beach : During the construction of BMH and cablelaying process, garbage will be generated as there will be excavation of sand anddrilling of concrete. Also, small quantity of domestic waste may be generated as 8-10personnel will be appointed for the beach operations. Any domestic waste generated,however small quantity, will be properly collected and disposed off in the dustbinprovided by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), near VersovaBeach, Mumbai. Most of the excavated sand will be re-filled and the remaining will bespread over the Beach. Any concrete debris will be disposed off as per MCGMguidelines. Any cable cutting and packaging material remains will be disposed off asper Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) (MSW) Rules, 2000.

5.2.3. Sewage Management Plan245. Sewage expected to be generated on-board will be managed as per MARPOL

guidelines as the cable laying vesselto be used will comply with MARPOL. Also thevessel to be used for cable laying will be certified for International Sewage PollutionPrevention.

5.2.4. Air Emissions Management Plan246. Cable laying vessel will comply with MARPOL guidelines. Emissions expected to be

generated from cable laying vessel will be within the specified limits as per MARPOL.Small quantity of dust and exhaust gases are expected to be generated fromexcavators and jackhammers. Excavators and jackhammers that will be used at theProject Site will carry PUC certificates and will only use low sulphur diesel as the fuel.The construction of BMH and the cable laying process will take approximately 3weeks and thus the effect, if any, will be temporary and insignificant. Water will besprinkled over excavated sand and concrete to suppress dust generation. Sand willbe re-filled immediately and concrete debris will be disposed off after cable layingand beach will be restored back to its original state.

5.2.5. Noise Management Plan247. During the marine operations, noise will be generated by engines, thrusters etc.

Noise generated by these is negligible as compared to background noise of watercolumn. Sonar technology is used for cable route survey using high frequency soundwaves (above normal hearing range of marine animal), which will have no impact onmarine organisms.

248. During the construction of BMH and cable laying process, noise will be generated bythe operation of excavators and jackhammers. Excavators have a noise range of 75-85 dB(A) and the jackhammers emit a noise level of some 100 dB(A). Excavatorsand jackhammers will be operated only for 1-2 days for construction of BMH (4 m x 2m x 2 m) and cable route (80-100 meters length and 1 meter deep). Ear plugs will begiven to men at work and construction will be carried out during day time only.



5-3

5.2.6. Bio-Diversity Management Plan249. Undersea cable laying operation will have minimal and temporary impact on marine

ecology. However, management plan for bio-diversity protection has been prepared.The details of which are listed below.

1. The burial activity will take place away from areas with higher conservation value.

2. There will be no discharge of liquid effluents and solid waste in marine waters.

3. Speed of cable laying vessel will be restricted to a maximum of 6 knots which isvery less as compared to large moving vessels. This low speed ensures lowcollision risks to cetaceans as compared to fast moving large vessels.

4. Cable that will be used for the Project is resistant to coiling. This will ensure lowrisks of marine animals getting entangled within cable.

5. Competent and experienced crew members will be nominated so that they canobserve marine species while performing the task. Also, they can use theirexperience and review available literature to avoid sensitive zones and whaleencounter zones.

6. Standard speed and specific route will only be followed during the cable layingprocess.

7. Burial depth at sea bed will not exceed 1 meter. Sediments will be removed aswedges by plough burial causing minimum disturbance to habitat of micro floradwelling near the seabed. These wedges will be placed back as soon as theplough burial moves forward. This will lower the chances of disturbance to habitatof benthos and bottom dwellers.

8. There is no external electric field associated with the cable. Polyethylene is theouter covering of the cable and it serves as an excellent insulator. Concentricrings of very low magnetic field are set up around the cable, due to presence ofinternal conductor, but its strength diminishes with the distance.

250. Due to sandy nature of beach, no vegetation is found on the Beach. Excavation ofsand may disturb the inhabiting micro flora and fauna residing in sand on beach.Utmost care will be taken to ensure zero mortality of any insect or other faunaspecies during the sand excavation. Sand removed will be filled back immediatelyafter cable laying and termination operation. Floral and faunal life will be restoredback very shortly as the cable laying process on beach will take only 3 weeks.

5.3. Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan

251. Health and Safety Management Plan has been drafted for both the employeesandvisitors at the Project Site. Health and safety plan defines the roles andresponsibilities of the participants of EHS cell.

252. Roles and Responsibility of Departmental Manager (Marine): The DepartmentalManager (Marine) is responsible for establishment of safe working practices andcompliance with the health and safety legislation for the Marine off-site operations.During Marine operations, the shipboard Project Manager will be responsible forensuring the health and safety of the TE SUBCOM team on board, that theprocedures and instructions on the vessel are followed and that all appropriate



5-4

vessel, equipment and health and safety documentation is on-board and is mostcurrent.

253. Roles and Responsibilities of Site Directors are: The roles and responsibilities ofthe Site Directors are listed below:

1. For maintaining the site in safe condition by implementing following controls

Safe systems of Work: Maintenance of plant permit to work systems

Statutory Testing of all the construction machinery and equipment

Fire Precaution: Examination/testing of all equipment

Environmental Controls: Temperature, dust, lightning, noise, ventilation,pollution and cleanliness

Machine Guarding: To comply with legislation

Electricity: Safe installation and usage

Safety of Visitors: Warning signs, risk area identification and display

2. Ensuring no health and safety risk are introduced onto the site through theiractivities and all of their contractors’ activities are covered by risk assessmentand method statement.

3. Providing Competent Authorized persons for all relevant pieces of legislation.4. Ensuring that all personnel are formally informed, trained and accept their Health

and Safety responsibilities.5. Ensuring that safe methods of working and risk assessments are established and

maintained.6. Providing sufficient competent resources to establish and maintain an effective

EHS management system and ensure its continual improvement.7. Implementing the EHS policy.8. Providing EHS representatives and committees.

254. Roles and Responsibility of Employee and Sub Contractors :All employee andtemporary workers/contactors are responsible for:

1. Working safely and efficiently by using protective equipment provided and bymeeting statutory requirements.

2. Adhering to health and safety procedures and rules for securing a safe workplace.

3. Raising EHS issue to their supervisor or to an appointed representative.4. Co-operating in the investigation of accidents to aid prevention of a recurrence

5.4. Emergency Preparedness Plan

255. Project involves deployment of cable on the seabed and construction of BMHon theBeach. Both the operations have certain risks involved, which can be either naturalsuch as cyclone, tsunami, earthquake, shark attack etc.or man-made such as failureof construction machinery or equipment, slip and fall etc.that can occur during thecable deployment process.

256. First aid process is implemented by TE SubCom as a statutory requirement coveringprovision of trained personnel and first aid facilities. An on-site emergency plan willbe prepared which shall define plans and processes for responding to and recoveringfrom emergency situations (major incidents or minor localised incidents).



5-5

5.5. Institutional Framework:

257. Roles and Responsibilities : The EMP will be implemented by RJIL with technicalmanpower and best EHS practice support from TE SubCom. One official will bedesignated from RJIL to ensure effective implementation of EMP. TE SubCom willalso depute trained EHS professionals to ensure effective implementation of theproposed mitigation measures during the construction phase of the Project.

258. Time Frame : The construction of BMH and the complete cable laying process willtake approximately three weeks of time.

259. Environmental Monitoring : During the construction phase, monitoring will becarried out for noise and air emissions, as required. In addition to that,TE SubComdesignated officer will monitor and ensure adherence to TE SubCom operationprocedures and proposed management plans. No environmental monitoring isproposed during operation (post construction stage). Monitoring reports will besubmitted as per regulatory requirements and internal procedures of the RJIL and TESubCom.

260. Environmental Budget : No separate capital investment is required since allmitigation measures are related either to the design and constructions stage ormonitoring during various stages of its implementation. Required money for ensuringimplementation of mitigation measures and adherence to EMP will be part ofconstruction budget and thus requisite money will be available for implementation ofthe EMP.

261. Grievance Redress Mechanism: Any complaint or suggestion received from theinterested parties will be analyzed by designated EHS site officer of TE SubCom. Hewill intimate the Project Proponent for the corrective and preventive action required tobe taken, if any.

5.6. Disaster Management Plan

262. Project involves laying the undersea fiber optic communication cable to link SouthAsia to Africa and Europe via the Middle East. This cable system is known as Asia-Africa-Europe One cable systems. It will be one of the first largest cable systemsconnecting 15 countries Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman, UAE,Qatar, Yemen, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France.

263. Cable in India will terminate at Versova Beach in Mumbai. Project developmentinvolves two phases, i,e, cable deployment phase and operation phase.

264. Cable deployment phase has certain impacts related to the general accidents, fire inthe ship and ship submergence. However, there is no chemical or hazardous riskassociated with the deployment process. Any risk associated with the operation ofthe ship shall be managed by TE SubCom by following the international standards(SOLAS) and complying with the prescribed safety standards for laying down themarine cable.

265. It is anticipated that there will be no risk associated during operation phase of theproject as no activity except inspection and maintenance will be carried out at BMHsite.



i

6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSI ON

6.1. Summary

6.1.1. Beach Installation266. The BMH is located at a beach road connecting JP Road to Versova Beach, in front

of Harshvardhan Society, which is not intensively used for recreation. However,people from nearby areas access the Beach from the area and there may be somelocalised disruption of their activities during the construction phase. The completecable laying process will approximately take 3 weeks. After installation, beach will berestored to its original state. Impacts due to air pollution, odor, liquid effluent andsolid waste generation are low and insignificant. Also, there is no significant impactanticipated on terrestrial ecology, water quality and socio-economic conditions. Theonly medium impact associated with the Project will be due to noise generation at theProject Site.

6.1.2. Marine Installation267. The disturbance caused by cable laying operations can be assessed in two ways:

Very short duration (i.e., hours to 1 day) in which sediment settles and fishesreturn

Longer duration (i.e., months) in which the benthos re-colonizes the cable path

268. The impacts associated with the construction and installation of the fiber optic cableare site-specific and of a short duration (i.e., hours to a day). The predicted impactsare, therefore, low and insignificant. On the whole, the impacts would notsubstantially affect the maintenance and enhancement of long-term biologicalproductivity or pose long-term risks to health or safety of the area.

269. Impacts due to air pollution, odor, liquid effluent and solid waste generation are lowand can be easily mitigated by the mitigation measures as suggested in EMP. Also,there is medium impact anticipated on the marine ecology, water quality, fishing andshipping activities, which are reversible in nature and thus can be mitigated easily bythe mitigation measures as suggested in EMP.

6.1.3. Associated Risks270. Risk is minimal to the populace over the life of the system. The cable itself is

protected through varying means along the length of the route onshore and offshore.If standard safety and construction techniques are followed in the vicinity of thecable, such as notification prior to operations and marking of the cable route, risk ofdamage to the cable and electrocution is mitigated. Based on the lack of electricalfield and the minimal magnetic field, there is little to no known effect on the marinepopulation.

6.2. Conclusion

271. The impact assessment has demonstrated that the impacts likely to be generated inthe cable-laying operation in deep offshore water will be minimal. No impacts areexpected on fisheries or shipping activities provided normal international marineactivity procedures are followed.

This Chapter provides the summary and conclusions of the EIA study for the proposedproject, with overall justification for project implementation and a description of howadverse effects will be mitigated.



ii

272. Based on the EIA, it is clear that the AAE-1 Submarine Cable System landing andthe associated marine installation will have low and insignificant impacts on theenvironment. The activities of installation are of short duration. During the operationphase, there is no adverse impact associated with the cable laid. Thus, it can beconcluded that the project will not significantly impact the environment. The health,safety, and environmental mitigation measures mentioned in the report need to betaken to tackle any associated impact during the installation phase of the cable.

Environmental Assessment of Asia Africa Europe One (AAE-1) Submarine Cable System at Versova Beach, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

i

Annexure I – Cable Laying Vessel Details


ii

Annexure II – CRZ Report and Map

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

1103A

1047

1093

1133

1128

1134

1165

1177/5

1066

1180

1107

1177

1106

1053

1114

1111A

1094

1116

1078

1186

1175/1

1129

1179

1065

1064

1074

1061

1276

1063

1060

1111C

1281

1177/3

1177/2

1059

1100

1177/4

1103B

1077

1104

1097

1055

1069

1054

1075

1067

1071

1073

1098

1070

1068

1130

1092

1091

1083

1178

1056

1051

1111B

1057

1099

1105

1095

1103A/2

1129/14

1058

1062B

1108/9

1102

1129/32A

1086

1182

1108/5

1129/9

1083/1

1129

1062A

1108/8

1175/2

1110

1101

1175/3

1085

1108/4 1129/25

1084

1072

1096

1108/2

1082

1370

1087

1108/10

1089

1108/12

1090

1129/26

1108/15

1175/5

1108/7 1129

1283

1088

1129/28

1129/35

1129/34

1108/3

1108/6

1129/30

1108/11

1283/1

1072/8

1175/6

1129/8

1108/14

1129/241129/6

1072/6

1072/4

1072/91072/2

1129/5

1129/7

1108/13

1175/7

1072/3

1072/7

1129/4

1072/10

1129/31

1129/23

1129/3

1129/33

1129/20

1129/36

1072/1

1129/211129/22

1072/9999

1129/29

1129/15

1183

1129/27

1108/1

1175/8

1164

1175/9

1129/121129/11

1129/10

1129/13

1131

1129/32B

1143

1170

3/1/1

1148

1159

1156

1369

1142

1161

1168

1184

1149

1129/1

1129/32C

1158

1160

1163

1079

1129/2

1155

1135

1080

11571153

1169

11361140

1138

1154

1177/1

1166

1137

1144

1052

1172

1162

1081

1146

1115

1139

1171

1301/2B

1167

1076

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

12

11

10

72°49'0"E

72°49'0"E

72°48'30"E

72°48'30"E

19°8

'0"N

19°8

'0"N

PREPARED BY

INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSINGANNA UNIVERSITYCHENNAI - 600 025

FOR

M/s. RELIANCE JIO INFOCOMM LTD,D-7, DHAWANDEEP BUILDING

6, JANTAR MANTARNEW DELHI - 110 001, INDIA

LEGEND

LOW TIDE L INE (LTL)

HIGH TIDE L INE (HTL) / HTL (CREEK)

? HTL REFERENCE POINTS

PROPERTY BOUNDARY

WARD BOUNDARY

µ

CRZ - II

CRZ MAPPING FOR THE PROPOSED "ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE ONE (AAE - 1) SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM" PROJECT SITE AT VERSOVA BEACH, MUMBAI, INDIA

200m FROM HTL

500m FROM HTL

SOURCE : CLIENT

A R A B I A N S E A

CRZ - IVA

CRZ - III

HIGH TIDE LINELO

W TID

E LIN

E

200m FRO

M HTL

500m FR

OM

HTL

PREPARED BY

VERIFIED BY

APPROVED BY

!?

!?

!?

!?

ENLARGED VIEW OF BMH LOCATION(SCALE 1 : 500)

0 50 100 150 20025M

SCALE 1 : 4000

100m FROM HTL (CREEK)

CRZ - IB

COASTAL REGULATION ZONATION

JP ROAD

PROPOSED CABLE ALIGNMENT

2m

3m

HIGH TIDE LINE

B

A

C

D

PROPOSED BEACH MAN HOLE (BMH) - 3m Long x 2m Wide x 2m Deep


iii

Annexure III – ZSI Report

Report/ ZSI, MBRC 2014 REIA studies for the 500m around Beach Main Hole (BMH) and 50m on either side of cable laid "upto 12 nautical mile" at Versova Beach, Mumbai

15

8. MATERIAL AND METHODS

8.1. Faunal Diversity

8.1.1. Marine Ecosystem

8.1.1.1. Physico-chemical parameters

The surface seawater samples were collected from all the stations of study for the estimation of

following parameters.

Temperature

Surface seawater temperature was measured using standard mercury thermometer.

Salinity

The seawater salinity data was collected at all the places of study by using hand held

Refractometer, Model ERMA, Japan.

pH

The seawater pH was measured soon after collection of water sample using Portable Water

Quality Analyzer, Model SYSTRONICS Water Analyzer 371

Transparency

The transparency of seawater column was measured by using Secchi disc from surface of sea to

assess the depth of light penetration

Turbidity

The seawater turbidity was measured by Turbidity Meter Model EUTECH Instruments

ECTN100IR, Singapore.

Coordinates

The data on the coordinates of the survey area were collected by using Global Positioning

System, Model GARMIN 12 Channel GPS, Model-Oregon 550.


16

8.1.1.2. Biological Parameters

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton samples were collected from the surface seawater at all the stations. Fifty

litres of seawater samples were concentrated to 250ml by filtering through 20µ mesh sized

plankton net. The concentrated samples were immediately preserved by adding 5ml of 40%

formalin and 2ml of Lugol’s iodine. In the laboratory the samples were concentrated in to the

volume of 25ml and preserved in 4% formalin prepared in seawater. These samples were

subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation of phytoplankton. For the quantitative

estimation a Sedgewick Rafter Counting Cell was used. Phytoplankton samples were identified

upto species level under binocular microscope following standard monographs (Husted, 1930;

Pergallo, 1965).

Zooplankton

Zooplankton samples were collected by surface haul using Heron-Tranter Plankton net

having 0.7m dia mouth 3m long with a mesh size of 200µ for 10 minutes at 2 knot speed. The

amount of water passed through was calculated by using flow meter while hauling the net. The

collected plankton samples were preserved in 4% formalin. The wet weight of the zooplankton

was determined after washing with distilled water thereafter filtering through filter paper. The

dry weight was determined by drying the filtered samples in a hot air oven at 70ºC till constant

weight. The results were calculated as mg/100m3 of seawater. Zooplankton volume was

measured by displacement method. In this method samples were filtered and blotted with filter

paper and the mass was transferred to measuring cylinder having known volume of 4% formalin

prepared in seawater. The rise in level of seawater in measuring cylinder was recorded. The

distance between final and initial reading gives volume of zooplankton. The results were

expressed as ml/100m3 of seawater. The numerical density of zooplankton was calculated by

using Sedgewick Rafter Counting Cell. The plankton was identified up to species level under

binocular microscope by referring standard manuals and monographs.

8.1.1.3. Meio-benthos

The intertidal and subtidal meio-benthos in the study area was estimated during low tide

by collecting sediment smples using van Veen grab. In order to study the meio-benthos,


17

sediment samples were collected by plastic core and sieved through 63µ mesh. The results were

expressed for no. of organisms/m2 area.

8.1.2. Terrestrial Ecosystem

8.1.2.1. Insect

Light trap sampling: Light traps have been successfully used by various workers for

sampling insects. It is a useful tool particularly to collect moths and beetles in addition to several

other nocturnal insects. The sampling of insects has been done using an electric power generator

during night hours especially for moths. The trap was operated alternately between plots in

different habitats. The collected insects have been sorted out to species and the number of

individuals for each species was recorded on data sheets for estimating the diversity. As spot

identification was made in most of the cases, code numbers assigned to the various species,

which were later labeled after establishing their correct identity.

Hand net sampling: Direct catching of insects using hand net is often required for

collecting various insects like, butterflies, bees, wasps etc. Using this method collection was

made during day times (sunrise to 11 am).

8.1.2.2. Reptiles and Amphibians

Random surveys were conducted in almost all parts of the project area to document

amphibian and reptile species. The streams and marshy areas were surveyed for amphibians.

Hand picking was employed for the collection of specimens and pit fall traps also been tried.

Dip nets was used for capturing amphibians of the lentic systems. The collected specimens were

identified and morphometry will be recorded and then they will be released and voucher

specimens were preserved in 10 per cent formaldehyde. The specimens were identified using the

field guides (Boulenger 1890, Smith 1933, 1935 and 1943, Daniel 1963 and Tikader et al. 1986).

Quadrate sampling method will be used for estimating abundance and diversity indices.

Plots of 10 × 10m size were laid at randomly in different area. These plots will be thoroughly

searched (Hyner and Berven 1973) for the herpatofauna. Amphibians and reptiles in the plot will

be identified in the field itself as far as possible. Different ecological parameters viz.

temperature, pH, altitude, distance to water sources were also recorded.


18

8.1.2.3. Avifauna

The bird species were estimated by line transect method (Burnham et al., 1980) and two

transects (2 km length) were laid in the project area. Birds were identified based on physical

features with the help of field guides and reference books (Ali and Ripley, 1983; Grimmett et al.,

1998). Diversity Indices like Shannon-Weiner (H') and Simpson () were calculated using the

computer program SPDIVERS.BAS (Ludwig and Reynolds, 1988). Density of birds was

calculated using the programme DISTANCE 5.

8.1.2.4. Mammals

The Block Count & Point Count methods (direct and indirect) were used for census of the

mammals (Burnham et al., 1980). The indirect evidences like pellets and footprints also

recorded following Rodgers (1991).

Direct sightings: To record the presence of mammals in different trek path were surveyed by

foot. Observation was made during morning and evening, and whenever an animal sighted the

species, sex, group size, activity and time have been recorded.

Indirect evidences: As an alternative to the block count method, quadrates of the size of 10 m ×

10 m will be laid for assessing the indirect evidences. From these quadrates, indirect evidences

of animals such as scats, droppings, diggings, feeding signs and scratching marks were

identified. In doubtful cases, scats, hair and other materials have been taken to the laboratory

and compared with the known samples for identification (Rodgers 1991).

8.2. Species diversity

The species diversity of all the groups of organisms was calculated according to the

Shanon-Weiner formula.

H’ = Σ Pi long e Pi

Where Pi = proportion of the ith species in the collection and H’= Diversity of a theoretically

infinite population.


19

Simpson’s diversity index (Simpson, 1949) is one of the truthful indices to calculate the

species diversity of any study site.

The formula for the Simpson index is:

D=1-

Where S is the number of species, N is the total percentage cover or total number of

organisms and n is the percentage cover of a species or number of organisms of a species. In this

form, D ranges from 1 to 0, with 1 representing infinite diversity and 0 representing no diversity.

Evenness of a community was described by the Pielou’s Evenness Index (J’). The

formula of the index is (Pielou, 1966):

J’=H’/H’max

Where H' is the number derived from the Shannon diversity.

9. RESULTS

9.1. MARINE ECOSYSTEM

9.1.1. Physico-chemical parameters

The physico-chemical parameters of the seawater are the prime factors indicating the

quality of the coastal waters which directly influence the primary and secondary productivities,

and tertiary producers in the marine environment. The data on these parameters obtained from

seawater samples collected from all the places of present study. The maximum depth of the

proposed project site is 5.2m at the proximal end within 500m of BMH. The pH of water was

within the range of 7.8 to 8.0 at the area of 500m radius whereas the range was 8.0 to 8.2 up to

the 12 nautical miles area. The salinity was in between 24 to 27ppt within the 500 m of BMH

however, 25 to 30 ppt up to 12 nautical miles area. Transparency of the water column ranges

from 0.21 to 0.35 m within the 500 m of BMH while 3.22 to 4.25m in deeper waters. Sea surface

temperature was maximum 31.2ºC while minimum 31.0 ºC within the 500m of BMH and 32.2

ºC to 33.0 ºC up to the area of 12 nautical miles.


20

The transparency in terms of penetration of light in the seawater column was also

measured at all the places. The quintessence of the results acquired for seawater transparency

indicated that all the stations of study have limited to moderate light penetration. The turbidity of

seawater was also measured by Nudson Turbidity Unit (NTU) and it was found minimum (980)

at 12 nautical miles area and maximum (1250) at Versova Beach. The higher level of turbidity

might be due to sedimentation caused by tidal influence.

9.1.2. Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton is the primary producers of the marine trophic level and plays a vital role

while assessing the health of the marine environment. The results of phytoplankton samples

collected from surface seawater of all the stations along the study area are presented in Tables 1.

A total of 42 species of phytoplankton were recorded from the study areas and adjoining areas of

Mumbai Coast. The total cell count of phytoplankton was encountered as high, 40.40× 102 L-1.

The low phytoplankton productivity might be due to high turbidity of seawater. Each species of

phytoplankton has a particular response to different growth rates. These differences and the

species specific responses to different growth physico-chemical parameters favour different

species at different times and allow many species to co-exist in the same body of water (Lally

and Parsons, 1997). The species diversity of phytoplankton was also calculated during the study

period and the diversity maxima (1.25) at the study areas.

Table 1: Phytoplanktons at the study area

Sl. No.

Order/Family/Genus/Species

Phylum: Ochrophyta Class: Bacillariophyceae Order: Coscinodiscales Family: Coscinodiscacea

Genus: Coscinodiscus Ehrenberg, 1839 1. Coscinodiscus centralis Ehrenberg, 1844

2. Coscinodiscus radiatus Ehrenberg, 1840 3. Coscinodiscus subtilis Ehrenberg, 1841 Order: Thalassiosirales

Family: Thalassiosiraceae Genus: Thalassiosira Cleve, 1873 4. Thalassiosira eccentrica (Ehrenberg) Cleve, 1903 5. Thalassiosira anguste-lineata (A.Schmidt) G.Fryxell & Hasle, 1977


21

Order: Thalassiophysales Family: Catenulaceae

Genus: Amphora Ehrenberg ex Kützing, 1844 6. Amphora marina W.Smith, 1857 7. Amphora ovalis (Kützing) Kützing, 1844 Order: Lithodesmiales

Family: Lithodesmiaceae Genus: Ditylum J.W.Bailey, 1861 8. Ditylum brightwellii (T.West) Grunow, 1885 Genus: Lithodesmium Ehrenberg, 1839 9. Lithodesmium undulatum Ehrenberg, 1839 Order: Chaetocerotanae

Family: Chaetocerotaceae Genus: Chaetoceros Ehrenberg, 1844 10. Chaetoceros affinis Lauder, 1864 11. Chaetoceros coarctatus Lauder, 1864 12. Chaetoceros debilis Cleve, 1894 13. Chaetoceros peruvianus Brightwell, 1856 14. Chaetoceros diversus Cleve, 1873 15. Chaetoceros brevis F.Schütt, 1895 Genus: Bacteriastrum Shadbolt, 1854 16. Bacteriastrum comosum J.Pavillard Order: Triceratiales

Family: Triceratiaceae Genus: Odontella C.Agardh, 1832 17. Odontella aurita var. obtusa (Kützing) Denys, 1982 18. Odontella sinensis (Greville) Grunow, 1884 19. Odontella mobiliensis (J.W.Bailey) Grunow, 1884 20. Odontella regia (Schultze) Simonsen, 1974 Genus: Triceratium Ehrenberg, 1839 21. Triceratium favus Ehrenberg, 1839 Order: Rhizosoleniales

Family: Rhizosoleniaceae Genus: Rhizosolenia Brightwell, 1858 22. Rhizosolenia imbricata Brightwell, 1858 Genus: Proboscia Sundström, 1986 23. Proboscia alata (Brightwell) Sundström, 1986 Genus: Dactyliosolen Castracane, 1886 24. Dactyliosolen antarcticus Castracane, 1886 Order: Biddulphiales

Family : Biddulphiaceae Genus: Isthmia C.Agardh, 1832 25. Isthmia nervosa Kützing, 1844 26. Isthmia enervis Ehrenberg, 1838 Order : Naviculales

Family : Pleurosigmataceae


22

Genus: Pleurosigma W.Smith, 1852 27. Pleurosigma angulatum (Queckett) W.Smith, 1852 Family: Naviculaceae Genus: Navicula Bory de Saint-Vincent, 182 28. Navicula vanhoeffenii Gran, 1897 29. Navicula inflexa (Gregory) Ralfs, 1861 30. Navicula oblonga (Kützing) Kützing, 1844 31. Navicula gastrum (Ehrenberg) Kützing, 1844 Family: Amphipleuraceae Genus: Halamphora (Cleve) Levkov, 2009 32. Halamphora turgida (Gregory) Levkov, 2009 Order: Bacillariales

Family: Bacillariaceae Genus: Pseudo-nitzschia H.Peragallo, 1900 33. Pseudo-nitzschia pungens (Grunow ex Cleve) G.R.Hasle, 1993 Genus: Fragilariopsis Hustedt, 1913 34. Fragilariopsis oceanica (Cleve) Hasle, 1965 Genus : Nitzschia Hassall, 1845 35. Nitzschia obtusa W.Smith, 1853 36. Nitzschia longissima (Brébisson) Ralfs, 1861 Genus: Bacillaria J.F.Gmelin, 1791 37. Bacillaria paxillifera (O.F.Müller) T.Marsson, 1901 Order: Fragilariales

Family: Fragilariaceae Genus: Ceratoneis Ehrenberg, 1839 38. Ceratoneis closterium Ehrenberg, 1839 DINOFLAGELLATES

Class : Dinophyceae Order : Gonyaulacales Family: Ceratiaceae

Genus: Neoceratium F.Gómez, D.Moreira & P.López-Garcia, 2010 39. Neoceratium extensum (Gourret) F.Gomez, D.Moreira & P.Lopez-Garcia,

2010 40. Neoceratium macroceros (Ehrenberg) F.Gomez, D.Moreira & P.Lopez-Garcia,

2010 41. Neoceratium trichoceros (Ehrenberg) F.Gomez, D.Moreira & P.Lopez-Garcia,

2010 42. Neoceratium lineatum (Ehrenberg) F.Gomez, D.Moreira & P.Lopez-Garcia,

2010 Number of genera : 20 Number of families: 14 Species diversity : 1.25


23

9.1.3. Zooplankton

Mumbai coast has a great diversity of zooplanktons. Copepods have the great percentage

among all other groups of zooplankton. About Fifty seven copepods are reported from Mumbai

and its adjoining areas (Stephen, 2013). These copepods have an important influence in

mangrove and coastal ecology. Since the pollution in Versova Mangrove area and low oxygen

concentration copepods are found in lower number but during monsoon its number increased and

17 species are found from this area. Thirty four species of Foraminiferans from Savitry estuary

(Panchkhande et al., 2014) are found but only 5 species are found from off Mahim. Fossils of 16

ostracods (Cripps, 2005) from Mumbai were also recorded previously. Among the zooplankton

community, chaetognaths, medusae, ctenophore, siphonophores and some decapod larvae are

found but their number is very less in Versova coast (Gajbhiye and Abidi, 1993). Thirty seven

benthic polychaets are reported from Ratnagiri Bay but only 24 species are found from off

Mahim. Nineteen species of Chaetognatha are reported by NIO during 1970-1971. Twelve

ascidian species are reported from the Mumbai harbour (Swami, 2002; Swami and

Udhayakumar, 2010). These ascidians are mainly fouling species. A total of 388 ascidian species

were reported from Indian waters (Technical Report, 2003). As bio-fouling components, 6

species of coelenterata, 23 polychaets, 11 species of bryozoans, 4 species of cerripeds, 5 species

of molluscs and 2 species of porifera are found from the Mumbai harbour in addition to ascidians

(Swami and Udhayakumar, 2010). Nineteen species of polychaeta and 13 species of molluscs

were recorder by Mathew and Govindan (1995) in the near shore coastal system of Mumbai

(Table 2 and 3).

Table 2: Density and volume of meio-benthos in study areas

Sl. No.

Area Numeric density

(ind./100m3)

Volume (ml./100m

3)

Species diversity (H’)

1. Versova Beach and adjoining area 1200-3400 0.3-95 1.46


24

Table 3: Density of meio-benthos in study areas

Sl. No. Group Numeric density (ind./100m3)

1. Ostrocaoda 1600

2. Oligochaeta 1200

3. Polychaeta 1800

4. Copepoda 4000

5. Tunicata 2100

6. Coelenterata 500

8. Foraminifera 3500

9. Nematoda 2750

10. Isopoda 2050

11. Amphipoda 2400

12. Nemertina 1850

13. Gastrotricha 1500

9.1.4. Copepods

A total of 57 species of copepods belong to 45 genera were observed from the project site

and adjoining areas of Versova Beach, Mumbai. The species diversity of the copepods was 1.11

during the study period (Table 4).

Table 4: Copepods in study areas

Sl. No.

Scientific Name with classification

Class Maxillopoda Subclass Copepoda Order Calanoida Family Eucalanidae

Genus Eucalanus 1. Eucalanus sp. Genus Euchaeta 2. Euchaeta sp.


25

Genus Centopages 3. Centopages sp. Genus Lucicutia 4. Lucicutia sp. Genus Pontella 5. Pontella sp. Genus Pleuromamma 6. Pleuromamma sp. Genus Canthocalanus 7. Canthocalanus sp. Genus Cosmocalanus 8. Cosmocalanus sp. Genus Euterpina 9. Euterpina acutifrons Genus Nannocalanus 10. Nannocalanus minor Genus Tortanus 11. Tortanus sp. Genus Temora 12. Temora discaudata Genus Mesochra 13. Mesochra sp. Genus Paracalanus 14. Paracalanus crassirostris 15. Paracalanus arabiensis 16. Paracalanus sp. Genus Acartiella 17. Acartiella sewelli Genus Bestiolina 18. Bestiolina similis Genus Mesochara 19. Mesochara sp. Genus Paracalanus 20. Paracalanus tollingerae Genus Callanoid 21. Callanoid sp. Genus Oithona 22. Oithona brevecornis 23. Oithona similis 24. Oithona sp. Genus Pseudodiaptomus 25. Pseudodiaptomus ardjuna Genus Acartia 26. Acartia plumosa 27. Acartia keralensis 28. Acartia tropica


26

29. Acartia spinicauda 30. Acartia southwelli Genus Harpacticoids 31. Harpacticoids sp. Genus Kelleri 32. Kelleri sp. Genus 33. Cyclopoid sp. Genus Cyclopoid 34. Canthocalanus pauper Genus Euterpiina 35. Euterpiina acutifrons Genus Pseudodiastomus 36. Pseudodiaptomus binghami

malayalus 37. Pseudodiastomus aurivilli 38. Pseudodiaptomus annadalei 39. Pseudodiaptomus bengeri Genus Eucalanus 40. Eucalanus monachus 41. Eucalanus subcrassus Genus Centropages 42. Centropages furcatus 43. Centropages dorsispinatus Genus Labidocera 44. Labidocera pectinata Genus Euchaeta Euchaeta wolendeni 45. Genus Undinula Undinula vulgaris Genus Temora 46. Temora stylifera Genus Temora 47. Temora discaudata Genus Labidocera 48. Labidocera acutiforns Genus Cosmocalanus 49. Cosmocalanus darwini Genus Euchaeta 50. Euchaeta marina Genus Noctiluca 51. Noctiluca milaris Genus Trichodermium 52. Trichodermium sp. Genus Coscinodiscus 53. Coscinodiscus sp.


27

Genus Fragillaria 54. Fragillaria oceanica Genus Bregmoceros 55. Bregmoceros meclenllandi

Genus Harpodon 56. Harpodon nehereus Genus Trichodesmium 57. Trichodesmium sp.

Species diversity : 1.11

9.1.5. Gastrotricha

A total of 7 species of gastrotricha were observed from the study areas and adjoin

Mumbai coast during the study period. The species diversity of the gastrotricha is 0.42 (Table 5).

Table 5: Gastrotricha of Mumbai coast

Sl. No.


Phylum: Gastrotricha Order: Chaetonotida Family: Chaetonotidae

Genus: Polymerurus Remane, 1927 1. Polymerurus nodicaudus (Voigt, 1901) Genus: Chaetonotus Ehrenberg, 1830 2. Chaetonotus laterospinosus Visvesvara, 1965 3. Chaetonotus trianguliformis Visvesvara, 1965 4. Chaetonotus monobarbatus Visvesvara, 1965 Sub Genus: Chaetonotus (Zonochaeta) Remane, 1927 5. Chaetonotus sextospinosus Visvesvara, 1965 Sub Genus: Chaetonotus (Brevipedichaeta) Schwank, 1990 6. Chaetonotus caudalspinosus Visvesvara, 1965 Sub Genus: Chaetonotus (Chaetonotus) Erhenberg, 1838 7. Chaetonotus (Chaetonotus) elegans Konsuloff, 1921 Species diversity: 0.42

9.1.6. Amphipoda

A total of 18 species of amphipods under 14 genera and 10 families were reported from

the coastal areas of Maharastra (Table 6). Species diversity of the observed porifera was 1.36.

Table 6: Amphipoda of Mumbai

Sl. No.


Phylum: Arthropoda


28

Class: Malacostraca Order: Amphipoda Family: Caprellidae

Genus: Paracaprella Mayer, 1890 1. Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890 Family: Ampithoidae Genus: Paragrubia Chevreux, 1901 2. Paragrubia vorax Chevreux, 1901 Family: Corophiidae Tribe: Corophiini Leach, 1814 3. Corophium Latreille, 1806 4 Corophium triaenonyx Family: Talitridae Genus: Talorchestia Dana, 1852 5. Talorchestia martensii (Weber, 1892) Family: Uristidae Genus: Ichnopus Costa, 1853 6. Ichnopus spinicornis Boeck, 1861 Family: Lysianassidae Genus: Lysianassa Milne-Edwards, 1830 7. Lysianassa ceratina (Walker, 1889) Family: Ampeliscidae Genus: Ampelisca Krøyer, 1842 8. Ampelisca typica (Bate, 1856) Family: Gammaridae Genus: Gammarus Fabricius, 1775 9. Gammarus locusta (Linnaeus, 1758) 10. Gammarus salinus Spooner, 1947 Family: Ampithoidae Genus: Ampithoe Leach, 1814 11. Ampithoe rubricata (Montagu, 1818) Family: Caprellidae Genus: Hemiaegina Mayer, 1890 12. Hemiaegina minuta Mayer, 1890 Genus: Heterocaprella Arimoto, 1976 13. Heterocaprella krishnaensis Swarupa & Radhakrishna, 1983 Genus: Metaprotella Mayer, 1890 14. Metaprotella excentrica Mayer, 1890 15. Metaprotella problematica Mayer, 1890 Genus: Monoliropus Mayer, 1903 16. Monoliropus falcimanus Mayer, 1904 Genus: Paracaprella Mayer, 1890 17. Paracaprella alata Mayer, 1903 Genus: Paradeutella Mayer, 1890 18. Paradeutella bidentata Mayer, 1890


29

Number of genera :14 Number of families :10 Species diversity : 0.78

9.1.7. Foraminifera

A total of 34 species foraminiferans under 25 genera and 20 families were reported from

the coastal areas of Maharashtra (Table 7). Species diversity of the observed porifera was 0.39.

Table 7: Foraminiferans of Maharashtra Coast

Sl. No. Scientific Name with Classification Phylum FORAMINIFERA Class GLOBOTHALAMEA Order LITUILIDA Family TROCHAMMINIDAE Genus Trochammina

1. Trochammina inflata (Montagu, 1808) Family PROLIXOPLECTIDAE Genus Eggerelloides

2. Eggerelloides sp. Family SPIROPLECTAMMINIDAE Genus Spiroplectammina

3. Spiroplectammina sp. Family AMMOMARGINULININAE Genus Ammobaculites

4. Ammobaculites sp. A 5. Ammobaculites sp. B

Order ROTALIIDA Family ROTALIIDAE Genus Ammonia

6. Ammonia tepida (Cushman, 1926) Genus Astroammonia

7. Astroammonia sp. Genus Pararotalia

8. Pararotalia sp. Family ELPHIDIIDAE Genus Elphidium

9. Elphidium advenum (Cushman, 1922) 10. Elphidium excavatum (Terquem, 1875) 11. Elphidium sp.

Family GLOBIGERINIDAE Genus Globigerina

12. Globigerina sp.


30

Family BOLIVINIDAE Genus Bolivinina

13. Bolivinina striatula Cushman, 1922 14. Bolivinina sp.

Family VIRGULINELLIDAE Genus Virgulinella

15. Virgulinella pertusa (Reuss, 1861) Family BAGGINIDAE Genus Cancris

16. Cancris auriculus (Fichtel and Moll, 1798) Family STAINFORTHIIDAE Genus Cassidelina

17. Cassidelina sp. Family NONIONIDAE Genus Nonionoides

18. Nonionoides sp. Genus Nonionella

19. Nonionella sp. Family BULIMINIDAE Genus Buliminia

20. Buliminia marginata d’Orbigny,1826 Family ROSALINIDAE Genus Rosalina

21. Rosalina globularis d’Orbigny,1826 22. Rosalina bradyi (Cushman, 1915)

Order LOFTUSIIDA Family SPIROCYCLINIDAE Genus Reusselia

23. Reusselia sp. Class TUBOTHALAMEA Order SPRILLINIDA Family AMMODISCIDAE Genus Ammodiscus

24. Ammodiscus sp. Order MILIOLIDA Family MILIAMMINIDAE Genus Milliammina

25. Milliammina fusca (Brady, 1870) Family HAUERINIDAE Genus Ouinqueloculina

26. Ouinqueloculina poeyana d’Orbigny, 1839 27. Ouinqueloculina sp. A 28. Ouinqueloculina sp. B

Class FORAMINIFERA INCERTAE SEDIS


31

Order LAGENIDA Family LAGENIDAE Genus Hyalinonetrion

29. Hyalinonetrion gracilis (Costa, 1856) Genus Lagena

30. Lagena semistriata 31. Lagena substriata 32. Lagena sp.

Family ELLIPSOLAGENIDAE Genus Favulina

33. Favulina hexagona (Williamson, 1848) Genus Fissurina

34. Fissurina nudiformis McCulloch, 1977 Total no. of genera: 25 Total no. of families: 20 Species diversity: 0.39

9.1.8. Cirripeds

Crripeds are belongs to arthropod phylum and these crustaceans are commonly known as barnacles. Generally act as bio-fouling species and often found in jetty areas, on the buoys, hulls of ships, dead clams etc. This immobile group is important components of the intertidal and estuarine faunal communities. Larval stage of the group is found as zooplankton in intertidal and estuarine environment. Barnacles are often suspension feeder and gather food with the help of their feathery appendages (Swami and Udhayakumar, 2010). A total of 5 species of cirripeds under 4 genera and 2 familes were observed from the study areas of Mumbai Caost. The species diversity was 0.15 (Table 8).

Table 8: Cirripeds of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Scientific Name with classification Phylum ARTHROPODA Class CRUSTACEA Order CIRRIPEDIA

Family BALANIDAE Genus Balanus

1. Balanus reticulatus Utinomi, 1967 2. Balanus variegatus Darwin, 1854 Genus Megabalanus

3. Megabalanus tintinnabulum (Linnaeus, 1758) Family ARCHAEOBALANINAE Genus Chirona

4. Chirona amaryllis (Darwin, 1854) Family LEPADIDAE


32

Genus Lepas 5. Lepas sp. Total no. of genera: 04 Total no. of families : 02 Species diversity : 0.15

9.1.9. Coelenterata

A total of 6 species of coelenterate under 6 genera and 4 families were observed from the

study areas of Mumbai Coast. The species diversity was 0.19 (Table 9) during study period.

Table 9: Coelenterata of Study areas

Sl. No. Scientific Name with classification Class HYDROZOA

Oder LEPTOTHECATA Family CAMPANULARIIDAE

Genus Companularia

1. Companularia sp. Genus Obelia

2. Obelia sp. Genus Clytia

3. Clytia sp. Family SERTULARIIDAE Genus Sertularia

4. Sertularia sp. Family PLUMULARIIDAE Genus Plumularia

5. Plumularia sp. Order ANTHOATHECATA

Family TUBULARIIDAE Genus Tubularia

6. Tubularia sp. Total no. of genera : 06

Total no. of families: 04 Species diversity : 0.19

9.1.10. Sea Anemone

A total of 18 species of sea anemones under 14 genera and 7 families were observed from

the study areas of Mumbai Coast. The species diversity was 0.43 (Table 10) during study period.


33

Table 10: Sea anemones of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Order/Family/Genus/Species Class: Anthozoa

Order: Actiniaria Family: Acontiophoriidae,Carlgren 1938

Genus: Acontiophorum Carlgren, 1938 1. Acontiophorum bombayensis Parulekar, 1968 Family: Actiniidae Rafinesque, 1815 Genus: Actinogeton Carlgren, 1938 2. Gyractis sesere (Haddon & Shackleton, 1893) Genus: Anemonia Risso, 1826 3. Anemonia indica Parulekar, 1968 Genus: Anthopleura Duchassaing de Fonbressin and

Michelotti, 1860 4. Anthopleura asiatica Uchida and Muramatsu, 1958 5. Anthopleura midori Uchida and Muramatsu, 1958 6. Anthopleura pacifica Uchida and Muramatsu, 1958 7. Anthopleura panikkarii Parulekar, 1969 Genus: Bunodosoma Verrill, 1899 8. Bunodosoma granulifera Leseur, 1917 Genus: Cribrinopsis Carlgren, 1921 9. Cribrinopsis robertii Parulekar, 1971 10. Cribrinopsis sp. Genus: Paracondylactis Carlgren, 1928 11. Paracondylactis sinensis Carlgren, 1934 Family: Aiptasiidae Carlgren, 1924 Genus: Aiptasia Gosse, 1858 12. Aiptasia sp.

Family: Aiptasiomorphidae (Stephenson, 1920) Genus: Haliplanella Hand, 1956 13. Haliplanella lineata (Verrill, 1870) Family: Edwardsiidae Andres, 1880 Genus: Edwardsia Quatrefages, 1842 14. Edwardsia tinctrix Annandale, 1915 Family: Haliactiidae Carlgren, 1949 Genus: Pelocoetes Annandale, 1915 15. Pelocoetes exul (Annandlae, 1915) Genus: Phytocoetes Annandale, 1915 16. Phytocoetes gangeticus Annandale, 1915 Genus: Stephensonactis Panikkar, 1936 17. Stephensonactis ornata Panikkar, 1936 Family: Haloclavidae Verrill, 1899 Genus: Metapeachia Carlgren, 1943 18. Metapeachia tropica Panikkar, 1938


34

Number of genera : 14 Number of families :07 Species diversity : 0.43

9.1.11. Hydrozoa

A total of 21 species of hydrozoans under 15 genera and 10 families were observed from

the study areas of Mumbai Coast. The species diversity was 0.87(Table 11) during study period.

Table 11: Hydrozoa of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Order/Family/Genus/Species Class: Hydrozoa

Order: Leptothecata Family: Aequoreidae

Genus: Aequorea Péron & Lesueur, 1810 1 Aequorea pensilis (Haeckel, 1879) Family: Sertulariidae Genus: Dynamena Lamouroux, 1812 2. Dynamena quadridentata (Ellis & Solander, 1786) 3. Dynamena crisioides Lamouroux, 1824 4. Dynamena sp. 5 Dynamena pumila (Linnaeus, 1758) Genus:Idiellana Cotton & Godfrey, 1942 6. Idiellana pristis (Lamouroux, 1816) Genus: Sertularia Linnaeus, 1758 7. Sertularia marginata (Kirchenpauer, 1864) 8. Sertularia turbinata (Lamouroux, 1816) Genus:Diphasia Agassiz, 1862 9. Diphasia digitalis (Busk, 1852) Family:Aglaopheniidae Genus:Macrorhynchia Kirchenpauer, 1872 10. Macrorhynchia philippina Kirchenpauer, 1872 Genus: Aglaophenia Lamouroux, 1812 11. Aglaophenia pluma (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Halopterididae Genus:Halopteris Allman, 1877 12. Halopteris diaphana (Heller, 1868) Family: Campanulariidae Genus:Obelia Péron & Lesueur, 1810 13. Obelia geniculata (Linnaeus, 1758) 14. Obelia dichotoma (Linnaeus, 1758) 15. Obelia bidentata Clarke, 1875 Genus: Clytia Lamouroux, 1812 16. Clytia gracilis (Sars, 1850) Family: Campanulinidae Genus: Cuspidella Hincks, 1868


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17. Cuspidella humilis (Alder, 1862) Order: Anthoathecata

Family: Porpitidae Genus: Porpita Lamarck, 1801 18. Porpita porpita (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Eudendriidae Genus: Eudendrium Ehrenberg, 1834 19. Eudendrium carneum Clarke, 1882 Family: Tubulariidae Genus: Ectopleura L. Agassiz, 1862 20. Ectopleura viridis (Pictet, 1893)

Family: Pennariidae Genus: Pennaria Goldfuss, 1820 21. Pennaria disticha Goldfuss, 1820 Number of genera : 15 Number of families : 10 Species diversity : 0.87

9.1.12. Scyphozoa

A total of 9 species of Scyphozoa under 7 genera and 5 families were observed from the


Table 12: Hydrozoa of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Order/Family/Genus/Species Class: Scyphozoa

Order: Semaeostomeae Family: Ulmaridae

Genus: Aurelia Lamarck, 1816 1. Aurelia aurita Linnaeus 1758 2. Aurelia solida Browne, 1905 Order: Rhizostomeae

Family: Cepheidae Genus: Marivagia 3. Marivagia stellata Family: Mastigiidae Genus: Mastigias Agassiz, 1862 Mastigias papua (Lesson, 1930) Family: Catostylidae Genus: Acromitus Light, 1914 4. Acromitus flagellatus (Haeckel) Family: Catostylidae Genus: Crambionella Stiasny, 1921 5. Crambionella stuhlmanni (Chun, 1896)


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6. Crambionella orsini (Vanho¨ffen, 1888) Genus: Phyllorhiza 7. Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 Order: Semaeostomeae

Family: Pelagiidae Genus: Pelagia Péron & Lesueur, 1810 8. Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775) Genus: Chrysaora Péron & Lesueur, 1810 9. Chrysaora quinquecirrha (Desor) Number of genera : 07 Number of families : 05 Specis diversity : 0.31

9.1.13. Polychaeta

The group is highly diversified with 13000 species worldwide. These animals are found

from intertidal zone to reef environment. About 450 species are reported from India (Banse,

1960). Benthic polychaetes act as good indicator of anthropogenic influence, its low abundance

indicate the negative effect of anthropogenic activity thus its abundance is low in the harbour

area (Sivadas et al., 2010). Among these 64 polychaetes 37 are benthic reported from Ratnagiri

Bay (Sukumaran et al., 2011) and also concluded that the diversity and distribution pattern of

polychaetes were governerd by variation in sediment texture rather anthropogenic activity.

Twenty four are reported from off Mahim eleven species were reported from Mumbai harbour as

bio-fouling species (Swami and Udhayakumar, 2010). These animals’ lives in sand or mud

burrows however, some commensal, free swimming and parasitic polychaetes are also found. It

has a significant ecological role for its predatory nature (Yokoyama and Sukumaran, 2012;

Sukumaran et al., 2011; Swami and Udhayakumar, 2010). A total of 64 species of polychaetes

under 36 genera and 27 families were observed from the study areas of Mumbai Coast. The

species diversity was 1.68 (Table 13) during study period.

Table 13: Polychaetes of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Scientific Name with classification Class POLYCHAETA Family CAPOTELLIDAE Genus Parteteromastus

1. Parteteromastus tenuis Monro, 1937 Family COSSURIDAE Genus Cossura


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2. Cossura coasta Kitamori, 1960 Family CAPITELLIDAE Genus Mediomastus

3. Mediomastus sp. Family ORBINIIDAE Genus Scoloplos

4. Scoloplos armiger (Muller, 1776) Order SABELLIDA Family SERPULIDAE Genus Hydroides

5. Hydroidea elegans (Treadwell, 1929) 6. Hydroides operculatus (Haswell, 1883)

Genus Apomatus 7. Apomatus sp.

Genus Pomatoleios 8. Pomatoleios sp.

Genus Ficopomatus 9. Ficopomatus uschakovi (Pillai, 1960)

Family CHAETOPTERIDAE Genus Chaetopterus

10. Chaetopterus variopedatus (Renier, 1804) Family SABELLIDAE Genus Dasycone

11. Dasycone cingulate Grube, 1870 Genus Sabellastrate

12. Sabellastrate longa (Kinberg, 1866) Genus Pseudobranchiomma

13. Pseudobranchiomma orientalis (McIntosh, 1885) Genus Branchiomma

14. Branchiomma cingulatum (Grube, 1870) Genus Jasmineria

15. Jasmineria sp. Genus Demonax

16. Demonax leucaspis Kinberg, 1867 Family FABRICIIDAE Genus Fabricia

17. Fabricia bansei Day, 1961 Order TEREBELLIDA Family AMPHARETIDAE Genus Sabellides

18. Sabellides sp. Family CIRRATULIDAE Genus Cirriformia

19. Cirriformia tentaculata (Montagu, 1808)


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20. Cirratulus cirratus O.F. Miller, Family AMPHARETIDAE Genus Isolda

21. Isolda pulchella Muller in Grube, 1858 Family TRICHOBRANCHIDAE Genus Terebellides

22. Terebellides stroemii Sars, 1835 Order SPIONIDA Family SPIONIDAE Genus Paraprionospio

23. Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901) 24. Paraprionospio cordifolia Yokoyama, 2007 25. Paraprionospio patiens Yokoyama, 2007 26. Paraprionospio cristata Zhou, Yokoyama and Li, 2008 27. Paraprionospio cirratobranchia 28. Paraprionospiocirrifera Wiren,

Family POECILOCHAETIDAE Genus Poecilochaetus

29. Poecilochaetus serpens Allen, 1904 Order PHYLLODOCIDA Family PILARGINAE Genus Ancistrosyllis

30. Ancistrosyllis parva Day, 1963 31. Ancistrosyllis constricta Southern, 32. Syllis gracilis Grube,

Order SPIONIDA Family SPIONIDAE Genus Boccardia

33. Boccardia polybranchia (Haswell, 1885) Family MAGELONIDAE Genus Magelona

34. Magelona cincta Ehlers, 1908 Order EUNICIDA Family ONUPHIDAE Genus Dipopatra

35. Dipopatra cuprea cuprea (Bosc, 1802) 36. Eunice antennata savigny,

Order PHYLLODOCIDA Family PHYLLODOCIDAE Genus Eteone

37. Eteone ornata Grube, 1878 Family GONIADIDAE Genus Glycinde

38. Glycinde multidens Mullerin Grube, 1858


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Family GLYCERIDAE Genus Glycera

39. Glycera longipinnis Grube, 1878 40. Glycera alba Rothke, 41. Glycera rouxi Aud and M.Ed.,

Family GONIADIDAE Genus Goniadella

42. Goniadella gracilis (Verrill, 1873) Family NEREIDIDAE Genus Leptonereis

43. Leptonereis sp. Family NEPHTYIDAE Genus Nephtys

44. Nephtys dibranchis Grube, 1877 45. Nephtys lyrochaeta Fauvel, 1902

Family SIGALIONIDAE Genus Sthenelais

46. Sthenelais boa (Johnston, 1833) Order EUNICIDA Family LUMBRINERIDAE Genus Lumbrineris

47. Lumbrineris brevicirra (Schmarda, 1861) 48. Lumbriconereies latreilli Aud and M.Ed., 49. Lumbriconereies psudobi taris Fauvel,

Genus Ninoe 50. Ninoe sp 51. Ninoe lagosiana Augener, 1918

Family ONUPHIDAE Genus Onuphis

52. Onuphis geophiliformis (Moore, 1903) 53. Paraheteromastus tenuis Monro, 54. Malidinella sp. 55. Protodor illea biarticulata Day, 56. Nereis sp. 57. Neanthes sp. 58. Perenereis cultrifera Grube, 59. Nephthys inermis Ehters, 60. Nephthys polybranchia Southern, 61. Diopatra neapolitana Dellechiage, 62. Diopatra cuprea cuprea Bose, 63. Polydora ciliate Johnston, 64. Sternaspis scutata

Number of genera : 36 Number of families : 27


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Specis diversity : 1.68

9.1.14. Tunicates

Tunicates consist of three groups Ascidians, Larvaceans and Thalliaceans. Larvaceans

and Thaliaceans are considered as zooplanktontons for their small body size. No such records of

these two groups are found in Mumbai coast but there is a possibility to found these groups

under the zooplankton data. Diversity of these two groups is less than the ascidians. Ascidians

are exclusively sessile marine animals considered as bio-fouling species as they are found in

jetty, ship hulls, buoys, submerged ropes etc. Twelve ascidians are reported (Swami, 2002;

Swami and Udhayakumar, 2010) from Mumbai harbour. Didemnid and some styelid ascidians

are found in more number in intertidal area here more number of styelid ascidians were reported

so it can be assume that the stylid ascidin diversity is more than the diemnid ascidians in this

area. A total of 12 species of tunicates under 6 genera and 4 families were observed from the


Table 14: Tunicates of Mumbai Coast

Sl. No. Scientific Name with classification Class ASCIDIACEA Order PLEUROGONA Suborder STOLIDOBRANCHIA Family STYELIDAE Genus Symplegma

1. Symplegma reptans (Oka, 1927) 2. Symplegma brakenbielmi (Michaelsen, 1904) 3. Symplegma viride Herdman, 1886

Genus Botrylloides 4. Botrylloides magnicoecum (Hartmeyer, 1912) 5. Botrylloides chevalense Herdman, 1906

Genus Styela 6. Styela canopus (Savigny, 1816) 7. Styela bicolor (Sluiter, 1887)

Order ENTEROGONA Suborder PHLEBOBRANCHIA Family ASCIDIIDAE Genus Ascidia

8. Ascidia sydneiensis Stimpson, 1855 9. Ascidia liberate Sluiter, 1887


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Family PEROPHORIDAE Genus Ecteinascidia

10. Ecteinascidia sp. 1 11. Ecteinascidia sp. 2

Suborder APLOUSOBRANCHIA Family DIDEMNIDAE Genus Diplosoma

12. Diplosoma macdonaldi Number of genera : 06 Number of families : 04 Specis diversity : 0.88

9.1.15. Marine molluscs

A total of 82 species of marine molluscs under 44 genera and 27 families were observed

from the study areas of Mumbai Coast. The species diversity was 02.02 (Table 15) during study

period.

Table 15: Marine molluscs of Mumbai coast

Sl. No. Phylum MOLLUSCA

Class GASTROPODA Order PATELLOGASTROPODA 1. Family PATELLIDAE

Genus Cellana Cellana radiata (Born, 1778) Order VETIGASTROPODA

Family TROCHIDAE Genus Trochus

2. Trochus radiatus (Gmelin, 1791) Genus Calliostoma

3. Calliostoma speciosa (A. Adams, 1855 ) Genus Clanculus

4. Clanculus ceylonicus Nevill, 1869 5. Clanculus depictus A. Adams, 1854

Genus Euchelus 6. Euchelus atratus (Gmelin, 1791) 7. Euchelus asper (Gmelin, 1791) 8. Euchelus indicus A. Adams, 1855

Genus Umbonium 9. Umbonium vestarium (Linnaeus, 1758) Family TURBINIDAE


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Genus Turbo 10. Turbo brunneus (Roeding, 1798)

Genus Astralium 11. Astralium semicostatum (Kiener, 1850) 12. Order NERITOPSINA Family NERITIDAE Genus Nerita 13. Nerita polita polita Linnaeus, 1758 14. Nerita albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758) 15. Nerita oryzarum (Recluz, 1841) 16. Nerita squamulata Le Guillou, 1841 17. Nerita planospira Anton, 1838 18. Nerita grayana (Recluz, 1844 ) 19. Nerita chameleon (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Dostia 20. Dostia violacea Gmelin, 1791

Order LITTORINIMORPHA Family LITTORINIDAE Genus Littorina 21. Littorina scabra (Linnaeus, 1758) 22. Littorina intermedia Philippi, 1846

Genus Littoraria 23. Littoraria undulata (Gray, 1839 ) 24. Littoraria melanostoma (Gray, 1839) 25. Nodilittorina vidua (Gould, 1859) Family PLANAXIDAE Genus Planaxis 26. Planaxis sulcatus (Born, 1778 ) 27. Planaxis nicobarica Dunker & Zelebor, 1866 28. Planaxis niger Quoy & Gaimard, 1833 Family CERITHIIDAE Genus Clypeomorous 29. Clypeomorous bitasciata (Sowerby,1855 ) 30. Genus Cerithium 31. Cerithium traillii (Sowerby, 1855) 32. Cerithium gennesi (Fischer and Vignal, 1901 ) 33. Cerithium bifaciata (Sowerby, ) 34. Cerithium morus Lamarck, 1822 35. Cerithium echinatum Lamarck, 1822

Family POTAMIDIDAE


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Genus Telescopium 36. Telescopium telescopium (Linnaeus, 1758)

Family TURRITELLIDAE Genus Turritella

37. Turritella duplicata (Linnaeus, 1758) Family CYPRAEIDAE Genus Mauritia 38. Mauritia arabica Linnaeus, 1758

Genus Erronea 39. Erronea pallida (Gray, 1824) Family RANELLIDAE Genus Gyranium 40. Gyranium natator (Roeding, 1798 ) Family BURSIDAE Genus Bursa 41. Bursa granularis Roding, 1798 42. Bursa tuberculata (Broderip, 1833) Family NATICIDAE Genus Natica 43. Natica picta Recluz, 1844

Order NEOGASTROPODA Family MURICIDAE Genus Drupa 44. Drupa contracta Reeve, 1814 45. Drupa konkanensis Melvill, 1893 46. Drupa tuberculata (Blainville, 1832)

Genus Thais 47. Thais blanfordi (Melvill, 1893) 48. Thais bufo (Lamarck, 1822) 49. Thais lacera (Born, 1778) 50. Thais tissoti (Petit, 1852 ) 51. Thais rudolphi Lamarck, 1822 52. Thais carinifera (Lamarck, 1822) 53. Thais hippocastanum (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Morula 54. Morula nodicostata (Pease, 1868) 55. Morula granulata (Duclos, 1832 ) 56. Morula marginatra (Blanville, 1832)

Genus Chicoreus 57. Chicoreus (Triplex) brunneus (Link, 1807)


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Family BUCCINIDAE Genus Engina 58. Engina zea (Melvill, 1893)

Genus Babylonia 59. Babylonia spirata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Family COLUMBELLIDAE Genus Zafra

60. Zafra atrata (Gould, 1860) Family NASSARIIDAE Genus Nassarius 61. Nassarius stulatus (Gmelin, 1791) 62. Nassarius pullus (Linnaeus, 1758) 63. Nassarius jacsonianus (Quoy & Gaimard, ) 64. Nassarius vittatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Family MITRIDAE Genus Vexillum 65. Vexillum ebenus Lamarck, 1811 Family CONIDAE Genus Conus 66. Conus figulinus Linnaeus, 1758 67. Conus erythraeensis Reeve, 1843 Family ELLOBIIDAE Genus Cassidula 68. Cassidula nucleus (Gmelin, 1791) Order SYSTELLOMMATOPHORA Family ONCHIDIIDAE Genus Onchidium 69. Onchidium tenerum (Stoliczka 1869, ) 70. Onchidium tigrinum (Stoliczka, 1869) Class BIVALVIA Order ARCOIDA Family ARCIDAE Genus Tegillarca 71. Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Order MYTILOIDA Family MYTILIDAE Genus Perna 72. Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758 )

Genus Modiolus 73. Modiolus modulaides (Roding, 1798)


45

Order VENEROIDA Family VENERIDAE Genus Gafrarium 74. Gafrarium divaricatum (Gmelin, 1791)

Genus Meretrix 75. Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Marcia 76. Marcia opima Gmelin, 1791 Family DONACIDAE Genus Donax 77. Donax incarnatus Gmelin, 1791 78. Donax cuneatus (Linnaeus, 1758) 79. Donax scortum (Linnaeus, 1758) Family OSTRIDAE Genus Crassostrea 80. Crassostrea cattuckensis (Newton & Smith, 1912)

Genus Saccostrea 81. Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1778) Family MACTRIDAE Genus Mactra 82. Mactra violacea Gmelin, 1791

Number of genera : 44 Number of families : 27 Specis diversity : 2.02

9.1.16. Brachyuran Crabs

A total of 49 species of brachyuran crabs under 26 genera and 16 families were reported

from the coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 16). Species diversity was 1.21.

Table 16: Brachyuran crabs of project site and adjoining coastal areas

Section:Brachyura Subsection: Dromiacea De Haan, 1839 SuperFamily: Dromiidea Alcock, 1899 Family: Dromidae Alcock, 1899 Genus: Dromia Weber, 1795

1. Dromia dehaani Rathbun, 1923 Genus: Conchoecetes Stimpson, 1858

2. Conchoecetes artificious (Fabricuis, 1798) Subsection: Oxystomata De Haan, 1841 Family: Dorippidae White, 1841


46

Genus: Dorippe Weber, 1795 3. Dorippe (Dorippe) frascone (Herbst, 1785)

Genus: Paradorippe Serene &Romimohtarto 4. Paradorippe granulata (De Haan, 1841)

Family: Leucosiidae Dana, 1852 SubFamily: Philyrinae Rathbun, 1937 Genus: Arcania Leach, 1817

5. Arcania undecimspinosa De Haan, 1841 6. Arcania quinguespinosa Alcock and Anderson, 1894 7. Arcania septemspinosa De Haan, 1841 8. Arcania erinaceous (Fabricius, 1798)

Genus : Myra Leach, 1817 9. Myra fugax (Fabricius, 1798) 10. Myra affinis Bell, 1855

Genus : Ixoides Mac Gilchrist, 1905 11. Ixoides cornutus Mac Gilchrist, 1905

Genus: Ixa Leach, 1815 12. Ixa inermis Leach, 1879 13. Ixa cylindrus (Fabr.) Leach (Fabricinus, 1798)

Genus: Parilia Wood-Mason, 1891 14. Parilla alcockii Eood-Mason, 1891

Genus: Philyra Leach, 1817 15. Philyra globosa Fabr. De Haan, 1888 16. Philyra globulosa Edw, 1855 17. Philyra scabriscula (Fabr.) 1855 18. Philyra verrucosa, Hendenson 1893

SubFamily: Leucosinae Miers, 1886 Genus: Leucosia Weber, 1795

19. Leucosia anatum (Herbst, 1783) 20. Leucosia craniolaris (Linnaeus, 1758) 21. Leucosia rhomboidalis De Haan, 1841 22. Leucosia longifronis De Haan, 1841 23. Leucosia pubescensis Miers, 1886

Family : Calappidae Dana, 1852 SubFamily : Calappinae Alcock, 1896 Genus: Calappa Weber, 1795

24. Calappa lophos (Herbst, 1782) 25. Calappa terraerequiiae Ward, 1936 26. Calappa philargius (Linnaeus, 1758) 27. Calappa gallus, Herbst, 1803


47

28. Calappa japonicas Ortmann, 1892 29. Calappa pustulosa Alcock, 1896

SubFamily : Matutinae Alcock, 1896 Genus : Matuta weber, 1795

30. Matuta lunaris (Forskal, 1775) 31. Matula plainpes Fabricius, 1798 32. Matula miersi Henderson, 1887

Subsection: Oxyrhyncha Latreille, 1803 Family : Majidae Samoulle, 1819 SubFamily : Pisinae Alcock, 1895 Genus: Inachoides 1838

33. Inachoides dulichorhynchius Alcock and Anderson, 1894 Genus: Naxoides A. Milne Edwards, 1865

34. Naxoides mammillata (Ortmann, 1893) Genus : Phalangipus Latreille, 1825

35. Phalangipus hystrix (Miers, 1836) 36. Phalangipus filliformis Rathbun, 1916

Genus: Chorilibinia Lockington, 1876 37. Chorilibinia andamanica Alcock, 1895

Genus: Hyastenus White, 1847 38. Hyastenus aries (Latr. 1825)

Genus: Doclea Leach, 1814 39. Doclea ovis (Herbst 1788) 40. Doclea hybrida (Fabr.) Edw. 1798 41. Doclea muricata (Herbst.)Edw. 42. Doclea canalifera Stimpson, 1853

Family: Parathonopidae Miers, 1897 SubFamily : Parthenopinae Miers, 1879 Genus : Parthenope Weber, 1795 SubGenus : Partheriope Weber, 1795

43. Parathenope(Partheriope) longimanus (Linnaeus, 1764) SubGenus: Platylambrus Stimpson

44. Parathenope (Platylambrus) echinatua (Linnaeus, 1764) SubFamily : Aethrinae Dana, 1852 Genus: Cryptopodia H. Milne Edwards, 1834

45. Cryptopodia fornicata (Fabr.) 46. Cryptopodia angulata Ed. and Lucas,1841

Subsection: Brachyrhyncha Borradile, 1903 Family : Xanthidae Alcock, 1898 SubFamily: Xanthinae Alcock, 1898


48

Alliance: Halimedoida Alcock, 1898 Genus:Halimeda De Haan, 1835

47. Halimeda octodes (Herbst, 1783) Genus: Liagore De Haan, 1833.

48. Liagore rubramaculata De Haan, 1835 Alliance: Xanthoida Alcock, 1898 Genus: Demania Laurie, 1906

49. Demania scaberrima (Walker, 1887) Number of genera : 26 Number of families : 16 Specis diversity : 1.21

9.1.17. Marine Fishes

A total of 43 species of marine fin fishes were observed from the coastal areas of

Mumbai (Table 17). Species diversity was 2.28.

Table 17: Marine of Project site and adjoining coastal areas

Class: CHONDRICHTHYES Sub Class: ELASMOBRANCHII Order: CARCHARHINIFORMES

1. Carcharhinus sorrah (Muller & Henle, 1839) 2. Carcharhinus dussumieri(Muller & Henle, 1839) 3. Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) 4. Scoliodon laticaudus (Muller & Hanle,1838)

Family: Sphyrnidae 5. Sphyrna zygaena(Linnaeus, 1758)

Order: RAJIFORMES Family: Dasyatidae

6. Himanturagerrardi(Gray, 1851) Class: OSTEICHTHYES Subclass: ACTINOPTERYGII Order: ANGUILLIFORMES Family: Congridae

7. Conger cinereusRuppell, 1830 Family: Muraenidae

8. Gymnothoraxthyrsoideus(Richardson, 1845) Order: CLUPEIFORMES Family: Clupeidae

9. Tenulalosailisha(Hamilton) Family: Engraulidae

10. Coiliadussumieri(Valenciennes, 1848) 11. Thryssamystax(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Order: AULOPIFORMES Family: Synodontidae


49

12. Harpadonnehereus (Hamilton) Order: PLEURONECTIFORMES Family: Psettodidae

13. Psettodeserumei (Bloch & Schneider,1801) Family: Cynoglossidae

14. Cynoglossusmacrolepidotus(Bleeker,1851) 15. Paraplagusiabilineata (Bloch,1787)

Order: Mugliformes Family: Muglidae

16. Mugilcephalus Linnaeus,1758 17. Valamugilseheli (Forsskal)

Order: PERCIFORMES Family: Ephippidae

18. Ephippusorbis (Bloch,1787) Family: Sparidae

19. Argyropsspinifer (Forsskal,1775) Family: Gobiidae

20. Boleophthalmusboddarti (Pallas,1770) 21. Family: Scombridae 22. Rastrelligerkanagurta (Cuvier,1816) 23. Euthynnusaffinis (Cantor,1849) 24. Sardaorientalis (Temminck&Schlegel,1844) 25. Katsuwonuspelamsi(Linnaeus,1758) 26. Thunnus obesus (Lowe,1839) 27. Thunnus albacores (Bonnaterre,1788 28. Scomberomorouscommerson (Lacepede,1800) 29. Scomberomorousguttatus (Bloch & Schneider,1801)

Family: Scianidae 30. Johnius dussumeri (Cuvier,1830) 31. Nibeasoldado (Lacepede,1802) 32. Otolithusruber (Bloch & Schneider,1801)

Family: Centropomodae 33. Latescalcarifer(Bloch,1790)

Family: Trichuridae 34. Lepturacanthussavala (Cuvier,1829)

Family: Carangidae 35. Decapterusrusselli (Ruppell,1830) 36. Megalaspiscordyla (Linnaeus,1758) 37. Parastromateusniger (Bloch,1795)

Family: Stromateidae 38. Pampusargenteus (Euphrasen,1788)

Family: Polynemidae 39. Eleutheronematetradactylus (Shaw,1804)

Family: Priacanthidae 40. Priacanthushamrur(Forsskal,1775)

Family: Scatophagidae


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41. Scatophagusargus (Linnaeus,1766) Family: Teraponidae Teraponjarbua(Forsskal,1775 Family: Cichlidae

42. Oreochromismossambica (Peters,1852) Order: SILURIMORMES Family: Ariidae

43. Arius thalassinus(Ruppell, 1837) Species diversity: 2.28

9.2. Terrestrial

9.2.1. Odonates

A total of 24 species of odonates under 28 genera and 7 families were reported from the

coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 18). The species diversity of the odonates was 1.42.

Table 18: Odonates of Mumbai Coast and adjoining areas

Phylum ARTHROPODA Class INSECTA

Order ODONATA Family Coenagrionidae Genus Agriocnemis 1. Agriocnemis pygmaea (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Ceriagrion 2. Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798)

Genus Ischnura 3. Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865) 4. Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Pseudagrion 5. Pseudagrion rubriceps Selys, 1876

Genus Rhodischnura 6. Ischnura nursei (Morton,1907) Family: Lestidae Genus Lestes 7. Lestes umbrinus (Selys,1891) Family: Aeshnidae Genus Anax 8. Anax guttatus (Burmeister, 1839)

Genus Hemianax 9. Hemianax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839) Family: Gomphidae


51

9.2.2. Butterflies

A total of 60 species of butterflies under 41 genera and 5 families were reported from the

coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 19). The species diversity of the butterflies was 2.43.

Genus Ictinogomphus 10. Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Paragomphus 11. Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850) Family: Libellulidae Genus Acisoma 12. Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842

Genus Brachydiplax 13. Brachydiplax sobrina (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Brachythemis 14. Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius,1793)

Genus Pantala 15. Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

Genus Potamarcha 16. Potamarcha congener (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Rhodothemis 17. Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842)

Genus Rhyothemis 18. Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763)

Genus Tholymis 19. Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798)

Genus Trithemis 20. Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) 21. Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889)

Genus Zyxomma 22. Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur, 1842

Family MACROMIIDAE

Genus Epophthalmia 23. Epophthalmia vittata Burmeister, 1839 24. Epophthalmia frontalis Selys, 1871

Total no. of genera : 22 Total no. of families: 06 Species diversity: 1.42


52

Table 19: Butterflies of Mumbai Coast and adjoining areas

Sl. No.

Species names

Phylum ARTHROPODA Class INSECTA Order LEPIDOPTERA Family PAPILIONIDAE Genus Graphium

1. Graphium nomius (Esper, 1798) 2. Graphium doson Felder & Felder, 1864 3. Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758) 4. Graphium sarpedon (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Papilio 5. Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 6. Papilio polymnestor Cramer, 1775 7. Papilio polytes Linnaeus, 1758

Genus Pachliopta 8. Pachliopta aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775) 9. Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus, 1758) Family PIERIDAE Genus Cepora 10. Cepora nerissa Fabricius, 1775

Genus Ixias 11. Ixias marianne (Cramer, 1779) 12. Ixias pyrene Linnaeus, 1764

Genus Hebomoia 13. Hebomoia glaucippe (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Delias 14. Delias eucharis (Drury, 1773)

Genus Leptosia 15. Leptosia nina (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Pareronia 16. Pareronia valeria (Cramer, 1776)

Genus Catopsilia 17. Catopsilia pomona Fabricius, 1775 18. Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Eurema 19. Eurema laeta Boisduval, 1836 Family NYMPHALIDAE Genus Parantica


53

20. Parantica aglea (Stoll, 1782) Genus Danaus

21. Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) 22. Danaus genutia (Cramer, 1779)

Genus Euploea 23. Euploea klugii Moore, 1858 24. Euploea core (Cramer, 1780)

Genus Mycalesis 25. Mycalesis perseus (Fabricius, 1775) 26. Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus, 1758) 27. Mycalesis visala Moore, 1858

Genus Phalanta 28. Phalanta phalantha (Drury, 1773)

Genus Acraea 29. Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Moduza 30. Moduza procris (Cramer, 1777)

Genus Neptis 31. Neptis hylas (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Phaedyma 32. Phaedyma columella (Cramer, 1780)

Genus Neptis 33. Neptis jumbah (Moore, 1858)

Genus Euthalia 34. Euthalia aconthea (Cramer, 1777)

Genus Ariadne 35. Ariadne merione (Cramer, 1777) 36. Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus, 1763)

Genus Junonia 37. Junonia atlites (Linnaeus, 1763) 38. Junonia almana Linnaeus, 1758 39. Junonia hierta (Fabricius, 1798) 40. Junonia iphita (Cramer, 1779) 41. Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Hypolimnas 42. Hypolimnas bolina Linnaeus, 1758 43. Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)

Genus Kallima 44. Kallima horsfieldi Kollar, 1844

Genus Charaxes


54

9.2.3. Amphibia

A total of 6 species of amphibians under 6 genera and 3 families were reported from the

coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 20). The species diversity of the amphibians was 0.34.

45. Charaxes solon (Fabricius, 1793) Genus Melanitis

46. Melanitis leda Linnaeus, 1758 Family LYCAENIDAE Genus Castalius 47. Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Tarucus 48. Tarucus nara (Kollar, 1848)

Genus Chilades 49. Chilades pandava (Horsfield, 1829)

Genus Zizula 50. Zizula hylax (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Freyeria 51. Freyeria trochylus (Freyer, 1845)

Genus Catochrysops 52. Catochrysops strabo (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Lampides 53. Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Genus Jamides 54. Jamides bochus (Stoll, 1782) 55. Jamides celeno (Cramer, 1775)

Genus Prosotas 56. Prosotas noreia (Felder, 1868) Family: Hesperiidae Genus Badamia 57. Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Borbo 58. Borbo cinnara (Wallace, 1866)

Genus Celaenorrhinus 59. Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Kollar, 1848)

Genus Sarangesa 60. Sarangesa purendra Moore, 1882

Total no. of genera : 41 Total no. of families: 05 Species diversity: 2.43


55

Table 20: Amphibia of Mumbai Coast and adjoining area

Order: Anura Family: Ranidae 1. Common Bull Frog- Hoplobatrachustrgerinus 2. Skipper Frog - Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 3. Fungoid Frog- Hylarana malabarica 4. Cricket Frog- Fejervarya limnochoris Family: Bufonidae 5. Indian toad- Duttaphrynus melanostictus Family: Rhacophoridae 6. Common Tree Frog- Polypedates maculatus

9.2.4. Reptiles

A total of 10 species of reptiles were reported from the coastal areas of Mumbai (Table

21). The species diversity of the reptiles was 1.10.

Table 21: Reptilia of Mumbai Coast and adjoining area

Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Agamidae

1. Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor Family: Gekonidae

2. Broke’s Gecko Hemidactylus brookii 3. Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

Family: Scincidae 4. Brahminy Skink Eutropis carinata

Family: Colubridiae 5. Rat Snake Ptyas mucosa 6. Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator 7. Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus 8. Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta 9. Dog Faced Snake Cerberus rynchops

Family: Viprideae 10. Russel’s Viper Daboia russelii

9.2.5. Birds

A total of 44 species of birds were reported from the coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 22).

The species diversity of birds was 2.05.

Table 22: Birds of Mumbai Coast

Class: Aves Order: Coraciiformes


56

Family: Alcedinidae 1. Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Family: Halcyonidae 2. White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

Family: Meropidae 3. Small Bee-eater Merops orientalis

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

4. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Family: Centropodidae

5. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

6. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

7. House Swift Apus affinis Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

8. Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia 9. Order: Gruiformes

Family: Rallidae Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

10. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 11. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 12. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 13. Common Redshank Tringa totanus 14. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 15. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 16. Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii 17. Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 18. Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Family: Charadriidae 19. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 20. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 21. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 22. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 23. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultia 24. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus


57

Family: Laridae 25. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans 26. Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini 27. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus 28. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 29. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei 30. Little Tern Sterna albifrons

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae

31. Black Kite Milvus migrans 32. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae

33. Little Egret Egretta garzetta 34. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 35. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

36. House Crow Corvus splendens 37. Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

Family: Sturnidae 38. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

Family: Pycnonotidae 39. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 40. White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 41. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer

Family: Nectariniidae 42. Purple-rumped Sunbird- Nectarinia zeylonica 43. Purple Sunbird- Nectarinia asiatica

Family: Passeridae 44. House Sparrow- Passer domesticus

9.2.6. Mammals

A total of 4 species of mammals under 4genera and 2 families were observed from the the

project site and adjoining coastal areas of Mumbai (Table 23). The species diversity of mammals

was 0.62.


58

Table 23: Mammals of project site and adjoining coastal area

Sl. No.

Scientific Name Common Name

Class MAMMALIA Linnaeus, 1758 Order RODENTIA Bowdich, 1821 Family MURIDAE Illiger, 1811

Genus Rattus Fischer de Waldheim, 1803 1. Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) House Rat

Genus Mus Linnaeus, 1758 2. Mus Musculus Linnaeus, 1758 House Mouse

Genus Bandicota Gray, 1873 3. Bandicota indica (Bechstein, 1800) Large Bandicoot

Order SORICOMORPHA Gregory, 1910 Family SORICIDAE G. Fischer, 1814 Genus Suncus Ehrenberg, 1832

4. Suncus murinus (Linnaeus, 1766) House Shrew Species diversity : 0.62

10. SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS

The significant observations made during the survey have been summarized below.

1. Rapid industrialization associated with extensive population growth for the last few

decades in Mumbai is resulted in the release of large quantity of anthropogenic non-

biodegradable waste into nearby coastal and marine ecosystem. The Versova beach is full

of waste and polluted materials or garbage.

2. Wave height was in between 2.9 m to 3.7 m during the survey period.

3. The maximum depth of the proposed project site is 5.2m at the proximal end within 500m

of BMH.

4. The pH of water was within the range of 7.8 to 8.0 at the area of 500m radius whereas the

range was 8.0 to 8.2 up to the 12 nautical miles area.

5. The salinity was in between 24 to 27ppt within the 500 m of BMH however, 25 to 30 ppt

up to 12 nautical miles area.

6. Transparency of the water column ranges from 0.21 to 0.35 m within the 500 m of BMH

while 3.22 to 4.25m in deeper waters.

7. Sea surface temperature was maximum 31.2ºC while minimum 31.0 ºC within the 500m

of BMH and 32.2 ºC to 33.0 ºC up to the area of 12 nautical miles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edward_Bowdich

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Karl_Wilhelm_Illiger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Fischer_von_Waldheim


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Linnaeus



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Matth%C3%A4us_Bechstein

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_King_Gregory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthelf_Fischer_von_Waldheim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Gottfried_Ehrenberg




59

8. Seasonal swarming of jelly fishes was observed.

9. Few species of molluscs like Nerita chameleon, Planaxis niger, Thais bufo and

Gafrarium divaricatum etc. with the density of 2 individuals/ m2 from the study area.

10. Several species of crabs like Petrolisthes lamarckii, Eriphia sebana and Grapsus

tenuicrustatus were observed during the study period with the density of 6-10

individuals/m2 from the study area.

11. Several species of stranded fishes were spotted at the study areas such as Arius

thalassinus, Otolithes sp., Protonibea sp.

12. Macro-benthic components like amphipods, foraminifera, copepods and polychaetes were

also observed in the sediment samples.

13. Zooplankton samples collected from the study areas indicated that, copepods are the

dominant group which represents about 40% of the total zooplanktonic composition

followed by foraminifera.

14. Fish larvae, echinoderm larvae, cirriped larvae were also observed among zooplankton.

15. The numeric density of zooplankton ranges from 2000-3000 individual/100m3 with the

volume of 0.4to 120ml/100m3.

16. Present study revealed about 50 species of phytoplankton.

17. It is pertinent to mention that 3 species of sea snakes were observed from the study area

out of the reported 12 species of sea snakes.

18. Earlier studies conducted by ZSI in this region reported the sighting of Dolphins and

Turtles from the proposed alignment for laying undersea cable.

11. EXPECTED IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

1. Turbidity: Ploughing of the submarine cable at sea bed, especially in shallow waters,

may lead to generation of turbidity due to suspension of sea bed sediments. To minimize

the impacts, cable should be laid during high tide so as the sediments settle down along

with the water currents as soon as they are disturbed.

2. Dredged Soil: The soil will be dredged from the sea bottom should be dispersed of in an

appropriate manner as per the regulation drawn by IMO i.e. materials should be disposed

in open sea where depth is more than 100m.

60


61

1. No Endemic and Endangered and scheduled animals (under IUCN and Indian Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972) like dolphin, turtle, sea cucumbers etc. were recorded in the near

shore waters during the study period.

2. No coral beds exist in the vicinity of proposed project site.

3. No mangrove swamps were recorded at the project site.

4. No significant nesting/breeding grounds for the endemic or migratory birds are available

in the proposed project site.

5. No turtle nesting sites observed in the beach area.

6. The proposed site does not fall under any migratory route of birds.

7. No noteworthy benthic components were recorded.

8. The proposed site does not falls under any protected areas like Wildlife Sanctuary,

National Park and Biosphere Reserve.

9. It is suggested to record the data on the status of faunal and floral communities after the

completion of the project to assess the impact of the project on ecology of the area.

13. REFERENCES

Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp and T. Inskipp, 1998. Birds of Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, 888 p.

Kathirvel, M., 1983. Crab resources and prospects for crab culture. C.M.F.R.I. Bull., 34: 66- 68pp. Lally, C.M. and Parsons, T.R., 1997. Biological Oceanography, and introduction, 2nd Edition,

Butterworth Heinmann, Oxford, 314p. Ludwig, J. A. and J. F. Reynolds, 1988. Statistical Ecology, A Premier on Methods and

Computing. A Wiley-Interscince publication. 337 p. Shannon, C.E., 1948. "A mathematical theory of communication". Bell System Technical Journal, 27: 379–423 and 623–656. Smith, M.A., 1933. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and

Amphibia. Vol. I Loricata Testudiens, Taylor and Francic, London.


62

Smith, M.A., 1935. . The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and

Amphibia. Vol. II Sauria, Taylor and Francic, London. Smith, M.A., 1943. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and

Amphibia. Vol. III, Taylor and Francic, London. Sørensen, T., 1948. A method of establishing groups of equal amplitude in plant sociology based on similarity of species and its application to analyses of the vegetation on Danish commons. Biologiske Skrifter / Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, 5: 1–34.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kongelige_Danske_Videnskabernes_Selskab

Team members Seiving sediment samples in the Project area

Team members collecting Plankton samples in the project area

Team members operating sediment grab at 12 nautical mile of the

project area

Team members collecting samples for BOD in the project area

(Anna University)

Appendix III – Project Layout Map marked on CRZ Map (1:4000 scale) prepared by Authorized Agency

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72°49'0"E

72°49'0"E

72°48'30"E

72°48'30"E

19°8

'0"N

19°8

'0"N

PREPARED BY

INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSINGANNA UNIVERSITYCHENNAI - 600 025

FOR

M/s. RELIANCE JIO INFOCOMM LTD,D-7, DHAWANDEEP BUILDING

6, JANTAR MANTARNEW DELHI - 110 001, INDIA

LEGEND

LOW TIDE L INE (LTL)

HIGH TIDE L INE (HTL) / HTL (CREEK)

? HTL REFERENCE POINTS

PROPERTY BOUNDARY

WARD BOUNDARY

µ

CRZ - II

CRZ MAPPING FOR THE PROPOSED "ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE ONE (AAE - 1) SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM" PROJECT SITE AT VERSOVA BEACH, MUMBAI, INDIA

200m FROM HTL

500m FROM HTL

SOURCE : CLIENT

A R A B I A N S E A

CRZ - IVA

CRZ - III

HIGH TIDE LINELO

W TID

E LIN

E

200m FRO

M HTL

500m FR

OM

HTL

PREPARED BY

VERIFIED BY

APPROVED BY

!?

!?

!?

!?

ENLARGED VIEW OF BMH LOCATION(SCALE 1 : 500)

0 50 100 150 20025M

SCALE 1 : 4000

100m FROM HTL (CREEK)

CRZ - IB

COASTAL REGULATION ZONATION

JP ROAD

PROPOSED CABLE ALIGNMENT

2m

3m

HIGH TIDE LINE

B

A

C

D

PROPOSED BEACH MAN HOLE (BMH) - 3m Long x 2m Wide x 2m Deep

Appendix IV – 7 km radius map round the Project Site

Appendix V – Development Plan (DP) Remark for the BMH Location