Page 58 - Tcexpression2021 - Sept to Dec 2020

Case Study: Biodiversity assessment
and remediation plan for UNKAL

NALLA at HUBBALI, KARNATAKA

T he Unkal Nalla, a stormwater drain of Hubli city, enhance aquatic biodiversity indirectly controlling

originates at Unkal Lake as natural stormwater
scavenging fauna populations like black kites, dogs
drainage and flows through Hubli city. The Nalla
is currently very polluted as it receives sewage and & pigs.
industrial waste from various inlets. Also, solid-waste Development of butterfly garden and frog ponds to
dumping, including slaughter waste, is being carried improve biodiversity
out at many locations of the Nalla.
Restriction on operation timings of fountains
Objective: This degraded state of the Nalla considering feeding movement of aquatic birds like
necessitated interventions to understand the current River Terns in the area
status and improve its overall condition. TCE carried
out a biodiversity assessment study to understand Considering the presence of Grey hornbills planting
the current needs and interventions to improve fruiting plants is also recommended
biodiversity.

Key Observation: Invasive species like Eichhornia
crassipes (known for its invasiveness) & Alternanthera
sessilis (known for drainage clogging) were an area of
concern.

Recommendations for Biodiversity
Conservation: The entire study was planned considering IFC standards
and outcome will help the client improve the condition
of the Nalla by rejuvenating and developing a green
Considering the species richness & evenness, their mobility corridor project with minimum impact on
density, movement, habitat requirement, IUCN biodiversity. The proposed project with suggested
status and possible impacts due to proposed Nalla interventions will enhance local biodiversity and
rejuvenation project, mitigation measures were increase green area per individual in the city. This will
provided by TCE to avoid/reduce biodiversity loss and also contribute to Sustainable Goal 6 (Clean Water and
also improvement of low biodiversity areas. Mitigation Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 14
measures include following: (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land).

Removal of invasive plant species and plantation of
native plants in the riparian area
Author
Maintaining existing green areas, including
wetlands with aquatic plants.
Alok Kumar- Deputy General Manager
Regulating solid-waste dumping, including Tata Consulting Engineers Limited (TCE)
slaughter waste and improving water quality to

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