Sardar Sarovar Project -: a conservation threat to the Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur)

The 4900 sq. km(2) Wild Ass Sanctuary (WAS) in western India harbours one of the surviving endangered subspecies of Asian wild ass Equus hemionus khur, and other flora and fauna unique to this area. The proposed irrigation component of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) threatens the conservation value of the area, since it will cause loss of wildlife habitat, grazing land and will have long-term consequences due to waterlogging caused by excessive irrigation and soil salinization. Wildlife habitat constituting 30-51% of 1.3 million ha in eight administrative units (talukas) around WAS will be affected by changes in land use pattern. Appropriate changes in the canals around WAS are suggested to conserve the biological integrity of the area. Such changes will cause the decline of only 8.6% of the total SSP irrigated (command) area. Compensatory development programmes for 93 villages deprived of SSP benefits due to the changes are suggested. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.