STATUS OF HIGH VERTEBRATE FAUNA AND THEIR HABITATS IN POTENTIAL LIMESTONE MINING AREAS OFALECH HILLS OFGUJARAT, INDIA

Unsustainable mining is one of the key development threats to the biodiversity. Alech hill in west-central Saurashtra region has substantial limestone deposits with long history of limestone and sandstone extraction. The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to this area has been frontrunners for second home of Asiatic lions. A rapid field study was carried out in excavated mine sites (core area)and adjacent area up to 10 km as buffer. Flora,fauna and habitat characteristics were sampled on circular plots and belt transects (n=145). Total 85, 12, 42 and 14 species of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals were recorded. Invasive exotic weeds such as Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara are most common shrub plant species across the area and seems to have replaced native floral assemblage. Mostfaunal species found were hardy and common while important native wildlife species such as wolf and blackbuck have become rare. It seems thatNilgai and Wild pig are slowly replacing native sympatric species. Environment friendly mining followed by ecological restoration as well as judicious use of geological resources may provide the solution to arrest degradation of the precious natural resources in potential mining areas.