Characterization and mapping of major Habitats/Ecosystems and identification of flora and fauna within and around the factory boundary and identification of critical ecosystem services linked to operations.

Mapping and description of habitats and terrestrial ecosystems within the project boundary and study area.

General description of aquatic ecosystems in the study area including the source of water for the project.

To assess the presence of protected areas, wildlife corridors, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in the study area, if any based on IBAT, DOPA, and Protected Areas database

Identification of flora and fauna along with rare, endemic, and endangered species; nationally, regionally, or locally significant species and communities present in the study area as per Wildlife Act, 1972 schedules

To ascertain the migratory routes of fauna, the presence of breeding grounds, and sensitive habitats in the study area.

Mapping non-native or invasive species in operation

Ecosystem Service Matrix (ESM) Tool

Businesses not only affect ecosystem services but also rely upon them. The level of impacts and dependencies of a business vary from project to project and on the project modality.  Identification of ecosystems in and around project location and analysis of varied ecosystem services provided by them to operational locations of a business is critical to their management for long term benefits.

The Ecosystem Service Matrix (ESM) methodology is a risk-based approach, where different ecosystem services (materials to general services) across its value chain will be mapped along with relevance as per cost to company to identify major interventions (based ISO 31000 principles).

 

The level of dependencies, impacts and management measures initiated for management of ecosystem services are analysed based on the scale given in table.

 

Natural Capital Valuation

Valuation of important ecosystem services

Valuation of critical ecosystem services for the business and local communities

Analysing return on investment

Estimating return on investment with respect to investment made by organization and total value of mangroves

Carbon Sequestration Tool

It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. It is adopted from the CPCB Guidelines for Developing Greenbelts. The carbon dioxide sequestered in tree species are determined based on following method:

Natural Capital Action Plan

Site-specific plan developed for a particular industry or developmental project and used by the site
management team to maintain or improve biodiversity values in and around the project. Based on the issues identified at project sites, detailed action plans are developed to manage biodiversity e.g., Management of Invasive species, development of Greenbelt, ecosystem-restoration.

Industry Biodiversity Index (IBI)

IBI is a tool to assess the existing scenario of biodiversity of a project site. It also helps in identifying the opportunities for further improvement of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The methodology for the index is adopted from Convention of Biological Diversity – City Biodiversity Index (CBI)

The index has 100 points score system with 25 indicators