Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for Vedanta Ltd., Cairn oil and Gas

Terracon Ecotech developed BMP for three different location of Vedanta viz Rajasthan, Suvali and Ravva

Service Provided

Ecological and Biodiversity Impact Assessment

Ecosystem Services Benchmarking

Leopold Matrix Impact Evaluation

Service Provided

Oil and gas

Introduction

In a strategic partnership with Vedanta Limited (Cairn Oil and Gas), Terracon Ecotech spearheaded a year-long initiative from January 2017 to January 2018 to formulate a groundbreaking Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for its Rajasthan, Ravva and Suvali Oil and Gas Block. As a global mining leader, Vedanta’s commitment to biodiversity conservation was elevated through its policy-driven collaboration, aiming to identify, assess, and mitigate impacts on biodiversity in its Barmer district operations.

Project Description

The oil and gas industry significantly contributes to pollution, impacting biodiversity across various dimensions. Accidental oil spills from drilling, transportation, and platforms have the potential to harm marine life, causing habitat degradation and long-term ecological damage. Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fossil fuel extraction and combustion contribute to climate change, affecting ecosystems and altering species distribution.

Chemical discharges and inadequate management of produced water during extraction processes lead to water pollution, adversely affecting aquatic life. Infrastructure development for oil and gas activities results in habitat disturbance and fragmentation. Furthermore, noise pollution from industry operations can disrupt marine life behaviors. To address these issues, efforts include the development of cleaner technologies, stringent regulations, and a shift towards sustainable practices in the industry to mitigate its impact on biodiversity.

The multifaceted impacts of the oil and gas industry on biodiversity underscore the need for a comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). Terracon Ecotech’s systematic approach aligned Vedanta Limited with global biodiversity conservation goals, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) not only heightened awareness about biodiversity issues but also initiated targeted conservation activities. Focused on the Mangala, Bhagyam, Aishwarya, Saraswati, and Rageshwari fields, the BMP outlined strategies for preventive measures, habitat enhancement, vulture conservation, and biodiversity awareness. The project was both on and offshore sites, Suvali and Ravva were within the coastal region whereas Rajasthan was the dessert region. The study was carried out in two seasons in all three locations covering the total area of 3672 sq km. Simultaneously, it fostered employee awareness and capacity-building within the project’s socio-ecological framework.

The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) stands as a testament to Vedanta’s commitment to responsible mining practices and sustainable biodiversity management in the oil and gas exploration sector.

Methodology

This Hydrocarbon block featured an onshore terminal housing 60 well pads, extracting oil and gas from five hydrocarbon fields—Mangala, Bhagyam, Aishwarya, Saraswati, and Rageshwari. The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) was structured into three main sections: Ecological Assessment, Biodiversity Impact Assessment, and Ecosystem Services Benchmarking. The Leopold Matrix assessed the impact of each project activity on the physical and biological environment. A socio-ecological survey was conducted concurrently with the project, and employee awareness training and capacity building were integral components of the methodology.

Outcome

Management strategies were derived from the BMP to aid biodiversity conservation and enhancement. Actions for biodiversity management were broadly categorized into four strategies: preventive measures for animal mortality caused by vehicular traffic, habitat enhancement, vulture conservation, and biodiversity awareness. The study also contributed to employee awareness and capacity building as tangible outputs of the project.