ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES OF THE
POLLUTED WATER AT PATANCHERU INDUSTRIAL
AREA, HYDERABAD, A.P.
N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY
M.Sc. (App. Geol.), M.Sc. (Geog.)
THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE KAKATIYA UNIVERSITY
FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
Doctor of Philosophy
IN GEOLOGY
1999

iii
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the research work of this thesis entitled “Environmental
Impact Assessment Studies of the Polluted Water at Patancheru Industrial Area,
Hyderabad, A.P.”, has been originally carried out by me in the Department of
Geology, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India, and it has not
been submitted either in full or in part for the award of any degree or diploma
to any other Institution / University.
N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY
Department of Geology
Kakatiya University,
Warangal - 506 009 (A.P.)

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CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABSTRACT 1- 8
CHAPTER – I INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL 9
1.2 LOCATION AND EXTENT OF THE AREA 12
1.3 INDUSTRIAL SCENARIO IN MEDAK DISTRICT 12
1.4 BACKGROUND 22
1.5 SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM 23
1.6 METHODOLOGY 26
C H A P T E R - II PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
2.1 INTRODUCTION 32
2.2 GEOLOGY 32
2.3 TOPOGRAPHY 36
2.4 SOILS 36
2.5 CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY 45
2.5.1 TEMPERATURE 46
2.5.2 EVAPORATION 47
2.5.3 RAINFALL 48
2.5.4 WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION 48
2.6 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY 56
C H A P T E R - I I I BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION 59
3.2 FLORA 59
3.3 FAUNA 66
3.4 FLORA AND FAUNA OF SURFACE WATER 67

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CHAPTER-IV SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
4.1 INTRODUCTION 71
4.2 POPULATION 71
4.3 EDUCATION 74
4.4 HEALTH 77
4.5 LAND-USE 79
4.6 AGRICULTURE 82
4.7 EMPLOYMENT 87
4.8 POPULATION STRUCTURE OF MOST POLLUTED VILLAGES 89
4.9 CULTURAL PROPERTIES 92
CHAPTER-V WATER ENVIRONMENT
5.1 INTRODUCTION 95
5.2 NAKKAVAGU BASIN 97
5.2.1 DRAINAGE SYSTEM 99
5.2.2 TANKS 100
5.3 INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN NAKKAVAGU BASIN 103
5.3.1 COMMON EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANTS 109
5.3.1.1 CETP-PATANCHERU 109
5.3.1.2 CETP-BOLLARAM 111
5.4 SURFACE WATER 114
5.4.1 FLOWING WATERS 120
5.4.1.1 SURFACE WATERS ANALYTICAL RESULTS 122
5.4.1.1.1 SUMMER DATA OF STREAMS (S - DATA) 122
5.4.1.1.2 RAINY SEASON DATA OF STREAMS (R - DATA) 128
5.4.1.1.3 WINTER DATA OF STREAMS (W - DATA) 136
5.4.1.2 QUALITY OF STREAMS 136
5.4.2 TANKS 138

vii
5.4.2.1 TANKS ANALYTICAL RESULTS 138
5.5 GROUNDWATER
5.5.1 GROUNDWATER IN GRANITES 141
5.5.2 GROUNDWATER ANALYTICAL RESULTS 149
5.5.2.1 SUMMER DATA (S - DATA) 149
5.5.2.2 G1 AND G2-DATA 154
CHAPTER-VI DISCUSSIONS
6.1 INTRODUCTION 172
6.2 ECOSPHERE 172
6.3 HYDROSPHERE 174
6.4 ROLE OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ENVIRONMENT 174
6.5 WATER CONTAMINATION 175
6.6 INDUSTRIES AND POLLUTION 176
6.7 INDUSTRIES AND MICRO-CLIMATE 179
6.7.1 SMOG 179
6.7.2 ACID RAINS 180
6.7.3 HEAT ISLAND 180
6.8 TOXICITY 181
6.8.1 TOXICS FOUND IN NAKKAVAGU BASIN 183
6.9 PEOPLE 194
6.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES 195
6.11 LANDSCAPE 196
6.12 CONCEPTS OF EIA AND SEA 199
CHAPTER-VII ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
7.1 INTRODUCTION 206
7.2 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 206
7.2.1 GEOLOGY 206

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7.2.2 TOPOGRAPHY 207
7.2.3 SOILS 207
7.2.4 CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY 210
7.3 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 211
7.3.1 FLORA 211
7.3.2 FAUNA 211
7.3.3 FLORA AND FAUNA OF SURFACE WATERS 214
7.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT 214
7.4.1 POPULATION 214
7.4.2 EDUCATION 215
7.4.3 HEALTH 215
7.4.4 LAND-USE 216
7.4.5 AGRICULTURE 216
7.4.6 EMPLOYMENT 216
7.4.7 CULTURAL PROPERTIES 217
7.5 WATER ENVIRONMENT ' 217
7.5.1 NAKKAVAGU BASIN 217
7.5.2 INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN NAKKAVAGU BASIN 218
7.5.3 SURFACE WATER 220
7.5.4 GROUNDWATER 223
7.6 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON NAKKAVAGU BASIN
WITH AND WITHOUT INDUSTRIES 223
CHAPTER- VIII CONCLUSIONS AND MITIGATIONS
8.1 CONCLUSIONS 230
8.2 MITIGATIONS 232
REFERENCES 235

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish the deep sense of gratitude to Dr. K. Narender Reddy. Chairman. Board of
Studies. Department of Geology. Kakatiya University (K.U.), Warangal, for his
continued encouragement, guidance, and freedom during the progress of work.
It was a great pleasure to work under such a warm and ever helpful Guide.
I express thanks to Prof. V. Madhavan, Head, Department of Geology, K.U., Prof.
Padmanabha Rao, Dean, Faculty of Science, K.U. and Dr. K. Niranjan Kumar and
Dr. K. David, Asst. Professors, Dept. of Geology, K.U., for their co-operation
during the study.
I am very much thankful to Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy. Head, Department of
Political Science, O.U., for motivating me to work on environmental problems
and also for all the help rendered by him during the research work. I am
grateful to Late Shri V.R Reddy, Director, DDS. Hyderabad for getting me
involved in National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC), and on other
various environmental issues, the participation helped me in understanding the
intricacies of the environment.
I express my deep sense of gratitude to Dr. S.D. Bhadrinath. Senior Deputy
Director (Retd.), NEERI, for his valuable suggestions and comments during the
final stages of the thesis. I express my thanks to Dr. U.V. Bhaskar Reddy, Dept.
of Geochemistry. O.U., for providing me with a statistical package (SYSTAT) and
for all the help during the work. Thanks to Dr. P. Venkat Reddy, Professor of
Zoology and Dr. V.S. Raju, Associate Professor of Botany, of K.U. for their helpful
discussion and comments on Biological Environment. Thanks are also to Dr.
Biksham G. Manager. Fresh Water. WWF (Geneva); Prof. Y. Anjaneyulu. JNTU,
Hyderabad; Dr. Nagi Reddy, Archaeology and Museums. Hyderabad; and Dr.
Kishan Rao of Patancheru, received their help at various stages of my thesis

x
work. With Shri. K. Ashok Reddy, Advocate. I had the pleasure of sharing and
learning the legal aspects of environmental issues for which I am grateful to
him.
1 am thankful to Dr. D.D. Basu. Senior Scientist. Dr. R.C. Trivedi. Senior Scientist
and Mr. N.S. Babu. Asst. Env. Engineer of CPCB, New Delhi, during the Impact
assessment and performance evaluation of Bollaram and Patancheru industrial
area (Jan 18-24. 1998). As part of the study team, in their company I could learn
and share several things on the environment. Thanks are also to Mr. Surendra
Raj, Senior Engineer. Mr. N. B. Ramesh, Scientist, Mr. Ramesh Chandra, Mr.
Prasad, Mr. Veeranna and other staff members of APPCB, with them, collected
the samples (August '97) and for all the information provided by them.
I am grateful to my friends Dr. Satish C. Jayanthi, Scientist, NRSA, Mr. G. Santosh
Reddy, Yegna Envirochem Labs, Mr. D. Narasimha Reddy, Center for Resource
Education and Mr. Navneeth Reddy for their valuable suggestions and criticism
during the final stages of writing the thesis.
I wish to say special thanks to my friends M. Prashanth (for his help throughout
the research work), and to D.V.M. Prabhakara Rao, Poorna, Sudhir, Kalyan,
Srisailam, Yugesh, Giridhar and Uma for all their help at various stages of my
research work.
I acknowledge the blessings of Prof. K. V. Subba Rao, Dept. of Earth Sciences,
IIT, Bombay. I am thankful to Jagga Reddy, Carmen, Vikram, and A.M. for their
best wishes and encouragement.
I express my love and thanks to those thousands of indigenous population who
are victims of environmental pollution, residing in Nakkavagu basin, as their
cause was my problem for the thesis. I also express my indebtedness to many

xi
of them unknown to me personally, who first spoke on reckless and
irresponsible poisoning of this fragile planet a home for millions of species
including man.
Without these friends, my work would have been difficult, thanks to Sashidhar
Reddy for getting me a good Computer, K. Venkateshwar Rao and Balram for
their excellent Xeroxing. Thanks to the staff of Kakatiya University, Venu, Rajitha,
Upender, Sarangapani, Ameer and Saraiah for all the help during the research
period.
Good and latest books are important especially when the subject is new, The
British Library. Hyderabad had been a great source for most of the literature on
Environmental Sciences, for which I am grateful to the management and staff of
The British Library.
I acknowledge C.S.LR, New Delhi, for all the financial assistance under JRF
(1995-97) and SRF (1997-99) and a contingency fund for research in Earth
Sciences.
Finally, I express my thanks to my parents who gave all the freedom in my life
and also for their support, encouragement and their belief in me. 1 am grateful
to my other family members Sisters, Brothers-in-law and Nieces (Dolly and
Bunny) for all the encouragement during my research work.
(N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy)
Date:18-02-1999

Abstract
1
ABSTRACT
Industrial activities including infrastructure and other associated developmental
activities, which are concentrated in certain zones especially to the south-
eastern quadrant of Nakkavagu basin. Consequently, physical, chemical and
biological nature of surface environment was altered. In this work it has been
tried to assess the impacts of such developmental activities on physical,
biological, socio-economic and cultural, and water environments in Nakkavagu
basin. Mainly based on the principles of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
and broadly on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
The Patancheru township and the main industrial area lies around 78 0
15’ East
longitude and 17 0
32’ North latitude in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh.
Patancheru industrial area in this context implies Patancheru, Bollaram,
Pashamylaram, Khazipalli, Gaddapotharam, Bonthapalli and Chitkul industrial
clusters, which are located in Nakkavagu basin. Nakkavagu basin extending
over 734 sq. kms, lies between the longitudes 78 deg. 05 min. and 78 deg. 25
min. East and the latitudes 17 deg. 25 min. and 17 deg. 45 min. North.
Nakkavagu (a stream) and its tributaries drain Nakkavagu basin. Nakkavagu
basin is the sub-basin of Manjira River basin, which in turn is the sub-basin of
Godavari River basin. Industrialisation in Patancheru area has devastated the
environment of Nakkavagu basin, which has about 300 industries. The present
work is an integrated and multidisciplinary approach towards assessing the
impact of water pollution and to some extent other kinds of pollution on
Nakkavagu basin.
Environmental impact may be defined as any changes of environmental
conditions or creation of a new set of environmental conditions, adverse or
beneficial, caused or induced by the action or set of actions under

Abstract
2
considerations. Environmental impacts can be of three types primary, secondary
and tertiary. Primary impacts are the result of direct actions and, secondary and
tertiary impacts are indirectly induced and typically include the associated
investment and changed patterns of social and economic activities by the
proposed action.
In the physical environment geology, topography, soils, climate and
meteorology, and air of a region influences the mobility, dispersion and
concentration of pollutants.
Granitic terrain of Nakkavagu basin being acidic in nature does not buffer the
acidic waters directly released by industries. Joints and fractures in the Granites
act as conduits for wider dispersion. Deep well disposal practice in Nakkavagu
basin is not recommendable. As Nakkavagu basin is located over hard rock area
(Peninsular granites and gneisses), effluents do not have any chance to
penetrate deep into the ground, and get restricted to shallow zones. With the
result, groundwater of the area gets polluted. It is possible that some of the
pollutants identified in water and soil samples are contributed by the geology
of the area.
Effluents flow all the way across the basin, which increases the residence time
for the toxicants; therefore, residence time of pollutants is more in the basin.
Slope of the basin is in the NW direction, while most of the industries are
located in the south-east quarter of the basin. The establishment of industries
and other ancillary structures have also resulted in change in the topography of
Nakkavagu basin.
The black cotton soils are polluted as they adsorb large amounts of hazardous
elements. Salt incrustations in the soils adjacent to Nakkavagu are common

Abstract
3
which effect the growth of flora. The mining of sand along Nakkavagu also
results in easy movement of pollutants further into new areas along Nakkavagu.
The high temperature conditions and evaporation rates resulted in increase of
concentration of the pollutants in the effluents. The problem of formation of
salt incrustations increases in areas with high temperature and less rainfall. And
also the residence time of pollutants would have been less in case of areas with
high rainfall, as the pollutants would be flushed out with the rainwater.
The gases such as methyl mercaptan released from industries in Nakkavagu
basin was detected recently in the heart of the city. This indicates that other
harmful gases also do reach the City, which would add up to the existing air
pollution problems. The use of several tonnes of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) such as like Benzene, Toluene etc. are also hazardous to the people.
Pollution in the region had drastically reduced the incidence of natural species
and are restricted to few pockets. The species such as prosopis juliflora is seen
in more numbers in all the highly polluted parts of the basin. Pollution also
affected the agricultural sector in parts of Nakkavagu basin.
There is no appreciable wild fauna in the region, as the percentage of forest
cover is very less. Many domestic animals were effected by diseases and many
died this led to direct economic losses to the farmers. Appearance of birds,
resident and migratory, is decreasing drastically. Aerial fauna got effected the
most due to pollution of water bodies such as streams and tanks. Manjira wild
life sanctuary an ecologically sensitive area is well within 25 to 30 kms of the
industrial area.
The socio-economic and cultural environment of Nakkavagu basin would get
effected the most covered in Patancheru, R.C.Puram, Jinnaram and Sangareddy
Mandals. Patancheru is less developed in comparison to R.C.Puram because of

Abstract
4
water pollution and obnoxious smell. Female ratio per 1000 males is less for
Patancheru and other three Mandals as bachelors immigrated from elsewhere,
for working in the industries at the cost of local population.
The villages considered as highly affected are located close to the industrial
areas and the polluted streams, are Ismailkhanpet, Arutla, Chidruppa, Bythole,
Eardanoor, Indrakaran, Lakdaram, Chinnakanjerla, Peddakanjerla, Sultanpur,
Krishnareddipet, Indresham, Inole, Bachuguda, Chitkul, Isnapur, Kardanoor,
Muttangi, Pocharam, Khazipalli and Bollaram. The percentage of rural
population is around 80 in most of these villages, which means not many
people are taken in jobs in spite of industrialisation. Only around 20% of the
population is literate that reduces the job opportunities. Around 20% of the
population being below 6 years of age are sensitive to pollution. As literacy and
the educated local population is small in comparison to the large number of
educated people in a city like Hyderabad which is located in the suburbs, local
people are getting less employment opportunities.
Many of the polluted villages in Nakkavagu basin have no safe drinking water
and in some villages inadequate water supply is available. The domestic animals
such as cattle and sheep, upon drinking the polluted waters either got effected
or died. Moreover, the crops grown in such a polluted environment could be
phyto-toxic. Therefore, the polluted water, air and food would have an adverse
impact on the lives of people and other life in Nakkavagu basin. The present
Public Health Centers and Veterinary services provided by Government are
inadequate.
Increase in the fallow lands and less percentage of net sown area in Patancheru,
Sangareddy, Jinnaram and R.C.Puram Mandals can be related to the
developmental activities and the pollution of environment by industries. Many

Abstract
5
farmers have shifted to dryland farming where the surface and groundwater
sources are polluted. Some of the farmers are leaving their fields fallow even up
to 20% as in case of Pocharam and Bachuguda villages.
In the south-east and southern part of the basin the irrigated crops are yielding
low and or the whole crop dyeing due to pollution of tanks and wells. The
pollution of water and soil has an adverse impact on the majority of local
population still dependent on agriculture especially would affect the majority of
marginal farmers.
Industrialisation did not help the local people in getting alternative
employment opportunities because of the more competitive people in
Hyderabad. Therefore, there is a large-scale migration of `skilled’ people into
this region. As the residential areas are located towards Hyderabad away from
the industrial area because of polluted environment in Patancheru area and
other disadvantages of services. As a result, the indirect employment
opportunities are less therefore the multiplier economic benefits are also less.
The relicts of cultural and other heritage sites existing in and around
Patancheru area were neglected due to industrialisation. Innumerable ancient
sculptures, engravings etc., found in the region have been abandoned and are
never taken care of nor reported to the Archaeology department.
The drainage system of Nakkavagu was altered through many centuries by the
interference of human activities, like the construction of tanks and channels etc.,
and also with the recent developmental activities especially in the south-eastern
quadrant of the basin. The drainage system is altered and obstructed, therefore
these kinds of activities will act against the free flow of pollutants, and hence
the residence time of pollutants in the basin increases.

Abstract
6
The presence of tanks such as Isnapur tank, Peddacheruvu, Saka cheruvu,
Krishnareddipet tank etc., in the south and south-eastern part of the basin
which receives highly polluted water are acting as solar evaporation ponds
thereby increasing the residence time of the pollutants in the basin.
Majority of the industries located in Nakkavagu basin are the bulk-drug or
pharmaceutical industries. Some of the chemical compounds which are used as
raw material in the production of drugs are Acetone, Acetyl chloride, Ammonia,
Aniline, Benzene, Bromine, Chlorine, Chlorosulphonic acid, Dimethylcaromyl,
Dioxane, Ethylene dichloride, Formaldehyde, Hexane, Hydrochloric acid, Maleic
anhydride, Methylene chloride, Nitrobenzene, Nitrogen dioxide, Nitrogen
oxides, Phenol, Phenyl glycidal ether, Sodium cyanide, Sulphuric acid, Thionyl
chloride, Toluene, Triethylamine etc. The use of tonnes of such chemicals in the
production is hazardous. In a case study of 10 such industries on an average
about 4.3 times of hazardous raw material is utilised for every unit of the
product produced. These industries are using organic and inorganic hazardous
chemicals release of such chemicals during the process are hazardous to the life
in Nakkavagu basin.
The two CETPs, which were established in Patancheru and Bollaram, to treat the
effluents of member industries, are in fact became major contributors for water
pollution in Nakkavagu basin. The effluents released by CETP-Patancheru are
toxic and hazardous, as the effluents are only partially treated. The sludge that
is derived as waste product in the treatment process of both the CETPs has no
place for secure disposal, which is again a potential source for water
contamination. Therefore, CETPs which are industries by themselves are the
major contributors of water pollution in Nakkavagu basin.

Abstract
7
In general, the quality of effluents in Nakkavagu are deteriorating as observed
over a period of time. TDS, TH, TSS, COD, BOD, SO4, Pb, Hg, As and Se are
found to be high in the samples collected from Nakkavagu, Pamulavagu and
CETP. CETP is releasing the effluents with high concentration of all the above
parameters and including Cd, Zn, Cu, B, Mn, Cr and Fe. These waters are not fit
for releasing into the inland surface waters.
TDS, COD, and BOD of the effluents of Nakkavagu are only partially reduced
over a distance of about 22kms. As the chances of dilution in Nakkavagu is less
as the rainfall in this region is about 80cms only. Therefore, Nakkavagu mainly
acts as an influent stream, which contaminates the groundwater on either side
of the stream.
Leachets from solid waste dumps enter into Nakkavagu stream. Salts from salt
incrustations in the soil and or other precipitates would directly or indirectly
reach Nakkavagu. Some of the pollutants may enter Nakkavagu by accident or
illegal release of effluents from `solar evaporation ponds’. Nowhere and at no
time of the year Nakkavagu is fit for irrigation right from Kardanoor village to
the confluence point at Gaudcherla (about 25 kms stretch).
Groundwater is polluted on either side of the Nakkavagu and the waters are not
useful for drinking. TDS, COD, BOD, Cl, and Hg are found to be high in the
groundwater samples collected at Pocharam, Ganapathiguda and Bachuguda
villages. Openwells, which are close to Nakkavagu, are highly contaminated in
comparison to the borewells. The pollutants also entering into the drinking
water sources of the following villages: Baithole, Baithole Tanda, Lakdaram,
Sultanpur, Inole, Chitkul, Arutla, Chidruppa, Ismailkhanpet, Peddakanjerla,
Kardanoor, Eardanoor and Eardanoor Tanda. Some of the pollutants such as F,
Mn could have been partially entered into borewells through deep fractures
and also the pollutants such as NO2 and NO3 could have been the result of use

Abstract
8
of nitrogen fertilisers by farmers. Overall the groundwater is contaminated, up
to a distance of 500 to 1000 meters on either side of Nakkavagu, from
Kardanoor to Ismailkhanpet.
Evaluation of the impacts with and without industries is done finally choosing
36 parameters. Parameter importance weights (PIW) were given were given to
represent the value of importance of each environmental parameter. In the
absence of industries too there ought to be changes in the environment, mainly
because of four factors: The growing population in Nakkavagu basin and
associated developmental activities like housing, road networks and other
services. The modernisation of agriculture (increasing use of chemical pesticides
and fertilisers). Influence of growing Hyderabad City and the expansion of the
city along NH-9 axis. Impact of NH-9, pollution by vehicles, increase in number
of vehicles, etc.
The impact assessment studies of this area indicate that there is considerable
adverse impact on the environment. There is a two-fold increase when
compared to the ratios to ‘No industries’. When viewed for ‘No industries’ it
would have retained 80% of the environment unaffected. Whereas with
industries, it is observed that the loss to the environment is to the extent of
60%. The differences show that there is a limited advantage for human interest.
Finally, the results produced using this modified methodology is an exercise to
quantify the environmental degradation. The results should be viewed seriously
otherwise the basin would further becomes unsuitable for any kind of activities.

Introduction
9
INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL
Water is an essential resource for the sustenance of life on earth. It is needed
for many human activities, including agriculture, domestic and industrial use,
transport and recreation. The pollution of water resources from industrial
sources is the point of concern. Earth is an eternal source of life-giving water
and therefore there is a need for protection of the water from pollution and
judicious use of the precious water resource.
The use of aquatic ecosystems as a sink for the effluvia of civilisation is by no
means new. Even in Greek mythology, one of the tasks of Hercules was to
cleanse the Augean stables within a single day. These stables contained a great
wealth of cattle and had never been cleansed. Hercules harnessed the River
Alpheus and ran it through the stables and washed them out quickly. Aristotle
noticed white filamentous threadlike organisms in polluted water 2,400 years
ago. We know these today as the sewage fungus complex. Imperial Rome in
Augustine times had a population over one million people. The high population
densities required some means of dealing with their domestic wastes; therefore
they developed very high degree of household water carriage system (Clapham
Jr. 1981). The classic example from Indian sub-continent is the sewerage system
developed about five thousand years ago, during the Harappa and Mohenjo-
Daro civilisations. These systems are prerequisite for the health and hygiene.
A concern for nature and natural resources and its management is not at all a
new concept for Indians. Admiration of nature and the urge to concern and
protect it has been part of our civilisation. India’s wealth of literature, scriptures
and folklore are replete with examples which show that our ancestors were
environmentally conscious and advocated concepts of sustained usage of
resources through many social customs, myths, taboos, traditions and religion.

Introduction
10
The rock edicts of emperor Asoka (273-232 BC) are probably the first ever
governmental directive towards environmental protection in recorded history.
But in spite of such an impressive beginning, the conservation movement in
India is less than two decades old. (Singh and Subramanian, 1990).
Until the Industrial Revolution population densities were low enough that the
traditional methods of composting, earth closets, and so on, were adequate to
solve most waste disposal problems. But so much waste was being generated in
industrial countries such as England by the eighteenth century that the old
methods simply could not keep up with the production. Garbage and
excrement accumulated in the streets, and industries that had grown up along
rivers to tap readily available power sources were dumping their by-products
into the same rivers. Early in the nineteenth-century sewers were introduced
into industrialised countries and quickly became the norm (Hynes, 1960; Tarr
and McMichael, 1977). The dumping of pollutants into the environment has
increased because of the intense industrial development to cater the demands
of the ever growing population.
The stress imposed upon the environment by civilisation becomes primarily
reflected in the water environment. The total water used per person is
increasing with the development of man. All uses of water result in an increase
of dissolved components, all used water, has to be disposed of somewhere, and
all disposed water reaches the existing water reservoirs, lakes, rivers,
groundwater and the ocean. Hence, and intrinsic part of water use is water
contamination, i.e. addition of components that were not there before (Mazor
E, 1991). Data on the behaviour of heavy metals and other inorganic and
organic pollutants in a water environment and their ultimate distribution is
important.

Introduction
11
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a structured and useful planning tool
to identify and evaluate the potential impacts (beneficial and adverse) of
developmental projects on the environmental system. It is a useful aid for
decision making based on an understanding of the environmental implications
including social, cultural and aesthetic concerns which could be integrated with
analysis of the project costs and benefits (Harjit et al. 1994). The government of
India through a notification on Environment Impact Assessment gazetted in
January 1994. Environment Impact Assessment of certain identified activities
whether the public or private sector has been made a statutory requirement.
Impact assessment originated with a desire for strong change in both
philosophy and the methodology of resource management. It is assumed that a
systematic, focussed, interdisciplinary use of science may improve the quality of
planning and decision-making (Caldwell, 1988). Environmental Impact
Assessment methodology is selected for the research work to assess the
multidimensional impacts of industrial pollutants especially from the effluents
released into Nakkavagu basin.
Water interacts with all other components of the ecosystem, i.e., geology, soils,
weather and climate, flora, and fauna. The pollution of water causes impact not
only on the above but also on the socio-economic and cultural environment.
Industries cause pollution of natural resources, through the indiscriminate
release of effluents. In one such case, effluents released by industries into the
environment in Nakkavagu basin devastated the environment of the basin.
Industrialisation had an adverse impact on the lives of people in Nakkavagu
basin.
Nakkavagu is a tributary of Manjira River, which drains the water of highly
industrialised zone of Patancheru area. The Manjira River finally joins with the
river Godavari.

Introduction
12
1.2 LOCATION AND EXTENT OF THE AREA
Patancheru the town and one of the main industrial areas is located 30 kms to
the north-west of Hyderabad, Capital City of Andhra Pradesh, on National
Highway No. 9 (NH-9). It lies around 78 0 15’ East longitude and 17 0 32’ North
latitude and it is part of Medak District in Andhra Pradesh. Patancheru industrial
area in this context implies Patancheru, Bollaram, Pashamylaram, Khazipalli,
Gaddapotharam, Bonthapalli and Chitkul industrial clusters, which are located in
and around Patancheru town and in Nakkavagu basin. Nakkavagu basin lies
between the longitudes 78 deg. 5 min. and 78 deg 25 min East and the
latitudes 17 deg 25 min and 17 deg 45 min North. The basin extends over 734
sq. kms area (Figure 1.1 (a) and 1.1 (b)). Nakkavagu basin is covered in
Patancheru, Ramachandrapuram, Jinnaram and Sangareddy Mandals of Medak
District and to a lesser extent in Rangareddy District (Figure 1.2), and found in
‘Survey of India’, toposheet numbers – 56K/2, 56K/3, 56K/6 and 56K/7.
Patancheru is easily accessible as it is located on one of the busy National
Highway’s (NH-9) and many bus services are available from Hyderabad and
Secunderabad.
1.3 INDUSTRIAL SCENARIO IN MEDAK DISTRICT
Andhra Pradesh with 173 most polluting industries stood fourth in India after,
Maharashtra (335), Uttar Pradesh (224) and Gujarat (177) (CII, 1996). In India
maximum amount of pollution comes from pharmaceutical and sugar
industries, Andhra Pradesh is the leading state in India in the production of
pharmaceutical products and majority of them are located in Medak District.
Medak District is one of the most industrialised districts in the country and has
the largest number of industries in the State (Figure 1.3 (a) and 1.3 (b)). The
type of industries includes bulk drugs, pesticides, pharmaceutical, plastics,
ceramics, boilers, industrial alloys, industrial chemicals, electronic goods and

Introduction
13
computers. There are 3905 small-scale industries and about 192 medium to
large-scale industries in the District (Chandra, 1997). Within the District,
Patancheru Mandal is having a maximum number of industries.
In Medak District, under the scheme of encouraging industries in backward
districts, Central Government gave 20% concession to units on electricity bills
and allowed changing their sales tax dues into loans. These were made interest
free for 10 years. This facility continued until December 1989. State Government
also introduced subsidies for promoting industries in the District. The Andhra
Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) had set up industrial
estates at Bonthapally, Bollaram and Patancheru.
Patancheru industrial area which includes Patancheru, Bollaram, Pashamylaram,
Khazipalli, Gaddapotharam, Bonthapalli and Chitkul industrial clusters, the
changes in physicochemical and biological properties of water brought about
by the release of effluents by those industries resulted in pollution of the water
environment. There are about 118 industries in Patancheru IDA and 110
industries in Bollaram IDA, which are working presently, in addition to other
satellite industries in Nakkavagu basin. There are two Common Effluent
Treatment Plants (CETPs) located in Nakkavagu basin at Patancheru and
Bollaram. The pollution in Nakkavagu basin is the sum result of the direct or
indirect contribution of all the industries located in Nakkavagu basin.
Among the industrial areas, one of the most important industrial areas in
Medak District is Patancheru Industrial Development Area (IDA). Starting from
Ramachandrapuram village boundary, opposite to International Crop Research
Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru industrial area spreads
over a vast stretch of land in and around Patancheru. Measuring about 56.176
acres, this industrial area is divided into 576 plots and was developed in five
phases. Many of the polluting industries are in the Phases I, II, and IV. Phases III

Introduction
14
and V house only non-polluting small-scale engineering industries. Now there
are about 300 industries in Patancheru and its surrounding Mandals
(Ramachandrapuram (R.C.Puram), Jinnaram and Sangareddy). Patancheru
industrial area development and related issues are given in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Landmark events of industrial development and related issues in
Patancheru.
1962 – Industrialisation started in Patancheru.
1974 – Creation of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
(APIIC).
1975 – Patancheru industrial estate established.
1976 – Acceleration of the growth of the industries.
1980 – Indira Gandhi wins MP seat from Medak constituency and became
Prime Minister, encouraged the industrial development in this
constituency (Patancheru, Ramachandrapuram, Narsapur,
Gummadidala and Sadashivapet.)
1983-84 – The impact of pollution on the local residents noticed, as reported
largely in press.
1986 – An incident led to agitation against industrial pollution – A 75-
year-old man’s legs got burnt when he accidentally stepped into
the chemicals dumped along the roadside. The subsequent
incidents are: On 10th June and 16th July – people protested
through hunger strikes, on 16th of August- A Public rally was
organised - for seeking immediate redress of the grievance, on
21st August-road blocking or ‘Rasta Roko’ was organised at
Patancheru on NH-9 to highlight the gravity of the problem of
pollution – State cabinet passed a resolution to alleviate the
problem of farmers.

Introduction
15
1987 – 12th September- another road blocking or ‘Rasta Roko’ agitation
took place in which 10,000 farmers participated to protest against
pollution by industries in Patancheru.
1991 – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
submitted a report to Supreme Court and recommended about
32.2 crores as compensation to the suffering farmers.
1993 – ‘Scientific evaluation of pollution around Patancheru and Bollaram
industrial areas’, a report published by DDS (an NGO), Hyderabad.
1994 – Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), started functioning.
1996 – State government declares a ban on new industries in the region.
1998 – ‘Effluent Management in Nakkavagu drainage Basin’, CPCB, report
on pollution.

Introduction
16
Photo1.1: Polluted waters of Nakkavagu at N.H.9, Bridge near Patancheru
Photo1.2: Discussions with Villagers of Ganapathiguda

Introduction
17
Figure 1.1 Location Map of Nakkavagu Basin

Introduction
19
Figure 1.3 Political and Culture map of Nakkavagu basin and its surroundings

Introduction
20
Figure 1.4 Industrial Map of Medak District, A.P.

Introduction
22
1.4 BACKGROUND
Environmental problems in the area forced the Government, Non-
Governmental Institutions, and individuals to carry out studies on various
aspects of pollution for the past more than two decades. Many articles were
published in various newspapers and non-scientific magazines till now. As per
the directions of the judiciary, some reports were produced and submitted from
time to time, based on cases filed for relief from environmental pollution by
farmers and environmental action groups. Some of the most important studies
are discussed below.
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur,
prepared a report titled - ‘Report on Environmental Pollution caused by
Patancheru and Bollaram industrial estates in nearby villages of Medak District,
Andhra Pradesh’, (1991), based on studies and observations of five scientists.
This report concentrated mainly on human health and mortality, and their
economic losses due to crop failures and death of domestic animals (cattle,
sheep, etc.,) due to industrial pollution (NEERI report, 1991).
‘Scientific evaluation of pollution around Patancheru and Bollaram industrial
areas’, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (Biksham, Shiva Kumar and Mohan
Reddy, Deccan Development Society (DDS) report, 1993). This report covered
all the major and traced elemental concentrations in the water environment of
parts of Nakkavagu basin. Data evaluation is done using statistical techniques;
the mobility of elements in the hydrogeological system is presented in contour
diagrams. It also covered the social aspects.
Honourable Mr. Justice J. Jeevan Reddy, while disposing of writ petitions,
appointed a Committee of Experts comprising, Prof. O.S. Reddy, Retired
Professor, Osmania University, Shri P. Ramayya Naidu, Retired Chief Engineer

Introduction
23
(PH) and former Member Secretary, APPCB, and Prof. N. Sreeramulu of JNTU.
They have visited fifteen industries in Patancheru to verify whether the modified
directions given by the Government of Andhra Pradesh are complied with or
not in respect of each of them (O.S.Reddy Committee report, 1990).
Report of Shri D. Appa Rao, District Judge, Medak at Sangareddy, Andhra
Pradesh, submitted a report to the Supreme Court of India pursuant to the
direction in I.A.2 in WP (Civil) no. 1056 of 1990 (Appa Rao D. report, 1996).
Sri P. Lakshma Reddy, District Judge, Medak District, at Sangareddy, submitted
a report to the Supreme Court of India (Lakshma Reddy report, 1996).
A group of scientists from CPCB prepared a comprehensive report on effluent
management in Nakkavagu drainage basin in four phases and submitted it to
the Supreme Court of India (CPCB report, 1998).
It is reported that some of the industries mainly release arsenic through their
untreated industrial effluents at Common Effluent Treatment Plant. The
discharge from CETP shows very high values of Arsenic, which is directly
released in Peddavagu (Isukavagu), joining the Nakkavagu, and finally, meets
Manjira River. (Govil et al 1998).
1.5 SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
Patancheru industrial area in this context is defined as all those industries
located in Nakkavagu basin covering mainly Patancheru and other Mandals
(R.C.Puram, Jinnaram, and Sangareddy), that are letting their effluents directly
or indirectly into the Nakkavagu basin. Present research work mainly assesses
the impact of polluted waters from industries on Nakkavagu basin area, based
on Environmental Impact Assessment studies of the polluted waters of
Patancheru industrial area (Figure 1.4).

Introduction
24
This research work is predominantly based on the principles of Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) and to some extent confirms to the broad principles of
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
The present environmental situation is the result of the activity of existing
industries and also of those that were closed. Studies of some of the industries
were considered which use the hazardous raw material in the production, as it
is not possible to evaluate the impact of pollution caused by each industry.
All the existing parameters to assess environmental impact, physical, biological,
socio-economic and cultural and water environments were considered for the
Nakkavagu basin area, which gives an insight into the present carrying capacity
of Nakkavagu basin (i.e. the sustainable development of the region). The
present research work is an integrated approach to assess the impact of water
pollution and to some extent other kinds of pollution on Nakkavagu basin.

Introduction
25
Figure 1.6 Industrial Development in Nakkavagu basin and integrated view of
research

Introduction
26
This kind of assessment might help in taking a decision for further
industrialisation, or closure of some of the most polluting industries, to curtail
the further deterioration of the Nakkavagu basin environment.
1.6 METHODOLOGY
Research work was done between August 1995 and August 1998, covering
various parts of Nakkavagu basin. This study included literature survey,
reconnaissance survey, secondary data collection, informal discussions, and
fieldwork, involving geology, soils, tanks and bio-diversity, and collection of
water samples for analysis, and interpretation.
Physical, chemical and biological nature of the environment was assessed
through primary and secondary sources of information. It includes water
sample collection during Pre-Monsoon or Summer (S-Data), Monsoon or Rainy
(R-Data) and Post-Monsoon or Winter (W-Data) periods for studying various
aspects of chemical pollution in surface and groundwater samples
The sample locations were selected in three phases according to their
importance. These selected locations are useful in the characterisation of the
surface water and groundwater pollution of Nakkavagu basin. Among the
sample locations selected in three phases except for few locations, all other
locations are discrete.
A reconnaissance survey was followed by extensive and intensive fieldwork.
During the fieldwork, water samples were collected from Nakkavagu and its
tributaries and dug wells and borewells. General water quality parameters are
analysed as per the standards of American Public Health Association (APHA),
American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Pollution Control
Federation (APCF). Trace metals are estimated by ICP-MS (Jopiom Yvon 24
(JY24) model) using 18mega-ohm conductance water as an internal standard.

Introduction
27
The fieldwork includes the study of streams and tanks, and their ecology,
geology, soils, and topography of the basin, including cropping pattern and
bio-diversity of the region.
The primary and secondary water sample analysis data is subjected to
multivariate data analysis was processed using the software ‘SYSTAT for
Windows, 1995’. Basic statistical data such as minimum value, maximum value,
range, median, mean and standard deviation, etc. were also generated using
the same software.
A Pearson correlation of zero indicates that neither of two variables can be
predicted from the other by using a linear equation. A Pearson correlation of
+1 indicates that one variable can be predicted perfectly by a positive linear
function of sample analysis data, between the sample cases gives the
relationship between the sample locations with a similar degree of pollution
and the dendrogram between the elements gives a degree of association of
elements in their occurrence. Factor analysis provides principal component
analysis (maximum likelihood and iterand principal axis). Factor analysis data
includes Eigen values, Component loadings, Variance explained by components
and Percentage of total Variance. The analysis data between factors is
presented in Factor Loadings Plot and between Number of Factors and
Eigenvalue is presented as Scree Plot. Factor analysis helps in identifying the
groups of elements from common sources.
To characterise the pollution of Nakkavagu basin, primary and secondary data
is used. Sample analysis data pertaining to summer, rainy and winter seasons
are utilised. In the month of May, seventeen samples were collected from
Nakkavagu stream, Pamulavagu Isukavagu, dug well, bore wells, and effluents
of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). A total of nineteen samples were

Introduction
28
collected in August, 1997, with the team of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control
Board, from Nakkavagu, Manjira River, Nizamsagar, Godavari River and other
three tanks. Analysis of data from nineteen samples presented subsequently in
the report is used for rainy season period. Analysis of water samples from tanks,
Nakkavagu and Isukavagu streams and Manjira River, and flow studies of
Nakkavagu and quality of water in tanks was done during January 1998. This
study was done with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) team, New Delhi.
Data generated by the study, which was included in the report ‘Effluent
Management in Nakkavagu Drainage Basin’, (CPCB, 1998), was considered for
the winter period.
For a comprehensive evaluation of pollution in Nakkavagu basin, other primary
data was also considered. Data of Panchayat Raj Internal Water Quality
Monitoring Laboratory, Uppal, Hyderabad, of forty-one groundwater samples
collected in 1991, and of about twenty-six groundwater samples collected by
Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) in the year 1991. Although the
data is seven years old, the analysis data of groundwater samples was
considered because of their extensive coverage of the Nakkavagu basin area
that helps in identifying the movement of pollutants in the ground. All the data
is subjected to environmental data analysis. Secondary information from the
recent works and papers published on Nakkavagu basin area is also considered.
The following types of methods have been used to perform the tasks of impact
identification and summarisation:
Descriptive methods have been used based on the facts and information
collected during discussions with local people and from secondary sources.

Introduction
29
To explain the complex nature of the pollutants and the relations between
various factors simple and three-dimensional figures are used. The data is
processed, simplified and presented in appropriate graphs.
Network diagrams are also used which link secondary and tertiary impacts to
primary impacts; networks are directional diagrams designed to trace in two
dimensions the higher-order linkages between project actions and
environmental factors.
Finally, checklist developed by the Environmental Evaluation System (EES) at the
Batelle Columbus Laboratories, USA (Dee et al, 1973) is used with some
modifications, for final evaluation of impacts with and without industries. In this
assessment, 36 parameters are selected (Figure 1.5). Parameter importance
weights (PIW) represent the value of importance of each environmental
parameter. The weights have been given to the 36 environmental parameters
based on the degree of the impact caused by the establishment of industries
and associated developmental activities over the last 40 years (industrialisation
started in Nakkavagu basin about 40 years back). Similarly, the weights were
given assessing the degree of alteration of environmental parameters that
would have happened over the last 40 years, even without industries in
Nakkavagu basin.

Introduction
30
Figure 1.7 Assigned weights for environmental parameters

Introduction
31
Parameter importance weights (PIW) are given to each of the 36 selected
parameters. The total weight of the parameters is assumed as 1000 points. They
are broadly classified into four categories namely, Ecology, Environmental
Pollution, Aesthetics and Human interest. The weights are initially distributed to
the four basic parameters, according to their importance. Most important -
environmental pollution is given a value of 1 and next Human interest and
Ecology are considered as half-important in comparison to environmental
pollution so they take the value 0.5 each. Aesthetics are considered as only
one-fourth important, that as compared to environmental pollution, therefore
aesthetics takes the value of 0.25. Total weight being 1000 points; accordingly,
they take values as such 444.44, 222.22, 222.22 and 111.11. The values are
rounded to 450, 250, 200 and 100. Human interest is considered more
important than ecology, so human interest is rounded to a higher value (250)
and so the ecology to a lower value (200). These weights are distributed to the
parameters under each sub-class as per personal judgement and upon similar
lines as above, depending upon their importance.

Physical Environment
32
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter is aimed to study the impact of pollution by the industries in and
around Patancheru upon the physical environment of Nakkavagu basin. The
physical environment plays a major role in the mobilisation, dispersion, dilution
or concentration of the pollutants in the environment. Physical environment
studies help in understanding the present status of pollution and also the
carrying capacities of the study area on pollution. The geology, topography,
drainage basin, water bodies, soils, climate, meteorology and air quality are the
parameters considered in this chapter for describing the physical environment
of Nakkavagu basin.
2.2 GEOLOGY
The geology of the area plays a major role in the mobility and concentration of
pollutants released into the environment. The composition and the type of
rocks (Igneous or Sedimentary or Metamorphic) and the structures in them
such as joints, fractures, fissures, etc. are important in understanding the
behaviour of pollutants.
In the Nakkavagu basin and the surrounding areas, the Archaean Peninsular
granites and gneisses form the basement, which is overlaid by the Deccan
basalt, is the basic geology of the area (Table 2.1).

33
Table 2.1 The Geological Succession
Age Description
1
2
3
Sub-recent to recent
Upper Cretaceous to
Lower Eocene
Archaean
Alluvium, Colluvium, Laterites and Basalts.
Deccan Traps, Laterites, and Basalts.
Peninsular Gneissic Complex, diorite, coarse-
grained granite with dolerite dyke intrusions.
The grey and pink granite outcrops are seen around Patancheru, on the western
and south-western parts, they are overlaid by isolated cappings of basalt and
laterite. Dyke outcrops are not seen along the Nakkavagu stream, although
dolerite dykes and quartz veins are observed in adjacent areas, because of thick
alluvium deposited along the stream. The flood plains of the streams are
occupied by recent and older alluvium, mainly consisting of sand silt and clay in
different proportions and thickness varying from 25 to 30 feet. The lateral
extent of alluvium along Nakkavagu is about 250 to 500 meters. Alluvium is
mainly found along Nakkavagu near these villages; they are Pocharam,
Ganapathigudem, Bachuguda, Arutla, Peddakanjerla and Inole. Black cotton
soils derived from the basalt occupy the lower reaches, mainly to the western
and north-western parts of Patancheru. The percentage of outcrop exposure is
less around Patancheru and at higher contour levels granite outcrops are
exposed in the form of kopjes, tors and sheet rocks.
The outcrops are largely exposed to the north-western parts of Patancheru
which are studied in detail by Sarvotham and Leelanandam (1987), reveals the
nature of Peninsular granite and gneisses and other lithological units. The
Peninsular granites and gneisses studied in this region is classified as
granodiorite, granite, adamellite (quartz-monzonite), monzodiorite and alkali
feldspar granite, which are emplaced as discrete plutons; they form part of a
composite batholith and contain inclusions of tonalite quartz-diorite and

34
amphibolite. Alkali feldspar granite intrudes and truncates all the above litho-
units, and represents the youngest of the granitic emplacements. A swarm of
dolerite and gabbro dykes intruding into the granites and gneisses. At least two
sets of dykes are discernable; one set is pre-alkali feldspar granite and the other
of post- alkali feldspar granite ages. The older set of dykes are metamorphosed
and intruded by alkali feldspar granite veins, while the younger dykes are
unaffected. (Sarvotham and Leelanandam, 1987). Petrographic and
petrochemical studies indicate that the Medak area (along with the adjoining
terrain) is dominated by potassic granites, (Bhaskar Rao et al., 1983; Naqvi et al.,
1983).
The structures have a control on the local topography and hydrogeology of the
area. Fractures and joints in granites are responsible for the formation of
massive boulders and other geomorphic structures such as tors. The width of
the joints varies, at places, they are 1 to 2 meters wide. The joints filled with the
weathered material are important, as they are good aquifers. These granitoids
show a prominent two to three sets of joints in NNW-SSE, N-S, and NE-SW
directions. The lineaments of the region are in NNE-SSW, NE-SW, and NW-SE
directions mainly and very few are in E-W and N-S directions, which are
represented by the flow of streams and the dykes and shear zones. The quartz
reefs have the trend of NNE-SSW, NE-SW, N-S and a few are in the E-W
directions. Dolerite dykes are emplaced in the trend of NW-SE, NE-SW, E-W and
N-S. Gabbro intrusions show the trend of NE-SW and E-W. Pyroxenes have the
trend of - NNE-SSW and NE-SW.

35
Photo2.1: Granite outcrops in Nakkavagu stream-bed near Bachuguda
Photo2.2: Recent sand and gravel deposited along the banks of Nakkavagu
near Bachuguda
Photo2.3: Black cotton soil on the floodplain of Nakkavagu near Chitkul
Showing typical wedge-like cracks

36
2.3 TOPOGRAPHY
The topography of an area also influences the drainage system and the
groundwater movement. The Nakkavagu basin forms a peneplain surface of the
ancient Deccan Peninsula that had undergone several cycles of erosion,
deposition, and upliftment. Sporadic granitic tors, kopjes, and sheets of bedrock
are seen in the region. The lands are rolling plains interspersed with stony
wastes and open scrubs. Isukavagu, Pamulavagu and Nakkavagu mainly drain
the basin. The slope is from east to west up to Nakkavagu and it is south to
north and north-west up to Manjira river. The land has a slope of 0.5
percentage. The relief of the basin is about 140 meters. The lowest contour is
500 meters above mean sea level (msl) lies near Gaudcherla at the confluence
point with Manjira River. The highest contour passing through the Nakkavagu
basin is 640 meters above mean sea level. The highest point 648 meters above
mean sea level lies to the North of Gumadidala village, located to the eastern
part of Nakkavagu basin.
2.4 SOILS
Table 2.2 The soils (Source: EIA report on the proposed Thermal power
plant by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Shankarpalli, M/s
Kirloskar Consultants Limited, Pune, 1996-97)
S.No. Type of series Description
1 Lingampalli
series
Soils are members of fine loamy mixed inohyperthermic
family of Lithic Rhodustalfs.
Typifying Pedon: Lingampally sandy loam-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on gently undulating gneiss pediments in the
region of domes and tors.
Drainage: well drained with moderately rapid permeability.
Use and Vegetation: Cultivated to sorghum.
Distribution: extensive soil.

37
2 Manmool series Soils are of fine, mixed isoperthermic family of fluventic
Ustropepts.
Typifying pedon: Manmool sand clay-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on low lands covered with weathered basalt.
Drainage: Poorly drained with poor to very.
Permeability: Poor permeability.
Use and Vegetation: mainly cultivated to rice.
Distribution and extent: Limited in extent.
3 Patancheru
series
Soils are members of clayey-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic
family of Udic Rhodustalfs.
Typifying pedon: Patancheru sandy loams culturable fallow.
Setting: Occurs on gently sloping pediment of coarse-grained
granite-gneiss basement complex.
Drainage: Well drained.
Permeability: Moderate.
Use and Vegetation: Mainly cultivated to sorghum and
pulses.
Distribution: Extensive soil.
4. Rudravaram
series
Soils are members of fine-loamy, mixed, inohyperthermic
family of udic ustropepts.
Typifying pedon: Rudravaram sandy clay-cultivated.
Setting: Low-lying level to very gently sloping pediment
covered by Basaltic outwash.
Drainage: Moderately well drained.
Permeability: Moderate.
Use and Vegetation: Mainly cultivated to rice.
Distribution: Extensive soil.

38
5 Lakdaram series Soils are members of fine loamy mixed, isohyperthermic
family of Udic Haplustafts.
Typifying pedon: Lakdaram sandy clay loam-cultivated.
Setting Occurs on the granite-gneiss complex.
Permeability: moderate permeability.
Use and Vegetation: Mainly cultivated to sorghum and
sunflower - natural vegetation.
Distribution: Limited in extent.
6 Jolkal series Soils are members of very fine, montmorillonite,
isohyperthermic family of typic Chromusterts.
Typifying pedon: Jolkal silty clay-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on the lower basalt pediment in conjunction
with gently sloping weathered granite gneiss basement
complex.
Permeability: Slow permeability.
7 Isnapuram
series
Soils are members of the fine-loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic
family of udic Rhodustalfs.
Typifying pedon: Isnapuram sand-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on gently sloping pediment of granite-gneiss
basement complex.
Drainage: Well-drained
Permeability: Moderate
Use & Vegetation: Mainly cultivated to sorghum and pulses.
Distribution: Extensive soil
8 Icri series Soils are members of the fine, montmorillonite,
isohyperthermic family of paralithic Vertic Ustropepts.
Typifying pedon: Icri gravelly clay – grassland.
Setting: Occurs on weathered basalt over granite-gneiss
pediment surface.
Drainage: Moderately well drained
Permeability: Slow permeability.
Use and Vegetation: Grassland

39
9 Kasireddipalli
series
Soils are members of very fine, montmorillonitic,
isohyperthermic family of Typic Pellusterts.
Typifying pedon: Kashireddipalli clay-cultivated fallow.
Setting: Occurs in valleys and troughs.
Drainage: Moderately to imperfectly drained.
Permeability: Slow to very slow permeability.
Use and Vegetation: Cultivated to chickpea, pigeonpea,
sorghum and sunflower, natural vegetation.
Distribution and extent: Extensive soil.
10 Yamakunta
series
Soils are members of fine, montmorillonitic, isohyperthermic
family of Vertic Halaquepta.
Typifying pedon: Yamakunta clay fallow.
Setting: Occurs in filled valley.
Drainage: Imperfectly drained.
Permeability: Very slow permeability.
Use and Vegetation: Lying fallow due to frequent inundation,
strong salinity, and alkalinity.
11 Singapur series Soils are members of fine, montmorillionitic, isohyperthermic
family of paralithic Vertic Ustropepts.
Typifying pedon: Singapur clay-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on nearly level basalt plateau and basalt
pediment.
Permeability: Moderate permeability.
Use and vegetation: Mainly cultivated to pulses, sorghum and
sunflower.

40
12 Shankarpalli
series
Soils are members of fine-loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic
family of Udic Ustrothents.
Typifying pedon: Shankarpalli clay-cultivated.
Setting: Occurs on very gently sloping plateau and basalt
pediment.
Permeability: Moderately slow permeability.
Use and Vegetation: mainly cultivated to pulses.
13 Pamulavagu
series
Soils are members of mixed, isohyperthermic family of typic
ustipsamments.
Typifying Pedon: Pamulavagu sand-fallow
Setting: Floodplain
Drainage: Extensively well drained
Permeability: Rapid
Use and Vegetation: Fallow land with local grasses.
Distribution: Narrow patches along stream.
14 Nakkavagu
series
Soils are members of coarse-loamy, mined, isohyperthermic
family of typic Ucstifluvents.
Typifying pedon: Nakkavagu gravelly sand-fallow
Setting: Floodplain
Drainage: Well-drained
Permeability: Moderately and Moderately Permeability
Use & Vegetation: Fallow land with local grasses.
Distribution & extent: Narrow patches along stream.
Source: ICRISAT, Medak District.
To sum up, Nakkavagu basin has rich, diverse and fertile soils (Figure 2.2 and
Table 2.2). The black soils comprising of clay loam’s, clays and silty clays are
found in the low-lying areas and along river-banks. Alluvial black cotton soils
are found along most stream flood plains, while secondary black cotton soils
are present in the upland areas in basaltic terrain. The upland areas mainly
comprise of red soils, loamy sands, and sandy clay loams. The soils in
Sangareddy, Patancheru and Ramachandrapuram mandals of Medak mainly

41
comprises of clayey loams, clays, and silty clay. They are moderate to well
drained and are suitable for cultivation by irrigation.
Black cotton soils are locally known as ‘Regadi matti’. These types of soils
develop deep wedge-shaped open cracks, helps in tapping the atmospheric
nitrogen too. They have the moisture retaining capacity and are best suitable
for dry land farming. Black cotton soils are inherently more fertile then red soils.
Black soils are slightly saline to alkaline, whereas red soils are neutral. Black
cotton soils are suitable for crops like cotton, rice, sugarcane, and other Kharif
and Rabi crops. Red soils are suitable for horticultural crops. Alluvium is mainly
suitable for paddy.

42
Figure 2.1 Soils and Geology of Nakkavagu Basin and its Surroundings

43
Salts dissolved and deposited in the valleys will increase soluble salt content in
the soils in low-lying areas. Soils are slightly calcareous in areas immediately
adjacent to Nakkavagu and more calcareous in the upper reaches of the soil
profile, forming salt incrustations. Saline soils lead to relatively poor
germination and leads to physiological drought, thereby effecting the growth
of the plants. The industrial effluents caused phytotoxicity to the crops and also
total crop failures. The analysis data of the soils along Nakkavagu are presented
in Table 2.3.
Table 2.3 Soil analysis of the fields along Nakkavagu area.
S.No. Village Survey
No.
pH EC Organic
Carbon
Available
P205
Available K20
micromhos /
cm
Kgs / hect. Kgs / hect.
1 Bachuguda 265 8.24 0.13 low 6 314
2 Bachuguda 113 8.34 0.14 low 3 258
3 Inole 318 7.8 0.11 low 1 272
4 Pedda Kanjerla 403 7.75 5.2 high 4 >336
5 Pedda Kanjerla 403 8 6.5 high 4 >336
8 Inole 109 7.7 2.14 high 1 >336
9 Ganapathiguda 109 7.7 7.34 medium 14 >336
10 Ganapathiguda 109 7.6 4.78 high 13 >336
11 Chitkul 8.35 0.16 medium 5 >336
12 Baithole 202 8.2 2.25 low 6 >336
13 Chidruppa 449 8.5 0.41 medium 1 >336
14 Arutla 278 8.1 0.3 medium 5 >336
Source: Agriculture department, Sangareddy (1989).

44
Photo 2.4: Salt incrustation as seen in soil profile near Bachuguda
Photo 2.5: Patch of salt incrustation in soil along the banks of Nakkavagu near
Bachuguda

45
Ranges of soil reaction to pH
S.No. Rating Light soils Heavy soils
1 Acidic Up to 6.00 Up to 6.00
2 Normal above 6 to 7.6 6 to 7.6
3 Weakly alkaline 7.7 to 8 7.7 to 8.5
4 Tending to become Alkaline above 8 to 8.5 8.5 to 9
5 Alkali more than 8.5 more than 9
Ranges of soil reaction to Electrical Conductivity (in micromhos / cm)
S.No Rating Sandy Loamy Clayey
1 Normal up to 1 up to 1.5 up to 2.00
2 Critical for germination above 1 to 2 above 1.5 to 8 above 2 to 4
3 Critical for growth
of salt sensitive crops
above 2
to 3
above 3
to 4.5
above 4
to 6
4 Injurious to most crops above 3 above 4.5 above 6
2.5 CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY
The meteorological data is important in interpreting the air quality and
dispersion pattern of pollution. Analysis of recorded historical meteorological
data is important in predicting the likely climatic scenario of the region. The
climate of the region is broadly divided into four seasons.
 Pre-monsoon season: March to Mid of June
 Monsoon season: Mid of June to end of September
 Post-monsoon season: October to Mid December
 Winter season: Mid of December to end of February
The data is obtained from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a
meteorological station located at Begumpet 25 kilometers to the east of
Patancheru. It is equipped to observe Pressure, Temperature, relative humidity,
rainfall, evaporation, wind speed and direction, duration of cloud cover, etc. It is

46
in operation since 1891. The synthesized data is about the period between 1985
and 1994. Rainfall data, for the study area, was collected from local recording
stations at Patancheru, Jinnaram and Ramachandrapuram Mandals, rainfall and
temperature data of Sangareddy Mandal was also collected.
2.5.1 Temperature
Temperature conditions of the region has an influence on the movement of air,
precipitation, formation of fog, evaporation rate, atmospheric pressure, etc.,
therefore temperature influences directly or indirectly the dispersion,
concentration or dilution of pollutants released into the environment.
The data presented was recorded at Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
at Hyderabad, this is the nearest meteorological recording station. January is
the coldest season with the mean daily minimum temperature at 10.3 0
C.
Between March and May is the hottest season with increasing day and night
temperatures till the onset of Monsoon. The highest pre-monsoon (May) mean
maximum temperature is observed at 43.9 0
C and mean minimum temperature
observed is 20.3 0
C. Onset of monsoon results in sudden drop in mean
maximum temperature, for June it is 39.9 0
C. During post-monsoon season
there is slight increase in mean maximum temperature and it is 36.3 0
C in
October. The climate appears enervating during the daytime, with relative
moisture being high. An appreciable drop in minimum temperatures are
observed in nights during the post-monsoon season between 10.9 0
C and 14.5
0
C compared to temperatures during monsoon season 19.6 0
C and 20.3 0
C.
Average monthly maximum and minimum temperature recordings at
Sangareddy (1991-94) are presented in Figure 2.3.

47
Figure 2.2 Maximum and Minimum Temperature at Sangareddy (1991-1994)
2.5.2 Evaporation
The concentration of the pollutants in the effluents increases with increase in
evaporation rate. The concentrated effluents are more toxic then diluted
effluents. In the tropical areas, one of the extensively used methods of
treatment of effluents is by letting of effluents into solar - evaporation ponds,
where the water gets evaporated under intense tropical sunlight, leaving
behind sludge which is dried and disposed of in the secure landfill sites. Such a
treatment process is effective where evaporation rates are high. The
evaporation rate also depends on the solar radiation, cloud cover, the wind, etc.
Evaporation rate increases from February through June. A steep fall in
evaporation rate is observed during the first half of south-west monsoon
season. Maximum evaporation rate is observed in May at 16.2 mm with the
minimum occurring in November at 7.6 mm. Evaporation rate does not change
much in all other seasons.
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES AT
SANGAREDDY (1991- 1994)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
MONTHS FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER
TEMPERATUREINCENTIGRADE
MAXIMUM
MINIMUM

48
The total solar radiation levels direct and diffuse are between 15.2 MJm-2
day-1
and 24.3 MJm-2
day-1
. Minimum radiation levels are recorded in the month of
July and Maximum levels recorded in the month of May.
During winter season clear bright weather prevails with clear to lightly clouded
skies. During the onset of south-west monsoon, sky appears moderately to
heavily clouded.
2.5.3 Rainfall
Dilution is a major factor in lessening the adverse impacts of pollution.
Precipitation is one of the natural diluting factors of the polluted waters. The
problems of salt incrustations in the soils would not exist in areas with heavy
rainfall. The residence time of the pollutants in a basin would be less with heavy
rainfall.
The average annual rainfall for the 10years period is 802.8 mm as recorded at
IMD, Hyderabad. About 85 % of the rainfall is received during south-west
monsoon season. Maximum rainy days occur in the month of July.
The seasonal and annual rainfall for Patancheru, Ramachandrapuram, Jinnaram
and Sangareddy Mandals and also Medak District average rainfall is presented
in Figure 2.4. District average rainfall from 1981-82 to 1993-94 and actual and
normal rainfall season wise for the year 1993-94 is presented in Figure 2.5 (a) &
(b).
2.5.4 Wind Speed and Direction
Wind speed and direction are very much important in the case of air pollution
studies and its impact on the residential population around the industrial areas.
High-speed winds disperse suspended particulate matter and other pollutants
to far off places, thereby lessening the pollution in the immediate surroundings.

49
Light to moderate winds prevail throughout the year, during early monsoon
slightly stronger winds are observed. Seasonal and annual wind directions are
presented in Figures 2.6 - (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e). Pre-monsoon winds travel north-
west in the mornings, reversal of the wind takes places in the evenings, and
they travel in the south-east direction (Figure 2.6). These winds in the peak of
summer carrying dust and polluted gases are a threat to the residents of
Hyderabad, which is located to the south-east of Patancheru. Monsoon winds
are predominantly in the west and west-north-west direction at 0830 and 1730
hours (Figure 2.7). The post-monsoon winds travel between north and east
directions (Figure 2.8). Winter winds mainly move in the eastern and south-
eastern directions and in the northern direction for few days especially in the
mornings (Figure 2.9). The annual wind patterns at 0830 hours recordings are in
between west and north-west direction and also in the northern direction, 1730
hours recordings are in eastern, western and northern directions (Figure 2.10).
The winds in the southern and south-western directions are rare. Wind speeds
are presented in Table 2.4.
To the south-east quadrant of Patancheru Hyderabad is located. The other
three quadrants have rural population. Overall the people residing in the south-
western quadrant of Patancheru are safe from air pollution.

50
Figure 2.3 District average rainfall year wise (in mm) from 1981-1982 to 1993-
1994

51
Figure 2.4

52
Figure 2.5

53
Figure 2.6

54
Figure 2.7

55
Figure 2.8

56
Table 2.4 Most probable wind speed class.
Wind speed
(km/h)
Seasons
Annual Pre-monsoon Monsoon Post-monsoon Winter
Data recorded at IMD Hyderabad Airport (0830 hrs)
0.00-1.6 0.42 0.22 0.17 1.00 0.57
1.61-5.0 40.29 36.15 10.99 71.31 63.56
5.01-10 33.32 50.66 23.88 22.89 35.53
10.01-15.0 16.18 10.33 38.60 3.15 0.34
>15.01 9.79 2.64 26.36 1.66 0.00
Data recorded at IMD Hyderabad Airport (1730 hrs)
0.00-1.6 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1.61-5.0 4.16 5.40 0.91 4.16 7.31
5.01-10 44.99 57.38 11.27 54.24 71.88
10.01-15 23.50 25.77 18.48 35.44 19.91
>15.01 27.35 11.45 69.35 6.16 0.90
Source: IMD, Hyderabad
2.6 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
As man consumes more air in a day then the quantity of water and food, and
unlike water and food he has little choice regarding the quality of air he
breaths. The quality of air is important to all the living things on earth.
The air quality data of various locations in and around Patancheru town and
Bonthapally areas are presented in Table 2.5 and average air quality data
recorded for three months period recorded at Patancheru and Lakdaram are
presented in Table 2.6. The Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is high in
Patancheru beyond the permissible limit of CPCB; this could be the resultant
effect of industries and the movement of vehicles on the busiest National
Highway-9. SO2 and NOX values are well within limits at all locations prescribed
by CPCB. Patancheru is showing the relatively higher concentration of all the
parameters. Carbondioxide and other gases released by the vehicular

57
movement and the industrial activity may contribute for acid rains and smog in
the area.
Table 2.5 Ambient air quality (random)
Near NH9 bridge over Nakkavagu, Patancheru
Mandal
Date: 18-11-97 Time: 12pm to 6pm
Near Pocharam Junction at NH-9
Date: 11-11-97 Day time 6 hours
Sample1 Sample 2 Average Sample 1 Sample 2 Average
SPM(200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
229
38
26
364
59
78
296.5
48.5
52
SPM
(200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
398
15
16
286
10
19
342
12.5
17.5
Near Kardanoor Village, Patancheru Mandal
Isnapur, Patancheru Mandal
Sample1 Sample 2 Average Sample 1 Sample 2 Average
SPM(200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
386
18
22
223
12
17
304.5
15
19.5
SPM
(200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
342
23
26
253
21
36
297.5
22
31
Near petrol pump, Patancheru
Bonthapally, Jinnaram Mandal
Date: 5-1-98 Time: 11am to 5pm
Sample1 Sample 1 Sample 2 Average
SPM(200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
256
11
16
SPM (200)
SO2 (80)
NOX (80)
223
31
26
196
49
18
210
40
22
Note: Units in microgram per cubic meter of air.
CPCB standard for residential and rural areas given in brackets.
Source: Yegna Envirochem labs, Hyderabad. (1997-1998)

58
Table 2.6 Ambient air quality (December 1994 to February 1995)
SPM (200) SO2 (80) NOX (80)
Patancheru
No. of samples
Min.
Max
Arithmetic Mean
95 percentile
Standard deviation
59
21.77
629.34
320.59
595.59
169.67
118
0.28
22.65
4.98
12.15
4.16
119
9.11
29.56
15.84
26.44
5.96
Lakdaram
No. of samples
Min.
Max
Arithmetic Mean
95 percentile
Standard deviation
56
6.41
484.94
244.8
418.19
112.77
115
0.31
19.95
4.93
17.43
5.79
119
9.20
43.22
14.99
22.52
6.46
Note: Units in microgram per cubic meter of air. (CPCB standard for
residential and rural areas given in brackets.)
Source: EPTRI, Hyderabad. (1995)

Biological Environment
59
BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The present study is to characterise the environmental components of flora and
fauna, to assess the biological diversity of the region. Flora and fauna can be
used for biological surveillance in assessing the environmental status (Figure
3.1). The ecological interpretation of Nakkavagu basin is based on
reconnaissance survey and from secondary sources of information.
Water is the basic and essential resource for the survival of flora and fauna. The
flora being the primary producer influences the fauna of the region. The
characteristic flora existing in a region depends up on the existing conditions
such as intensity of sunlight, type of soil, quality of air, including the quality and
quantity of water available, etc. In Nakkavagu basin the Industrialisation led to
pollution of surface and groundwater resources, soil, air, etc., this will have
impact on the biodiversity of the region.
Nakkavagu basin area supports diverse fauna because of the presence of water
bodies in and around the basin. The Manjira wildlife sanctuary located to the
north-west of Nakkavagu basin about 30kms from Patancheru lies in between
the Manjira and Singoor barrages. This Sanctuary is the abode for a number of
resident and migratory birds in addition to being the home for the Marsh
crocodile. On the whole the rivers, streams, reservoirs, tanks, ponds, and lakes
present in this part of Medak District, supporting diverse aquatic flora and
fauna, is the sensitive region to be protected.
3.2 FLORA
The flora in this region is tropical deciduous, as the monsoons are very much
short lived in this District. The shedding of leaves starts around January and the
trees remain leafless till June. The flora that is found in Nakkavagu basin is
presented in (Table 3.1).

60
Figure 3.1 Effect of Development activities on plants and animals
(Ramaswamy et al. 1990)

61
Table 3.1 Indigenous plant species of Nakkavagu basin.
Botanical Name Common Name Local Name Uses
1. Acacia arabica Babul Tumma Timber, fodder, fuel-wood,
fencing,
2. Acacia auriculoformis Nakka Thoka Timber, fuel-wood
3. Acacia concinna Shikakai Fencing, shampoo
4. Acacia ferrugen Tella Thumma Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
5. Acacia instia Seema Korinda Fencing,
6. Acacia mangium Budidaaku Chettu Fuel-wood
7. Acassia catechu Tella Thumma Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
8. Achras zapota Sapota Sapota Fruit
9. Adathoda vasica Addasaram Fencing, medicinal, biopesticide
10. Adenanthera pavonina Erra Goli Timber, fuel-wood, fodder
11. Aegle marmelos Bale Maredu Fruit, dye, cultural
12. Agave angustifolia Agave Sagaramatta Fencing, fiber
13. Alebizzia lebback Dirishanam Fodder, timber, fuel-wood
14. Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthus Totakura Greens
15. Annona squamosa Custard Apple Seetahapal Fruit, medicinal, biopesticide.
16. Artocarpus heterophyllus Jack Fruit Panasa Fruit, timber
17. Azadirachta indica Neem Vepa Timber, fuel-wood, fodder, oil,
medicinal, biopesticide
18. Bambusa arundinacea Bamboo Veduru Timber, basket making
19. Bauhinia purpurea Kanchanam Timber, fodder, fuel-wood
20. Bauhinia racemosa Are Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
21. Bixa orellana Annota Dye
22. Buchannia lanzan Chiranj Morri Fruit, fodder, fuel-wood
23. Butea monosperma Flame of Forest Modugu Dye, fuel-wood, leaf plate,
green manure, medicinal
24. Caesalpinia crista Gachhakaya Fencing, medicinal
25. Calotropis gigantia Jilledu Medicinal, fodder, green
manure, biopesticide
26. Canavalia enciformis Swork Bean Chammakaya Vegetable, green cover, fodder
27. Carica papaya Papaya Fruit, medicinal
28. Cassia auriculata Nela Tangedu Fuel-wood, medicinal, manure
29. Cassia fistula Rela Fuel-wood, fodder, timber
30. Cassia siamea Adavi Tangedu Green Manure, medicinal, fuel-
wood, timber

62
31. Cassia spectabilis Pachha Tangedu Fuel-wood, green manure,
medicinal, timber
32. Centrocema pubescens Katte teega Fodder, green cover
33. Cibea pentandra Adavi Patthi Cotton, medicinal, fodder
34. Citrus auruntium Citrus Nimma Fruit, medicinal, biopesticide.
35. Clerodendron phlomidis Takkali Medicinal
36. Clitoria ternatea Blue Bell Shanku pushpam Fodder, green cover
37. Coleus aromaticus Vaamaku Medicinal, biopesticide,
38. Coriandrum sativum Coriandar Daniyalu Greens, biopesticide
39. Crotalaria juncea Sun Hemp Janumu Fiber, green manure, medicine
40. Cucurbita moschata Pumpkin Gummadi Vegetables
41. Diospyros chloroxylon Illinta Fencing, fodder, timber, fuel-
wood, fruit
42. Dodonaea viscosa Pulaili Fuel-wood, fencing, fodder
43. Dolichos biflorus Horsegram Uluvalu Fodder, green manure,
Medicinal
44. Dolichos lab-lab Bean Kuranupa Vegetables, green cover
45. Emblica officinalis Gooseberry Usiri Fruit, medicinal
46. Erithrina indica Tellarjam Fodder, fuel-wood
47. Euphorbia antiquorum Pudaka Jemadi Fencing, medicinal
48. Feronia elephantum Wood apple Veluga Fruit, fuel-wood, fodder.
49. Ficus bengalensis Bhad Marri Fuel-wood, medicinal
50. Ficus glomerata Fig Medi Fodder, fuel-wood, timber
51. Ficus religiosa Peepul Ragi Fruit, fuel-wood, cultural
52. Gardinia gummifera Chitimiti Fruit, fencing, fodder, fuel-wood
53. Gossypium herbaceum Nalla Patti Cotton, Medicinal
54. Grewia tilliaefolia Palsa Fruit
55. Guizoltia abyasinica Niger Gaddinuvulu Oil, Green manure, medicinal,
fodder
56. Gymnosporia montana Danta Fencing, fuel-wood
57. Hardwickia binnata Yepi Timber, fuel-wood, fodder,
58. Hibiscus cannabinus Punti Fiber, fodder
59. Ipomoea fistulosa Tuti poraka Fencing, weaving
60. Jeatropha curacas Adavi amudam Oil, medicinal, biopesticide
61. Lagenaria leucantha Bottle Gourd Sorakaya Vegetable
62. lagerstroemia parviflora Chennagi Food, medicinal, fodder
63. Lantana camera Lantana Kakipandu Fencing, fruit, thatch
64. Luffa acutangula Ridge Gourd Beera Vegetable

63
65. Madhuka indica Mohua Ippa Fuel-wood, fodder, medicinal,
timber, food
66. Mangifera indica Mango Mamidi Fruit, timber, fuel-wood.
67. Melia azadirachta Persian Lilac Turka Vepa Timber fodder
68. Momordica charantia Bitter Gourd Kaakara Vegetable, medicinal
69. Morinda tomentosa Maddi Timber, fodder, medicinal, fuel-
wood
70. Morus alba Mulberry Bontha Pandlu Fruit, fodder, fuel-wood
71. Mucuna cochinchinensis Velvet bean Doolkaya Fodder, green cover
72. Murraya koenigi Curry leaf Karivepaku Medicinal, biopesticide
73. Occimum basilicum Sanctum Tulisi Medicinal, biopesticide, cultural
74. Ougeinia oojeinensis Tella Motuku Firewood, timber
75. Parkiasonia aculeata Cheema tumma Fencing, fuel-wood
76. Passiflora edulis Passion fruit Pacha Pundu Fruit, medicinal,
77. Peltophoram pterocarpum Pachha Pulu Fuel-wood, timber
78. Phaseolus trilobus Pilli Pesara Fodder, green manure,
medicinal
79. Phoenix sylvestris Palm Eetha Fruit, basket making, fencing
80. Pithecellobium dulce Inga dulce Seema Chinta Fruit, timber, fodder,
81. Plantago ovata Mehandi Gorinta Fencing, dye
82. Pongamia pinnata Kharanj Kanuga Green manure, medicinal, fuel-
wood, oil, timber.
83. Premna integrifolia Takkali Fodder, fencing, medicinal,
timber, biopesticide
84. Prosopis cineraria Jambi chettu Timber, fodder, cultural
85. Prosopis juliflora Sarkar Tumma Fodder, fuel-wood, fencing,
86. Psidium gujava Guava Jama Fruit, furniture, medicinal
87. Punica granatum Pomegranate Danimma Fruit, medicinal
88. Ricinus communis Castor Amudam Oil, fodder, timber
89. Rumex pesicarius Chukkakura Greens
90. Samaea saman Rain tree Nidra ganneru Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
91. Sapindus mukorossi Soapnut Kunkudu Shampoo, fuel-wood
92. Sasbania aculeata Tagarancha Green manure, medicinal, green
cover
93. Sesbania grandiflora Avisha Food, fuel-wood, fodder,
94. Sesbania species Jiluga Fodder, green manure,
medicinal
95. Sesbania species Barputam Fodder, green cover, green

64
96. Spinacea oleracea Palak Palak Greens
97. Strychnos nux-vomica Vishamushti Timber, medicinal, fuel-wood
98. Strychnos potatorum Chilla Fuel-wood, timber, fodder
99. Stylosanthes guyanensis Stylo Fodder, green cover, green
manure, medicinal
100. Syzyphus cumini Kala Jamun Allaneradu Timber, fodder, medicinal, fruit
101. Tagetes erecta Marigold Banthi Medicinal, biopesticide, flower
102. Tamarindus indica Tamarind Chinta Fruit, fuel-wood, fodder
103. Tectona grandis Teak Teak Timber, fodder,
104. Tephrosia purpurea Vempali Green manure, dye
105. Terminalia alata Tanni Timber, medicinal, fuel-wood.
106. Terminalia catappa Indian Almond Baadam Fruit
107. Terminalia chebula Hulda Karka Medicinal, fuel-wood
108. Thevetia peruviana Ganneru Fencing,
109. Trigonella foenum graecum Fenugreek Menti Greens
110. Vigna sinensis Cow Pea Alasandalu Fodder, green cover
111. Vitex negundo Vaili Fencing, medicinal, fuel-wood,
biopesticide
112. Vitis setosa Pulla bachhali Greens,
113. Ziziphus mauritiana Ber Reni Fruit, fencing, timber, fodder,
medicinal
114. Ziziphus oenoplia Sparrow Berry Pariki Fruit, fencing, fodder
These lists of species identified are indigenous to this region, many of them
were once found abundantly in these parts of Nakkavagu basin. These species
listed are within the knowledge of older generation, their opinion is considered
before finalising the list. The diverse species identified meet the various
requirements of local people and their domestic animals. They also play an
important role in the local ecosystem of the area. Many tree species are
reduced to few numbers and are limited to few scattered pockets. As per the
villagers, with the industrial development many species are not found any more
or are seen in reduced numbers. As these species are indigenous some of these
listed species can be selected for afforestation and greening of the industrial
areas for lessening the impacts of pollution.

65
Photo 3.1: Prosopis juliflora along the banks of Nakkavagu at N.H. - 9
Photo 3.2: Prosopis juliflora at the confluence of Nakkavagu and
Pamulavagu near Bachuguda

66
Agro-forestry is still a practice in many villages; the fields are dotted with
species like Mangifera indica, Tamarindus indica, Psidium guajava, Accacia
arabica, etc.
Prosopis juliflora and Parthenium hysterophorus are the invading species, which
are recent introductions. Prosopis juliflora growing luxuriantly in saline and
polluted soils, all along the polluted streams of Nakkavagu basin. Parthenium
hysterophorus is the major weed found everywhere.
3.3 FAUNA
Two of the major streams in Nakkavagu basin are named after a mammal and
reptile, ‘Nakka’ means fox, ‘Pamula’ means ‘of snakes’ and ‘vagu’ means stream
in Telugu. ‘Nakkavagu’ – ‘fox-stream’ as per the villagers this stream was habitat
for foxes in the past. Similarly, ‘Pamulavagu’ – ‘Stream of snakes’ was the
natural habitat for snakes. Whenever Pamulavagu was is in spate, large
numbers of snakes were seen everywhere, even in the nearby villages. The
irrigation facilities led to growing crops like paddy, which attracts pests like rats;
they in turn could have attracted snakes in large numbers, which helped in
control of rats.
In the past the forests in the District were active with wild life. The fox, wolf and
Jackal are not seen presently in Nakkavagu basin, as aquatic habitat and forest
areas are devastated by industrial pollution in Nakkavagu basin. As per the local
people’s observation the species like birds, reptiles, amphibians, Pisces, insects
and mammals etc. are drastically reduced or migrated elsewhere. The sparrows
are seen less in numbers nowadays and their numbers have drastically reduced
with increasing pollution. There is complete absence of aquatic life in the
Nakkavagu. The tanks in the past might have attracted a large number and
variety of migratory birds from higher latitudes in winter. Birds are an integral
part of the agricultural system. Birds play an important role in the control of
pests by helping the farmers from crop losses and also their excreta nourishes

67
the fields with natural fertiliser. The fauna seen in parts of Nakkavagu basin and
in the adjacent Manjira wildlife sanctuary is presented in (Table 3.2 (a) & (b)).
Table 3.2 (a)
FISHES REPTILES
- Catla
- Rohu
- Murrel
- Eel
- Paten
- Kaarugu
- Chidwa
- Monitor Lizard
- Fresh water turtles
- Cobra
- Marsh Crocodiles (exclusively found in Manjira
Wildlife Sanctuary)
Table 3.2 (b) Birds observed in parts of Nakkavagu basin and in the Manjira Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Important Resident Birds
- Grey Herons
- Night Herons
- Pond Herons
- Purple Herons
- Purple Moor Hen
- Little Egrets
- Cattle Egrets
- Cormorants
- Coots
- King Fishers
- Green bee eater
- Red watlled lapwing
- Shriek
- Hoopoe
- Doves
- Sparrows
Important Migratory Birds
- Painted Storks
- Open billed Storks
- Spoon bills
- Comb ducks
- Cotton teals
- Whistling teals
- Red crested pochards
- Common pochards
- Brahminy ducks
- Grey Pelicans
- Brown headed Gulls
- Barheaded geese
- Osprey
- Marsh Harrier
- Demoisselle Cranes
- Swallows
Local Migratory Birds
- Oriental Darters
- Black Ibis
- White Ibis
- Glossy Ibis
3.4 FLORA AND FAUNA OF SURFACE WATER
In the polluted environment of streams and tanks, pisces, amphibians, reptiles,
invertebrates, zooplankton and larva of many insects would be under severe
stress, similarly there will be reduction in the wetland species along the banks -

68
emergent macrophytes, floating macrophytes, submerged macrophytes and
phytoplankton. May also lead to extinction and change in the species diversity
and numbers. With the loss of aquatic life due to pollution, the birds'
dependent on streams and tanks for food also get affected.
Streams and tanks of Nakkavagu basin support a wide range of natural
communities. Streams and tanks are important wildlife habitats and they can
have economic value of fisheries too. Tanks support rich and / or characteristic
plant communities, invertebrates, amphibians and birds and may even support
rare species, the seasonal tanks are less important in this regard. Habitat
diversity studies are useful in measuring the quality of whole ecosystem, it is
less time consuming and inexpensive.
The problems of freshwater habitats are, pollution, changes in flow regime,
water depth, catchment area and reduction of habitat size. The pollution of
water is the major cause of loss of biodiversity in streams and lakes. Because of
industrial effluents entering into these water bodies, Nakkavagu does not
support any significant life; many tanks have become dead, supporting only
anaerobic life, exceptionally in some cases. Some of the tanks whose catchment
area is free from industrial activity are supporting vibrant life. The relationship
between diversity of species and the degree of water pollution is vice versa.
The biodiversity of some streams and tanks of Nakkavagu basin is given in
(table 3.3).

69
Table 3.3 Biodiversity of streams and tanks.
S.No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
MACROPHYTES
1 Ceratophyllum demersum A A A A P P A A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A
2 Ipomoea aquatica A A P A P P A A P A A A P A P A P A A P A A
3 Carex species A A P A A P A A A P A A P A P A A A A P P A
4 Cyperus species A P P A A P A P A P P P P A P A P A A P P A
5 Hydrialla veritcillate A A P A P P A P A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
6 Ottella alismoides A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
7 Vallisneria spiralis A A A A P P A A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A
8 Iris pseudocorus A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
9 Juncus heterophylla A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
10 Lemna minor A A P A P P A A A P P A A A A A A A A A A A
11 Spirodela polyrhyza A A A A P P A P A P P A A A P A P A A A A A
12 Nelumbo leutea A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
13 Agrostis species A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
14 Agrostis A A A A A A A A A A A A P A P A P A A P P A
15 Eichhornia crassipes A A P A P A A A P P P P P A A A P A A A A A
16 Potamogeton perfoliatus A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
17 Potamogeton penctinatus A A P A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
18 Potamogeton crispus A A A A A P A A A P A A A A A A A A A P A A
19 Ipomoea species A A P A P A A P P P P P P A P A A A A P P A
S.No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
20 Nymphaea species A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A A A A
21 Scirpus species A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P P A
Algae
22 Chara vulgaris A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P A A
23 Nitella gracillis A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
24 Cladophora glomerati A A P A A P A P P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
25 Spirogyra communia A A P A P P A P P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
26 Spyrogyra varians A A P A P P A P A P A P P A P A A A A P A A
27 Oscillatoria formosa A A P A P P A P P P A A P A P A P A A P P A
28 Oscillatoria limosa A A P A A A A P P P A P P A P A P A A A P A
29 Oscillatoria putrida A A P A A A A P P P P P P A P A P A A A P A
30 Hydrodictyon reticulata A A P A A P A A A P A P A A A A A A A P A A
31 Zygema species A A P A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
32 Heteropterans A P P P P P A P P P P P P A P A P A A P P A
33 Coleopterans A A P A P P A P P P P A P A A A P A A P P A
34 Cladocerans A P P A P P A A P P P A P A P A P A A P P A
35 Gastropods A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
36 Bivalves A A A A A P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
37 Cyprinus carpeo A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A A A A A P A A
38 Labeo rohita A A A A P P A A A P A A P A A A A A A P A A
39 Labeo bata A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
40 Clarias species A A A A A P A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
41 Channa punctatus A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A P A A
Biological Score(Species Present) 0 3 26 1 15 32 0 12 11 24 11 8 26 0 14 0 14 0 0 28 13 0
Biological Score (%) 0 7 63 2.5 37 78 0 29 27 59 27 20 63 0 34 0 34 0 0 68 32 0
(Source: CPCB report (1998))
A – Absent, P – Present

70
Index
Lakes River or stream
1 Khazipally cheru 14 Bollaram near Sultanpur
2 Gandigudem cheru 15 Isukavagu U/s CETP
3 Nagula cheru 16 Isukavagu D/s outfall near Pocharam
4 Krishnareddipet cheru 17 Isukavagu at bridge
5 Mukta kunta 18 Nakkavagu at Bachuguda after confluence with Pamulavagu
6 Aminpur cheru 19 Nakkavagu at Sultanpur bridge
7 Bollaram cheru 20 Manjira U/s Nakkavagu confluence
8 Khazipalli village cheru 21 Manjira D/s Nakkavagu confluence
9 Saka cheru 22 Nakkavagu before Manjira confluence
10 Mutangi cheru
11 Isnapur cheru
12 Chitkul cheru
13 Lakdaram cheru
(Note: The biological score in percentage is directly related to the degree of toxicity of the
surface waters. Zero score percentage indicates highly toxic and almost devoid of any life.)

Socio-Economic and Cultural Environment
71
SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The socio-economic and cultural environment studies are necessary in
assessing the impacts of developmental activities on human beings.
Environmental pollution by the industries also influences directly or indirectly
the social and economic environment.
The developmental activities in a region are meaningless unless such activities
help in the socio-economic development of the region. The creation of
employment opportunities for the local people is the direct impact. The
changes in population composition of the region, multiplier benefits, education
and health status of the local people, changes in the land-use pattern
(agricultural and industrial) and impacts on the cultural properties of the area
are the indirect impacts. This chapter aims to evaluate pros and cons of the
direct and indirect impacts of the industries located mainly in Patancheru and
other Mandals (R.C.Puram, Jinnaram, and Sangareddy) covered in Nakkavagu
basin.
4.2 POPULATION
The population growth and urbanisation of the area can be attributed to the
industrialisation, infrastructure development, and proximity to Hyderabad
(Mega-city). National Highway No.9 (NH-9) that passes through Patancheru
connects Hyderabad and Pune. Secunderabad - Wadi railway line passes
through the south-eastern parts of Patancheru. Industrialisation led to the
growth of Patancheru and Ramachandrapuram as urban towns. With the
accessibility of transportation facilities, Hyderabad is expanding in the north-
west axis along NH-9 too. For the composition of the population of urban
areas, Mandals and Medak District is shown in Tables 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.

72
Percentage of rural and urban population and density of persons per square
kilometer are shown in Figures 4.1 and 4.2 respectively.
66.25
84.66
100
52.82
85.53
33.75
15.34
0
47.18
14.47
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1 2 3 4 5
Percentage of rural and urban population
Figure 4.1 Percentage of rural and urban population
1 2 3 4 5
351
1062
237
479
234
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
persons
Figure 4.2 Density of persons per square kilometre
Legend : 1 – Patancheru, 2 – R C Puram, 3 – Jinnaram, 4- Sangareddy,
5- Medak District

73
Table 4.1 Urban area Population
Place Area (sq. km.) Population Density
(pp.sq.km)
Patancheru
R.C.Puram
BHEL township
14.97
2
25.88
26,862
46,129
17,707
1,794
23,064
684
(Source: Population Census, 1991, in Handbook of Mandal Statistics, Medak District (1995)).
Table 4.2 Population of Patancheru and Sangareddy - 1981 and 1991 census
Place Status Population % of (+) increase.
1981 1991
Patancheru
Sangareddy
Panchayat
Municipality
11,975
31,360
26,862
50,123
+124.3
+59.8
(Source: Population Census, 1991, in Handbook of Mandal Statistics, Medak District (1995)).
In Ramachandrapuram (R.C.Puram) the density of population is very high, this is
due to its proximity to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)-a public sector
company, the availability of all kinds of services and being an area less polluted,
developed as a major town. BHEL Township built for its employees is well
planned, having wide roads, parks and open spaces, which explains the low
density. Patancheru in spite of being a major industrial area is less developed in
comparison to Ramachandrapuram mainly because of obnoxious smell and
water pollution. Overall Patancheru had shown a very significant growth rate of
the population between 1981 to 1991, because of the growth and
establishment of some industries during that period, in and around Patancheru.
Sangareddy being administrative headquarter of Medak District is also shows a
higher growth rate of population may be because of immigrations.

74
Table 4.3 Area, No. of Villages, Towns, Males and Females and total population
Name of the
Mandal
The
area in
sq.kms.
Total
inhabited
villages
No. of
towns
Males Females Populatio
n
(Persons)
Patancheru
R.C.Puram
Jinnaram
Sangareddy
227
71
203
222
24
5
28
27
1
1
0
1
41,948
39,349
25,148
54,572
37,634
36,054
23,042
51,656
79,582
75,403
48,190
1,06,228
Medak dist. 9,702 1,223 10 11,52,079 11,17,721 22,69,800
(Source: Population Census 1991, in Handbook of Mandal Statistics, Medak District (1995)).
Ramachandrapuram Mandal is small in the area having few villages. Patancheru,
Jinnaram, and Sangareddy Mandals are comparable in size and have some
villages in them. Jinnaram Mandal is not having any town, while rest of the
Mandals are having one town each. Females per 1000 males are abnormally low
for Patancheru and less in other three Mandals too, in comparison with the
District ratio (Figure 4.3). In industrial areas working bachelors are usually found
in large numbers, as industrialisation attracts many single male members that
resulted in low sex ratio.
4.3 EDUCATION
The development of a backward region by the establishment of industries
becomes meaningless unless local people can seize the opportunities. In the
absence of educated local people the most sought after skilled and
administrative posts are taken over by neo-immigrants. Therefore the local
people will be limited to unskilled labour. Education plays a major role in the
socio-economic development of the region.

75

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