Conduct a survey of biodiversity in your village/town/city (can be a group octivity). Document heritage trees (old,big trees), write their information, what you can see on them like birds. (nesting, roosting), insects, monkeys, squirrels etc. – Maharashtra State Board Class 11 Environmental Studies (EVS) project topic and guidance.
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Project 19 : Conduct a survey of biodiversity in your village/town/city (can be a group octivity). Document heritage trees (old,big trees), write their information, what you can see on them like birds. (nesting, roosting), insects, monkeys, squirrels etc. is an officially approved project topic in the Maharashtra State Board Class 11 Environmental Studies and Water Security curriculum. This comprehensive study equips students with practical field methodologies, ecological analysis, and empirical data required for securing an 'A' grade in school/junior college internal assessments.
Environmental Education and Water Security emphasizes sustainable development through scientific investigation. The practical documentation provided below covers the core findings, observations, and policy measures needed for comprehensive academic evaluation.
Aim of the Study: To conduct a community biodiversity survey focusing on identifying, measuring, and documenting majestic Heritage Trees (trees aged over 50 years) and recording the ecological communities they harbor.
Group field survey using measuring tapes, compasses, GPS smartphone coordinates, and telephoto binoculars to log tree species, crown cover, bark crevices, and wildlife activities across morning and dusk observation hours.
This scientific investigation conforms strictly to Maharashtra State Board practical guidelines, incorporating primary survey data, empirical observations, and practical field documentation.
The following empirical observation matrix demonstrates standard data collection parameters, field measurements, and recorded outcomes for this project study:
| Tree Species & Estimated Age | Location / Coordinates | Trunk Girth (GBH) & Canopy Spread | Observed Fauna (Nesting, Roosting, Feeding) | Threats & Recommended Conservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) ~120 Years | Village Temple Chowk | GBH: 6.8 meters; Canopy: 42 m spread | Roosting Flying Foxes, nesting Parakeets, Barbets, Palm Squirrels | Concrete paving around trunk; needs 2-meter soil breathing zone and legal heritage plaque. |
| Peepal Tree (Ficus religiosa) ~90 Years | Old River Ghat Road | GBH: 4.9 meters; Canopy: 28 m spread | Spotted Owlet nesting cavity, Crow roosting colony, Mormon butterflies | Nail-hammered advertising boards; remove metal nails and declare protected tree. |
| Tamarind Tree (Tamarindus indica) ~85 Years | Old Taluka School Ground | GBH: 3.8 meters; Canopy: 22 m spread | Tailorbirds nesting, Honeybee hives, Carpenter bees, red ants | Vandalism and fire lighting at trunk base; construct protective stone circular katte. |
| Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) ~65 Years | Gram Panchayat Boundary | GBH: 3.2 meters; Canopy: 18 m spread | Sunbirds, Common Mynas, Green Bee-eaters perching, tree lizards | Branches threatened by overhead electricity cabling; conduct scientific pruning. |
| Rain Tree (Samanea saman) ~75 Years | Station Road Junction | GBH: 5.1 meters; Canopy: 35 m spread | Over 150 Flying Foxes (Megabats) day-roosting colony | Road widening proposal; petition Municipal Tree Authority for tree diversion alignment. |
The field study and investigation of Project 19 focuses on the following key environmental observations and highlights:
A comprehensive analysis of Project 19 reveals crucial insights regarding urban forestry and local ecological resilience. By examining empirical data collected in the field, students understand the direct impact of human activity on ecosystems and learn practical conservation strategies applicable to Maharashtra's local environment.
A century-old heritage tree is an irreplaceable vertical ecological city. It stores metric tons of carbon, moderates urban summer temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius, releases millions of liters of moisture, and houses complex wildlife communities that no young sapling can replicate for decades.
To secure full marks (30/30) in your internal project evaluation, structure your handwritten project file in the following official order:
Under the Maharashtra Protection and Preservation of Trees Amendment Act 2021, a heritage tree is defined as any tree with an estimated age of 50 years or more.
By measuring its trunk girth at breast height (GBH) and multiplying it by a species-specific average annual growth factor.
Concrete blocks oxygen and rainwater from reaching the root zone, suffocating fine feeder roots and leading to fungal rot and premature tree collapse.
Because their massive canopies, hollow trunks, and abundant year-round figs provide continuous lodging and dining for birds, bats, insects, and mammals.
Strict penalties including compensatory afforestation of planting trees equal to the age of the cut tree and fines up to Rs. 1 lakh per tree.