Ecology of Sirsa Tributary of River Sutlej in Foothill of Himachal Pradesh, India

Author: Bhagat Singh, Dr. Ram Naresh Tyagi and Dr. Anil Jindal

Download PDF

Abstract

Ecological studies on riverine tributary system need to be addressed as a mark of niche relationship for sustainability of aquatic resources. The nature of hydrobiological factors in the river ecosystem act as a tool for limnologists to study the synergy among different water bodies flowing in lotic and lentic landscape. Such studies were done on Sirsa tributary of river Sutlej in the lap of foothill for restoration purpose. It includes hydrobiological analysis of water sample collected from selected study area in Baddi region to provide baseline ecological data to preserve aquatic life in the long run. Variation in DO ranged (9.6-12.2 mg/L) due to rapid water current at S1; pH (7.2-9.4) also changes due to muddy or silty water flow with more turbidity. Water analysis of wastewater generated by industrial units at Baddi near CETP (S2) showed that the value of chemical oxygen demand was very high (78.5-672.6 mg/L) with very low value of dissolved oxygen (1.2-3.5 mg/L) and BOD ranged between (62.3-328.5 mg/L). Self-purification of water quality reported at S3 with polysaprobic status showing richness of pollution bio-indicators and also have traces of elements (Cr, Co, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, Hg) in ppb. Water is not potable along this stretch due to ruthless discharge of industrial effluents. Prevention is only the key to restore this ecotone of river basin in the near future

Keywords

Niche, Pollutants, Sirsa Tributary, Biomonitoring, Ecology and Restoration

Conclusion

The rate of discharge of inorganic pollutants were more at S2 due to chemical dissolution of raw materials used in pharmaceutical industries near common effluent treatment plant of Baddi area. This has resulted in biogeochemical recycling of elements (toxic and non-toxic) at the mercy of Sirsa river water flowing down stream area near Jagatkhana bridge with continuous eutrophication and self-purification (Heerojeet et al., 2017; Sharma et al., 2018). Studies on river tributary has reflected light on ecological imbalance in the aquatic food chain that also changed the state of main riverine system. The uncontrolled discharge of pollutants in the lotic zone of Sirsa river bed may be use as a remark for sustainability and restoration. Biological monitoring and chemical nature of polluted water will pave the way of river ecology in both direction (upstream and downstream) of study area in Baddi region

References

-

How to cite this article

Bhagat Singh, Dr. Ram Naresh Tyagi and Dr. Anil Jindal (2023). Ecology of Sirsa Tributary of River Sutlej in Foothill of Himachal Pradesh, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 739-742