Study of bio-physico-chemical parameters of Mothronwala swamp, Dehradun (Uttarakhand).

Aquatic biodiversity is one of the most essential characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem formaintaining its stability and a means of coping with any environmental change. The entire stretch of the Mothronwala swamp has rich riparian vegetation for providing conducive environment for the growth of aquatic organisms. The present work has been undertaken to study the bio-physico-chemical characteristics of the swamp. The data on physico-chemical environmental variables (temperature, total dissolved solutes, size and composition of substratum, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity chlorides, and hardness) have been given under the present contribution. A total of 16 genera of aquatic insects belonging to orders Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Phylum Mollusca represented the macroinvertebrates of Mothronwala swamp. The fresh water swamp of Mothronwala is under threat due to human interference and other anthropogenic activities. Some of the natural and anthropogenic environmental problems of the Mothronwala swamp have been identified and the ameliorative measures for the protection of aquatic environment and the conservation measures for the swamp have been suggested. The qualitative study revealed the present status of the aquatic biodiversity of the swamp and also about the physico-chemical parameters, which would be very helpful for policy makers to take precautionary measures to save the swamp.

Impact of Tehri Dam on aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity of Bhagirathi, Uttarakhand (India).

Aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in the Bhagirathi river was monitored for the period of twelve months (September 2004 to August 2005) for assessing the impact of Asia's highest dam, Tehri Dam. Comparative data on diversity of macroinvertebrates revealed that the number of taxa in the downstream stretch, especially close to the dam was significantly reduced. The velocity of water current, hydromedian depth, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and the bottom substrates of the river were found drastically influenced due to the construction activities of the dam. Macroinvertebrate diversity (Shannon-Wiener Index) was altered from 3.44 to 1.98. The members of ephemeroptera and trichoptera were drastically influenced in comparison to other macroinvertebrates.

Characterization and management of municipal solid waste of Srinagar-Garhwal.

Characterization and physico-chemical composition of municipal solid waste of Srinagar-Garhwal, a hill town of Uttaranchal were carried out to know the composition of solid waste for its efficient management. A total of 28,56,500 kg (2,856.5 tonnes) of solid waste was produced per annum. A disposal site away from the open bank of Alaknanda has been suggested. 1,500 m3 volume of land will be required for the land filling of half of the solid waste generated in Srinagar town. In addition to it, 60 numbers of trenches (size 10 m x 3 m x 1 m) with clear spacing of 2.0 m will be required for the composting of remaining half of the solid waste. A list of suggestions has also been made for reducing the waste generation at source.