Impact of Developmental Activities on Bio-Diversity of a Central Indian Wetland: Lesson Learned
Vandana Magarde¹, S. A. Iqbal², Subrata Pani³ and Neelofar Iqbal²¹Department of Chemistry, Rajeev Gandhi College, Bhopal - 462 039 India.
²Department of Chemistry, Saifia College of Science and Education, Bhopal - 462 001 India.
³Lake Conservation Authority of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal - 462 016 India.
Abstract: There has been growing concern all over the world on conservation of the fresh water biota since most of the fresh water bodies are suffering from threats of pollution due to over exploitation and human interventions. Unfortunately in most of the tropical countries due to rapid and unplanned urbanization, a large number of water bodies are subjected to high degree of nutrient enrichment, resulting in deterioration of water quality including bio-diversity of the lake. Bhoj Wetland (a Ramsar site) constructed in the 11th century, is one of the important wetlands of India, which has been subjected to severe degree of pollution. Thus to restore the water quality of the wetland several conservation measures have been implemented under ‘Lakes Bhopal Conservation and Management Project’ during the year 1998-2004. De-silting, diversion of sewage inflow, catchment area management and removal of various types of weeds are some of the activities that have been executed under the conservation programme. Since all these activities could influence the composition of flora and fauna of the lake, therefore present work was undertaken to assess the impact of all the activities on the biotic components of the lake. Data collected on different physico-chemical and biological parameters during the period of implementation and the impact of various developmental activities on biological characteristics is presented in the paper.
Keywords: Nutrient; De-weeding; Central Indian wetlands; Flora & Fauna Back to TOC