Showing papers in "Environment Conservation Journal in 2011"

Present status of icthyofaunal diversity of Garhwal Himalayan river Bhilangna and its tributaries with reference to changing environment.

Abstract: Fish as a group, from biodiversity view point has the highest species diversity among all vertebrate taxa. Present communication deals with the reassessment of ichthyofaunal diversity of the river Bhilangna and its two sub tributaries, the Balganga and the Nailchami of Bhagirathi river system in Garhwal Himalaya. The observation made during study showed the occurrence of 22 fish species belonging to 2 orders, 3 families and 9 genera from varying habitat of falls, cascades, rapids, riffles and pools in various sections of river Bhilangna and its tributaries. Schizothoraxrichardsonii, S. plagiostomus are dominate species in the riverine segment of river Bhilangna while Cyprinuscarpio (common carp) is the dominate species in impoundment segment of river Bhilangana (reservoir area). The comparison of results of present study with earlier reports revealed that fish fauna has decreased with passage of time in the Bhilangana river system which may be due to degradation and fragmentation of riverine habitat caused by various developmental activities, changes in the natural flow pattern of river, indiscriminate fishing by the use of destructive and unscientific fishing methods, and other natural calamities. Environment Conservation Journal 12(3) 101-108, 2011 (ISSN 0972-3099) Abstracted and Indexed

Dynamics of zooplankton diversity in relation to water quality of Heggere tank, Kanale Sagara Karnataka, India.

Abstract: The present study reveals that the diversity of zooplankton communities in Heggere tank, Kanale varies with the physico-chemical parameters of water. The presence of different zooplankton community indicates the nutrient status of water body. The zooplankton communities were recorded more during the post monsoon and pre monsoon seasons. However, the variation of physico-chemical parameters of water in relation to zooplankton population has been discussed in detail in this paper. The trend of monthly occurrence of zooplankton was found as cladocerans>copepods>rotifers>protozoans.

Status of brown trout (Salmo truttafario L.) in Garhwal Himalaya with a note on it morphometric characteristics.

Abstract: The history of introduction of brown trout in Garhwal Himalaya is 100 years. However, the scientific information on brown trout is grossly lacking. The present study is a part of investigation on various aspects of brown trout inhabiting the River Asiganga in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The status of brown trout was ascertained in River Asiganga and other reports from elsewhere in the region. The morphometric study was based on 253 fish specimens collected from River Asiganga. In addition to the 12 body measurements of the fish, red/orange and brown spots on body were also studied.

Ecological characteristics of Sahastradhara stream at Dehradun (Uttarakhand).

Abstract: Sahastradhara sulphur stream is a natural perennial hill stream which originates from the upper mountainous terrains of Mussoorie in Garhwal region. The climate of Garhwal region depends on the temperature variability. on monthly and seasonally changing patterns. Sahastradhara stream had a cool and pleasant climate but at current stage it has changed at a great extent due to natural and anthropogenic factors. In the present study, the changes were recorded as annual average temperature (3.4 °C – 38.3 °C), wind velocity (0.9 km 2.5 km), rainfall (225 mm – 371 mm), precipitation and sedimentation rate just double from two decay periods. Twenty tree genera of macrobenthic organisms in sediments and other existed native species of macrophytic vegetation in littoral zones of stream. The physico-chemical characteristics of Sahastradhara hill-stream showed seasonal variations and influenced the distributional patterns of macrobenthic communities. Presently, eco-biological characteristics of Sahastradhara stream exhibited continuous degradation nature in and around stream ecosystem in terms of biological productivity and macro-benthic diversity.

Floristic composition, life form classification and biological spectrum of the catchment of Ratle H.E. project, District Kishtwar-J&K (India).

Abstract: Based on floral inventorization of the vegetation of Ratle catchment area, biological spectrum on life form was prepared and compared with Raunkiaer’s normal biological spectrum as well as the spectra of the adjoining areas prepared by other workers. The floristic list of the Ratle catchment consists of 384 species belonging to 96 families and 242 genera. Asteraceae has been recorded as the largest family (31 genera/52 species) followed by Fabaceae (12 genera /23 species), Lamiaceae (14 genera/ 23 species), Rosaceae (10 genera/ 17 species) etc. Thirty nine families show monotypic representation.The ratio of family to genera was calculated as 1:2.52; family to species as 1:4 and genera to species as 1:1.59. According to the Raunkiaerian life form classification (1934), Therophytes (33.85%) and Hemicryptophytes (18.75%) were found to be dominant thus indicating thero-hemicryptophytic type of phytoclimate in the study area.

Physico-chemical property of river Ganga at foot hills of Garhwal Himalayas.

Abstract: To assess the water quality of river Ganga at foot hills of Garhwal Himalaya five sampling station have been selected in a long stretch of 125 Km from Devprayag to Roorkee. The investigation was carried out for a one year (2010-2011). In the present study of river Ganga its physio-chemical characteristicsviz temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total solid, BOD, COD, DO, Alkalinity, Acidity, Hardness, Chloride were done. A minor difference in all the physicochemical parameters were observed in all the sampling station studied during the course of study.

Liquid bio-medical waste management strategy.

Abstract: Bio-medical waste has become a major concern in the world over as it poses serious environmental hazard. The collection and disposal of bio-hazardous liquid can pose a significant risk and occupational challenge to hospital staff as microbial content in this waste may contain significant pathogens. Occupational risks associated with working in Health Care Establishments (HCE's), need to take proper precautions in handling any material from these centers.The scope of this study is limited to bio-medical liquid waste management as per Bio-medical waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998 prescribed by CPCB. The objective of this study was to assess the waste handling and treatment system of hospital biomedical liquid waste & its mandatory compliance with Regulatory Notification of Biomedical waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, under Environmental Protection Act1986, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Government of India. In accordance with rules, every hospital generating liquid BMW needs to set up requisite treatment facilities of BMW in site. Here we have carried out detailed field study for liquid bio-medical waste in selected HCE's for quantification and characterization of liquid medical waste streams from the different facilities i.e. operation theatre laboratories etc. Also study the existing wastewater management system of these selected HCE's. To assess the feasibility of discharging the liquid bio-medical waste into sewer, with or without treatment and if treatment is required then use the techno-viable treatment schemes for HCE's.

Status of noise pollution in households of Kathua city (J&K).

Abstract: The present study has been carried out to assess the seasonal variations of Leq ,NC and LNP noise levels in households located at different areas of Kathua city. Indoor as well as outdoor Leq in the households located in the study area revealed lower values during winter season as compared to summer season of first year as well as second year study period. The indoor Leq in Households exhibited higher values as compared to that of outdoor but both values exceeded the prescribed limits of noise level in the residential and commercial area but within the limits in industrial area. Households located in the residential area and near the institutes exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) lower values of Leq than the households located in the commercial area and industrial area.

Resource utilization and anthropogenic pressure in a part of submontane forest of outer Himalaya, Uttarakhand.

Abstract: Forests and wild life are essential for ecological balance of an area. Forests are important components of our environment and economy. Present study was conducted in a part of submontane forest of Kumaun, Outer Himalaya adjacent to Kashipur, at (29o 14-43.6)–(29o 19-50.5) N latitude and (79o 03-22.6)–(79o 04-23.2) E longitude at an elevation of 253.4– 265.5 meter above the sea level, within the districts of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar to check the various resources and effect of anthropogenic pressure in forest ecosystem.

Mini Forest - An experiment to evaluate the adaptability of Western Ghats species for afforestation

Abstract: Saplings of forty nine species of trees from Western Ghats forests were planted on a 1.5 hectare tract of Deccan plateau (in the campus of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) and their performance monitored for 23 years. The objective was to evaluate their adaptability to a habitat and conditions apparently alien to these species. The study was also meant to understand the linkages of these trees with the surrounding environment. Contrary to the belief that tree species are very sensitive to change of location and conditions, the introduced trees have grown as good as they would do in their native habitat and maintained their phenology. Further, they have grown in perfect harmony with trees native to the location. The results show that the introduced species are opportunistic and readily acclimatized and grew well overcoming the need for the edaphic and other factors that are believed to be responsible for their endemicity. Besides ex situ conservation, the creation of miniforest has other accrued ecosystem benefits. For instance, the ground water level has risen and the ambient temperature has come down by two degrees.

Impact of municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping on ground water quality at Muthi Jammu -A Case Study

Abstract: The present paper deals with the physico -chemical analysis of ground water quality near a municipal solid waste dumping site at Muthi, Jammu. The impact of MSW dumping on ground water quality varies in different seasons and at different distances from the waste dumping sites .The depth of ground water also indicates the level of ground water contamination. Ground water analysis was carried for a period of seven months during (June to Dec. 2007) and thirteen parameters viz., pH, Turbidity, EC, TDS, DO, Free CO2 , HCO3, Total hardness,Ca ++ , Mg 2+ , NO3 - , SO4 2- , Cl - were analysed for present studies. Results revealed that in some samples pH, turbidity, DO , HCO3, total hardness, Ca ++ , Mg 2+ , NO3 - were not within the standards prescribed by WHO, 1993 and BIS, 1992.

A checklist of benthic macroinvertebrates of River Manuni, Himachal Pradesh.

Abstract: Himachal Pradesh is drained by five main rivers and their tributaries. River Manuni originates from the southern slopes of the Dhauladhar range and joins River Baner on the rear side of the Kangra fort to finally meet the River Beas near Haripur in district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh. The present study was undertaken to investigate the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of River Manuni during March 2009 to February 2011. Monthly samples of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from the three designated sampling sites within an altitudinal range of 610m to 1240m asl. A total of 67 taxa were identified in River Manuni during the study period. Out of which 44 insects were identified up to generic level which belonged to 8 orders and, 12 up to family level belonging to 5 orders. Among other benthic macroinvertebrates, 8 were identified up to generic level belonging to 5 orders. In addition, earthworm, leech and crab were also recorded in Manuni water. Of the taxa recorded, 44 were common in all reaches i.e. higher (1240m), middle (770m) and lower reach (610m) of the River Manuni, whereas some taxa were restricted to specific reach only i.e., 10 taxa were limited to higher reach, 03 taxa to middle reach and 01 taxon was present only in lower reach of River Manuni.

In vitro anti-malarial activity of aerial part of Boenninghausenia albiflora.

Abstract: Boenninghauseniaalbiflorabelonging to the family Rutaceae is well known for its medicinal properties in traditional system of medicine. The crude ethanolic extracts of aerial part were tested for in-vitro anti-plasmodial activity against two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: MRCpf-20 (chloroquine resistant strain) and MRC-pf-303 (chloroquinesensitive strain), using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Crude ethanolic extracts showed good antiplasmodial activity in vitro (IC50 ≤ 50 µgml -1 ). It showed promising anti-plasmodial activity with an IC50 = 22.18µgml -1 on MRC-pf-20 strain and IC50 = 27.43µgml -1 on MRC-pf-303 strain. Crude ethanolic extracts were be further fractionated by partitioning in water and dichloromethane. The dichloromethane fraction revealed stronger anti-plasmodial activity than crude ethanolic extracts. The dichloromethane extract of B. albiflora showed promising antiplasmodial activity with an IC50 = 12.32 µgml -1 on MRC-pf-20 strain and IC50 = 17.41 µgml -1 on MRC-pf-303 strain. Therefore, there is need to continue the extensive study including isolation and identification of the active compound and theirinvitro andinvivo activity.

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) mediated solubilization of phosphorus in clayey soil.

Abstract: One of the major essential macronutrient for plant is phosphorous and is applied to soil in the form of chemical phosphatic fertilizers which is immobilized rapidly and becomes unavailable to plants. Microorganisms are involved in the transformation of soil P and is thus an integral part of the soil P cycle. In particular, soil microorganisms are effective in releasing P from inorganic and organic pools of total soil P through solubilization and mineralization. P-solubilization ability of the microorganisms is considered to be one of the most important properties. The adverse impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment and the less cost effectiveness stimulates the exploration of Phosphate solubilisers. 2/3rd of phosphate fertilizer is unavailable within a very short period of its application due to fixation in the soil complex. To overcome the problem of phosphorus solubilisation and to raise its concentration in soil, the present work was undertaken which deals with the isolation and inoculation of VAM spores from four sets of soil sample mainly clayey textured soil as classified on the basis of its morphological characteristics done through particle size analysis. The result of the present study showed that AM symbiosis associated with plant roots and soil aggregates optimizes the phosphorus solubilization and it is confirmed by the physicochemical and biochemical estimations along with the mineralogical studies, where the results are within expectations.