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IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT ON THE LIMNOLOGY OF CHATLAM WETLAND PAMPORE, INDIA

2020; Volume: 7; Issue: 18 Linguagem: Inglês

2394-5125

Siraj Yousuf Parray, Bhupendra Koul,

Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Human settlement and the impact of unsustainable agricultural activity in the catchment of Chatlam a suburban wetland has been evaluated together with its impact on the limnology of the ecosystem. Detailed survey was conducted to find out the population and cattle head count.. During the study 12 villages consisting of about 4000 families in the vicinity with human population of about 35000 and cattle head count of 12400,directly or indirectly effect the wetland ecology. Study of land use pattern indicate 1360 ha under various agri zones which involve annual use of 265 metric tons of fertilizers and 1.75 metric tons of pesticides. Due to unplanned development the physicochemical properties of water showed fluctuations from the normal pattern. The physicochemical parameters like pH, conductivity, chloride, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and orthophosphate were assessed and showed gradual increase during the study period. Macrophytes constitute an important part of water bodies and their frequency or abundance increases or decreases with the productive status of the wetlands. During the present study 23 species of macrophytes were recorded and extinction of world famous Nelumbo nucifera. The unplanned agricultural practices together with rapid urbanization has reduced the area of water body from 44 to 39 ha thereby endangering the aquatic and avifaunal diversity. The present study will try to find out the possible cause of anthropogenic stress and the possible measure to conserve it. At the end recommendations have been suggested to mitigate some of these issues in order to contribute to sustainable wetland management.