Assessment of Aquatic Ecological Health- A Case Study of a Sacred Lake Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh

Aquatic Ecological Health of Lake Rewalsar

Abstract

The present study was conducted for two years (November 2014 to October 2016) to analyze the water quality of the sacred lake Rewalsar. Water quality of different seasons was evaluated by water quality index (WQI). Various statistical techniques, such as correlation, principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. Based on Water Quality Index, water quality of lake was found in the range of 33-80 in different seasons. Cluster analysis of similarity indicates the relationship intensity between the seasons as cluster ranged 80-100% during the study period. In the PCA analysis maximum variables (Conductivity, Alkalinity, BOD, Nitrates, Phosphates, and Chloride) shows maximum influence during the summer and monsoon. The outcome revealed that the major driving factors of water quality deterioration are the runoff of effluent from the domestic area and offering food materials to the fishes. So, it is necessary to implement effective management strategies for the conservation of the Rewalsar lake.