Studies to Estimate the Pollution Load of Some South Bengal Rivers and Its Impacts: A Survey

Abstract

Availability of fishes in the river stretch is directly related to the economy of the fishermen community. Due to increasing pollution load many rivers of Indian subcontinent is facing the problem of ecological degradation with sharp decline in fish productivity. Rivers of West Bengal to be more precise rivers of south Bengal are not the exceptions. A preliminary survey has been conducted to identify the major river basins of South Bengal where most of the rivers pour its content into Bhagirathi-Hooghly at different points. Some of the tributaries joined at the right bank and some others joined at the left bank of the main confluence of Bhagirathi-Hooghly River. Present study deals with the hydrobiological condition of River Churni, Jalangi and Damodar, three tributaries of Bhagirathi-Hooghly confluence, which in turn the main influencing factor of river productivity. All the rivers have been found to receive industrial effluent from diffuse sources. Increased pollution load has been evident during the survey in about all the confluences. The situation is continuously posing constrains on the productivity of these river. Loss of aquatic diversity, both flora and fauna, have been found to be the major problem during last few decades. The fishermen community which is directly associated with the productivity of these river has facing economic loss due to the loss of river bio-diversity. Collection and analysing of water sample to determine the levels of water quality parameters of these rivers help us to estimate the load of pollution in these river stretches. Objective of the study was to estimate the water quality status of some south Bengal rivers and its relation to the fish availability and socio-economy of fishermen. Results show that River Churni is facing a huge problem of ecological degradation whereas, other two tributaries, Jalangi and Damodar show moderate load of pollution. Socio-economic condition of the fishermen is highly dependent on productivity of river. Result shows that fishermen of River Churni and Jalangi are highly affected due to the decreasing productivity of the rivers. Socio-economic condition of Damodar river dependants are comparatively high than these two river dependents. The ultimate result of the total study will help to estimate the present water quality condition of the South Bengal Rivers and occupation of its dependents.