Water quality assessment of River Ganga for conservation of Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica) at Garhmukteshwar

Abstract

82 km stretch of River Ganga from Garhmukteshwar to Narora has been declared as Ramsar site because it inhabits rare and endangered Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica). Dominance of Molluscs and Annelida communities of benthic macroinvertebrates provide proper feeding habitat for dolphins at more than 10-20 meter depth in River Ganga. Gangetic dolphin preferred a high level of flow velocity in River Ganga at Garhmukteshwar. Dolphins were commonly observed in biological water quality of moderate pollution (Class ‘C’). Habitat degradation due to construction of dams/ barrages, extraction of water, siltation, pollution due to hazardous chemicals and other human activities are the main causes of its decline in the river.

Keywords

• Habitat
• Benthic macro-invertebrates
• Endangered
• Bio-monitoring