EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON AQUATIC VERTEBRATES AND INVENTORIES OF HALEJI AND KEENJHAR LAKES: RAMSAR SITES

摘要

In the present study, the effects of environmental pollution on aquatic vertebrates of two Ramsar Sites viz. Haleji and Keenjhar Lakes were noted and inventories of the vertebrate fauna were prepared during 2006-2009. In the water samples taken from Haleji Lake, the pesticides of organophosphate (OP) and organochlorine (OC) groups were estimated above the Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MAC). These concentrations were much higher in muscles and fat contents than other tissues of birds. All water samples from Keenjhar Lake found contained pesticides below the MAC level. The analysis revealed that KB Feeder Canal is the major source of pollution to Keenjhar Lake. The depletion of Dissolved Oxygen indicated organic pollution harmful for aquatic biodiversity. A total of 22 species of mammals, 228 species of birds, 32 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibia, 37 species of fishes and 33 species of plants were recorded from Haleji Lake, while, 25 species of mammals, 121 species of birds, 29 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibia, 54 species of fishes and 258 floral species were recorded from the Keenjhar Lake. The biodiversity of Haleji Lake is on decline due to many environmental and anthropological factors. In Keenjhar Lake, the number of water birds visiting the lake during migratory season has fallen considerably mainly due to hunting, disturbance and habitat degradation. There are also problems of increasing pollution and resulting eutrophication.