Study on physico-chemical properties and macrophyte diversity of Haora River, West Tripura district, India
1Maria Deb Barma, 1Prasenjit Patari, 1Huidrom Babina Devi and 2Sabyasachi Dasgupta Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University-799022 (India)
1Maria Deb Barma, 1Prasenjit Patari, 1Huidrom Babina Devi and 2Sabyasachi Dasgupta Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University-799022 (India)
ABSTRACT
The primary resource that all living things on planet earth require in order to survive and develop is water. River water is the primary source of water for irrigation and drinking, hence monitoring it is quite necessary. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the aquatic macrophyte diversity and physico-chemical characteristics of the Haora River. The physico-chemical parameters and macrophytes were recorded from seven sites along the river during winter season. Belt transect technique has been adopted for quantitative evaluation of macrophytes. A total of 43 macrophyte plant species from 20 families and 36 genera were identified throughout the study period. The macrophyte species documented were categorized into four group viz., as emergent, marginal, floating and submerged. Physico-chemical parameters of river water were analyzed by following APHA guidelines, parameters such as pH, EC, Temperature and TDS were recorded in-situ condition. However, Haora river water quality was declining due to different anthropogenic interference and negligence and need urgent attention. Besides downstream riverine vegetation was fragmented and need conservation.