Improvisation of Aquatic Environment through Eco-technology

Adnan Abubakr and M. H. Balkhi Division of Aquatic Envtl. Management FACULTY OF FISHERIES Rangil , Ganderbal SKUAST- K.

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Associate Professor Assistant Professor

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Introduction:
Aquatic ecosystems provide a diversity of services vital for human well-being and poverty alleviation. It is well established that provisioning services from aquatic ecosystem, such as food (notably fish), fodder and fiber are essential for human well-being. In addition, aquatic ecosystems have significant aesthetic, educational, cultural, and spiritual values and provide invaluable opportunities for recreation and tourism. The forcing functions emanating from the lake / river catchments area are responsible for jeopardizing their present status. This liquid waste entering aquatic ecosystem brings far-reaching physical, chemical and biological changes. Loading of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) result in water quality deterioration, excessive growth of obnoxious algae and unwanted aquatic vegetation thereby diminishing the recreational, economic and aesthetic values of aquatic ecosystems.

Key issues:
Based on the information available, the following key issues have been identified: Deterioration of water quality due to direct discharge of untreated sewage from in and around lakes and rivers. Growth of dense macrophytic vegetation: prolific weed infestation has severely impaired the lake aesthetics besides choking of most of the lake zones and posing threats for routine navigation of boats and recreational activities.

Changes in species richness and structure of biological communities: Large quantities of sewage discharge from the Srinagar city and major towns flows into the lake and rivers thereby leading to increased eutrophication which has adverse impacts on the growth and development of the fisheries in general and sensitive species including Schizothoracids in particular and has adversely changed in the structure of biological communities.

Target: WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Reducing biologically important nutrients within the aquatic ecosystem
Use of aquatic plants as phytoremediation tool: Phytoremediation has been increasingly used to clean up contaminated water systems because of its lower costs and fewer negative effects than physical or chemical engineering approaches. The principles of phytoremediation systems for cleaning up eutrophic water include identification and implementation of efficient aquatic plant systems, uptake of dissolved nutrients including N, P, and metals by the growing plant; and harvest and beneficial use of the plant

Target: WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Control of pollution from point source coming from the immediate catchment. Control of point sources of pollution through wetland technology The goal of using wastewater treatment through wetland mediated technologies is for the removal of contaminants from the water in order to decrease the possibility of detrimental impacts on aquatic ecosystem.

Outcome / Visible Impact:

Reduction of biologically important nutrients like Nitrogen and Phosphorus besides other contaminants by the wetland technology. Water quality improvement. The Technology developed being eco-friendly in nature will tackle the nutrient enrichment problems for all freshwater lakes and wetlands of Kashmir, which are under constant threat of the eutrophication. Financial outlay: Rupees 45 lakh Duration : Three years.