Biomonitoring insights from a stream of River Ganga central Himalaya, India, using benthic macroinvertebrates community

Title : Biomonitoring insights from a stream of River Ganga central Himalaya, India, using benthic macroinvertebrates community

Abstract:

This study assessed water quality in the Rawasan stream of the holy River Ganga in the Central Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India, using benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. Sampling was conducted at five sites along the stream, covering upstream to downstream stretches over one year (2021–2022). Water and macroinvertebrate samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the stream's biodiversity and ecological health.

Macroinvertebrate samples revealed a rich assemblage comprising 89 genera across eight taxonomic orders dominated by Trichoptera (25.09%), Plecoptera (24.77%), and Ephemeroptera (22.02%), with lower representation from Acariformes (2.67%) and Hemiptera (2.47%). The presence of a high EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) percentage—47.04%, indicated clean and well-oxygenated waters throughout the stream.

In addition, 13 water quality parameters were measured using standardized procedures. Most variables, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity, remained within the safe limits prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the distribution of macroinvertebrates and environmental variables, reinforcing their effectiveness as reliable indicators of stream health.

Overall, the study highlights the ecological value of the Rawasan stream and supports the use of benthic macroinvertebrates as a cost-effective and efficient tool for long-term biomonitoring and freshwater quality assessment in the Central Himalayan region.

Keywords: Biomonitoring, Macroinvertebrates, Rawasan, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Biography:

Dr. Koshal Kumar is a dedicated teacher cum researcher in the Himalayan Aquatic Biodiversity department at H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, India. He began his academic journey with a science graduation from Jammu University, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Zoology from H.N.B. Garhwal University, and is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Himalayan Aquatic Biodiversity at H.N.B. Garhwal University, Dr. Koshal fetches more than twelve years of research experience. His work focuses on crustacean fisheries, freshwater bionomics, benthic fauna, and hydro-ecological dynamics of riverine ecosystems in the Himalayan region of India.

Dr. Koshal has published more than 35 research articles in reputed Journals, actively contributed to numerous national and international seminars, conferences, and training programs, and has earned recognition from several scientific and environmental organizations for his research contributions from time to time.