1. BRiP 2011 Conference Saturday, November 4, 2011, Outreach, IIT Kanpur byby

2. Objectives of study  Assess present state of ecology and biodiversity in the main stem of Ganga River and its major tributaries.  Identify characteristic species at selected locations for working out environmental flows.  Suggest species - indicating progress in Eco-restoration  Definitions of the terms used  Ecology- Major interdisciplinary science dealing with complex interactions of living organisms (biotic) with environment (abiotic) Study of structure and functions of nature  Biodiversity (Biological diversity) An umbrella term including all living beings (terrestrial and aquatic) Ecological characteristics, variability of genus, species, population and communities (Biogeographic distribution, emigration and immigration)  Ecosystem- Unit of nature

3.  Rivers- Constitute a lotic series of water Constant motion, with longitudinal, lateral and vertical connectivity Functions and services Provide habitat for aquatic biological communities and maintain a good biodiversity Maintain a flow regime Nurture flood plains and combat land erosion by sea Replenish nutrients in flood plains Recharge ground water Support livelihood and meet the needs of drinking water, agriculture, industry and community Assimilate waste and purify itself Facilitate navigation, recreation, tourism and play an important role in economics, culture and spiritual life of society River, function and services

4. Ecosystems Functional Components Transport of Elements Features of biochemical Cycling Interactions Energetic Production Consumption Fluxes of C, N, P, S Mass balance Wetlands Terrestrial Storages/Pondages Artificial Natural Permanent Transient Diara Lands Riparian Cultivated Forests Grasslands / Scrublands Subsystems Fresh water Estuarine Flowing Main Stem Gangotri To Farakka Farakka to Gangasagar Hoogly - Matlah Higher Vertebrates Structural Components Abiotic Biotic Chemical Characteristics Chemical Characteristics Flow Sediment Load Sediment Load Habitat Nutrien ts Salinity Decomposables Recalcitrant Dissolve Gases Toxicants MetalsPesticides Producers Consumer s Decomposers Phytobenthos Phytoplankton Macrophytes Zooplankton Macroinvertebates Vertebrates Zoobanthos Fish Bacterial Fungus Culturable Non Culturable Aquatic Extra Aquatic Tributaries

5. Debate: Debate: Preserve natural ecology because it has “a priori” right Or Preserve the natural ecology because it provides goods and service Ganga river system:  One of the largest inland river basin catchment 0.86 million km 2  Rises as Bhagirathi at Goumukh at the height of 4255m (a msl)  Joins another head water of Alaknanda at Deoprayag and descends as Ganga  Travel a total distance of 2525 km  Important tributaries joining Ganga main stem are Alaknanda Mandakini, Pinder, Nandakini ), Ram Ganga, Kali, Yamuna Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken ), Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Tons, Punpun, Bhuri, Gandak and Kosi ) Maintenance of natural order

7. Study area of the Ganga River UG UG1 (Gangotri to Gangnani) UG 2 (Gangnani to Devprayag) UG 3 (Devprayag to Haridwar) MG MG 1 (Haridwar to Bijnor) MG 2 (Bijnor to Narora) MG 3 (Narora to Fatehgarh) MG 4 (Fatehgarh to Allahabad) MG 5 (Allahabad to Varanasi) LG LG1 (Varanasi to Farakka) LG 2 (Farakka to Gangasagar ) Water temperature: 4.3- 19°C Annual rain fall: 78 cm Water velocity: 2 - 3.3 m/s; 1.0 - 3.3 m/s; 0.1-3.0 m/s Water temperature: 15 - 30°C Annual rain fall: 104 cm Water velocity: 20 cm/sec Water temperature: 23- 35 °C Annual rain fall: 182 cm

8. UG I (Gangotri to Gangnani)/ Biodiversity  High flow velocities and low temperature (4.3-9.8°C) are the major factors for low biodiversity in this stretch  Less influenced by human interventions and the only organic input is lignocellulosic materials  Clean and clear with low depths and high transparency  Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools  Substrate: Mature boulders, rocks and pebbles Biotic components  Majority of biotic components represented by the diatoms  In the lower stretch three taxa of green algae have been identified  Periphyton is the only producer factor which supports zoobenthos represented by stone flies and caddis flies  Dragon and damsel flies are conspicuous by their absence  The predator, stone fly is top consumers in food chain due to absence of fish population  Zooplankton has not been reported in this zone  No fish population from Gaumukh to Harsil

9. UG II (Gangnani to Devprayag)/ Biodiversity  Large alterations in flows due to construction of number of number of hydel projects (Maneri Bhali I and II Projects, and Tehri and Koteshwar Dams)  Total 18 dams have been planned out of which 4 existing, 5 under construction and 9 proposed  The flow at number of places has been reduced or no flow conditions  exist due to the storages in dams and water in tunnels (Appox 82 km)  Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools  Substrate: Mature cobbles, pebbles and boulders  Higher water temperatures (in the range 8.5-17.2°C) have also been recorded at Tehri Biotic components  The biota consists of periphyton, phytoplankton, zooplankton and vertebrate population essentially fish  Periphyton and phytoplankton are represented mainly by diatoms  The zoobenthos are dominated by may fly and dipterans  Important fishes reported in this sub stretch include minor carps, major carps and trout  The fishes migrate towards upper reaches in August-October in search of suitable breeding environment  The migration of fish for breeding has been largely altered by the barriers and diversions (barrages, dams and tunnels)

10. UG III (Devprayag to Haridwar)/ BIodiversity  Devprayag is the confluence point of the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda  Before reaching Rishikesh, it joins a tributary, Nayar, which is reported as breeding ground for the of Mahseer (Tor sp.)  Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools  Substrate: Mature cobbles, pebbles and boulders  Clean and clear water with high transparency and moderate depth at most of the places and higher water temperature Biotic components  Phytoplankton, periphyton, zooplankton, zoobenthos and fishes constitute the biota in this stretch  Periphyton are mostly represented by diatoms. The number of taxa varies from 10 to 77  The phytoplankton comprises mostly Diatoms, green and blue green algae have also started appearing  Zooplankton is scanty consisting of ciliates. A few rotifers and crustaceans also are reported  In zoobenthos, may fly and dipterans are common  Important fishes reported in this sub stretch include minor carps, major carps (Labeo sp.), Mahseer (Tor sp.) and catfishes

11. Biological Community of Upper Ganga Total number of genera and species increases is minimum in UG3 due to river enters in to gorge and lack proper substratum Diatom is dominant group in all the zones and number of species The number of species in green algae and blue green algae increases from UG1 to UG3 Phytoplankton (Algae) Total number of orders and families increases from UG1 to UG2 & decrease at UG3 May fly and two wing fly are dominant at UG2 The number of families in stone fly decreases, while Dragon & damsel fly increases from UG1 to UG3 due to lack of preferred substrate May fly Stone fly Blue green algae Diatom Periphyton (Algae) Diatom constitutes dominant group in all the zones Green algae, blue green algae and Euglena increase from UG 1 and UG 3 Yellow green algae appeared only in UG2 Zoobenthos (Macro invertebrates)

12.  Water velocity is low due to the almost horizontal flow  Temperature is higher than upper Ganga (15-30°C)  Flood plains are prevalent  Flow in plains meander on sand bed  Abstraction of water in the river is from 3 canals upper Ganga canal, middle Ganga canal and lower Ganga canal  Human interactions like bathing and cremation activities are very high and inflow of polluted tributaries.  Large in flows of wastes from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources. Treated, partially treated and untreated Features of Middle Ganga

13. BIODIVERSITY OF MG Total 114 genera and 375 species of phytoplankton 27 genera are common to all stretch Diversity increases from MG1-MG5 Diatoms are dominating over green algae and blue green algae Total 42 genera & 65 species of zooplankton Rotifers are most abundant, mainly Protozoans are maximum in MG4 MG4 is very rich in zooplankton Total 62 genera &112 species of periphyton. The diversity is decreasing from MG1-MG3 Most dominant community is Diatoms followed by green algae Total 33 Order & 89 Families of Zoobenthos No proper trend in Zoobenthos Diptera are abundant at all stations Trichoptera and Coleoptera at MG1 & Ephemeroptera at MG4 Annelids represented by Oigochaetes and Polychaetes Population of macrobenthic fauna decreases from Haridwar to Varanasi

14.  Middle stretch is very productive in fish resources  Total 138 species under 25 families are present  Major carps & cat fishes are most important  Some exotic fishes have been reported after confluence of Yamuna after Allahabad (China carp, Tilapia)  Important commercial fishes are Labeo rohita (Rohu), Bagarius bagarius, Rita rita, Catla catla, Labeo calbasu, Cirrhina mrigala, Mystus (Sperata), Wallago, etc  This stretch of Ganga is polluted with domestic waste and industrial waste  Nutrients (N & P) are in sufficient quantities to support algal growth, food for carps Nekton (Fishes)

15.  Higher vertebrate are represented by Turtles, Ghariyals and Dolphins  Hard shell turtles are dominated over soft shell. Common between Bijnor and Allahabad  Ghariyals are found at downstream Narora barrage. Estimated number are only 3  Dolphins are common between Bijnor and Narora. Have been spotted at Kanpur downstream barrage in post monsoon season Higher Vertebrates

16. Features of Lower Ganga (LGA)  Fresh water zone approximately of 624 km from Varanasi to Farakka  Water temperatures are higher 23-35°C  Velocity of water is also higher due to the confluence of major tributaries  From Varanasi to Farakka slope is appreciably reduced, indicating siltation  Sediment load is very high and substrate is silt over sand  Flood plains are very common Biotic components: Phytoplankton:  Blue green algae are dominant with 79 species  Diatoms are represented by 73 species followed by 46 species of green algae  Some species of other groups are also found Zooplankton:  Rotifers (33 species) are dominant, followed by Cladocerans (10 species), Copepods and Protozoans  Macroinvertibrates  Molluscs constitute the major group, soft substrate (51 species)  Annelids are also common (Polychaetes, Oligochaetes)

17. LGA (Varanasi to Farakka)/ Biodiversity Biotic components Fishes  Sustains 114 species of fishes belonging to 28 families and 70 genera  The most important group is Carps, include 39 species  The characteristic group of fishes are major carps, large catfishes & other cat fishes  Some commercially important fishes are Catla- catla, Labeo rohita, Labeo- calbasu, Cirrhina mrigala  Exotic fishes are Chinese carp (Cypribus carpio), Tilapia (Oreochromis nilaticus), Hypothalmichlhys molitris are in sufficient numbers and comptete with common Carps  Commercially important fish Hilsa ilisha has literally disappeared after the construction of Farakka barrage

18. LGB (Farakka to GangaSagar)/ Biodiversity  It is the largest estuarine system (Hoogly Matlah Estuary) in India  Characterized by mixing of fresh water and regular tidal influxes  Create a steady gradient of marine and fresh water. (Salinity varies between 0.02-30 gm/l)  Extends 300 kmNorth- South 150 km East- West 8029 sq. km area  The Sunderbans where tide dominates is 2340 sq. km  Temperatures vary between18-31°C  Biodiversity is largely controlled by fresh water flux, nutrient inputs and changing environmental conditions  Substrate is largely silt over sand  Biodiversity is distinct from the fresh water zone Biotic components: Phytoplankton: Total Taxa reported817 Genera reported 194 Blue green algae > green algae > Diatoms.

19. LGB (Farakka to Ganga Sagar)/ Biodiversity Other Biotic components:  Zooplankton is dominated by cnidarians (26 sp.)  Rotifers (135 sp.) Chaetognatha, Copepoda and larval decapods  Macrobenthos is represented by 137 sp. and 64 genera. Includes Annelids- Polychaetes/ Oligochaetes Protozoans- Cilliphora (193 sp.)  Arthropoda (1143 sp.)- Crustaceans (173 sp.) ticks mites/ insects (344 sp.)  Molluscs constitute a very large groups 25 sp. of Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Cephalopoda  Echinoderms are exclusively marine Starfishes, Sea urchis Nekton:  Fishes are present in large numbers  13 species are commercially important and represented by Hilsa Bombay duck Polynemus  156 species of bony fishes and 13 species of Cartilaginous fishes are reported  The annual catch of fish is about 20,000 tons/year  Higher vertebrates like Mugger and Dolphins are common

20. Microbial Biodiversity  Biological diversity or “biodiversity” refers to the variety of living organisms. its provides stability and balance in natural systems.  The microbial loop is a trophic path in the web of microbial food where dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is returned to higher trophic levels via the incorporation into bacterial biomass.  Microbes play an important role in to degrade a vast variety of complex organic compounds due to their metabolic versatility (Grime, 1997).  Microbes work as efficient decomposers and scavengers to clean up the environment (Maire et al, 1997).  Microbes are indicators of ecosystem function. By measuring amount of growth, respiration, and uptake of nutrients, their specific processes like nitrification, denitrification etc. would tell us about the function of the ecosystem.  Microbes carry out recyling of phosphorus, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur elements and replenish the environment with these by degrading substrates obtained from dead and decaying plant and animal remains.  Ganga River is a complex ecological niche as it accommodates a diverse community of microbial population.  Apart from coliforms and undesirable bacteria, a loss in the count of normal bacteria in Ganga water would indicate failing ecosystem health.

21. S No Sampling Station River Total Bacterial Count Most predictable bacterial species found 01 Rishikesh Ganga1.52E+08 12 02 Haridwar Ganga1.11E+08 18 03 Bijnour Ganga1.27E+08 11 04 Narora Ganga1.07E+09 17 05 Farrukhabad Ganga9.39E+08 14 06 Farrukhabad Ramganga1.50E+11 13 07 Kannuaj Ganga Ramganga1.43E+11 14 08 Kannuaj Kali1.89E+11 14 09 Kannuaj Ganga Mix1.69E+11 13 10 Kanpur Bithoor1.78E+11 13 11 Kanpur Jajmau2.54E+13 12 Microbial Biodiversity in Ganga River

22. Microbial Biodiversity

23.  189 species of fishes in fresh water system  169 species of fishes in estuarine system  Support growth of 458 taxas of algae  206 Diatoms  128 Green algae  27 others  10 Protozoans  33 Rotifers  17 Crustaceans  73 Families of insects in Zoobenthos  52 Molluscs  25 Annelids  16 Arthopods  13 species of Hard and Soft turtles  Gangatic Ghariyals  Gangatic Dolphins Ganga River Supports/ Total Biodiversity

24.  Large obstruction in water flow by constructing Dams and barrages leaving no space for river to perform its functions  Pouring filth and decomposable/ non-decomposable, even toxic substances in the river which adversely effect and destroy aquatic life  Sufficient dilution not available for river to assimilate and purify itself  Making river banks dirty and water so foul that society ceases to reach the river for bathing, recreation or rituals Causes of River Degradation Necessary actions for maintaining desired river conditions  Ganga River ecosystem is by and large and altered ecosystem - No reference condition is available  Intervention to improve the abiotic components and maintain water quality  Pollution prevention and reducing water abstraction  Identification of fish species at critical sites  Maintenance of indigenous species of flora and fauna (P/R ratio, saprobity index)  Maintenance of ecological flows and substrate conditions for survival and breading of identified indicator species  Average fish catch during 1950-1980 could be set as a target  Other targets could be 1. Appearance of Dolphins with suggested frequency of sighting 2. Indian Major carps 3. Native and sensitive species of stone/ cadis and may flies 4. Ratio of Diatoms/ Green Algae/ Blue Green Algae