Water quality assessment of Mansbal Lake in Kashmir

ABSTRACT Manasbal Lake is one of the hotspots of Kashmir tourism. Due to the negligence of concerned authorities and the greediness of humans residing proximate, the ecosystem of the lake is highly disturbed and compromised. The current study emphasizes and attempts to analyze the various significant physico-chemical parameters of the lake. For studying overall pollution load on water of the lake, water samples were collected from five different sites of lake. These samples were collected on monthly basis for seven consecutive months by following the methods given in. Fourteen important physico-chemical parameters were analyzed and results were recorded. The study was made to spectacle the involvement of humans in the degradation of natural resources and the impact of pollution on the population residing in the nearby areas. The population of catchment area is directly or indirectly dependent on this lake for livelihood. So, it is necessary to conserve this natural resource for the present and future generations to survive and fulfill their daily needs. Some of the studied parameters revealed that the sites where human settlements are existing are contaminated showing worse water quality. Almost 80% of the lake seems covered under the substantial amount of weeds, because of the presence of a high concentration of nutrients and other favorable elements and heavy eutrophication. Some toxic elements in excess quantity were found in the water of the lake, which makes it unsuitable for domestic uses. Sewage outlets, agricultural drainage, waste disposal, shrinking up of land, and practice of stone quarrying and functioning of limestone kilns in catchments are recognized as the main sources of pollution in the Manasbal lake. The present study impulses the requirement of curative procedures for purification and protection of this lake.