www.forestrynepal.org Published: August 06, 2010 1 Impact of Pollutants on Physicochemical Characteristics of Dal Lake under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir S. Murtaza # , Malik Ahsaf Aziz *1 , Syed M. Fazali Ali and S.A. Hussain # School of Environmental Biology, Awadhesh Pratab Singh University, Rewa, M.P. (India) * Division of Environmental Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, J&K -191 121 (India) 1 asifenv20@yahoo.com Abstract-An investigation was carried out in four basins of Dal Lake viz. Hazratbal, Nishat, Nehru Park and Nigeen basin in Kashmir during March-December, 2008 to study the effects of pollutants on physicochemical characteristics of Dal Lake. After physicochemical analysis of water samples collected from four basins of the lake, Nigeen basin showed the highest level of pollution than rest of the basins. Therefore the present study clearly indicates that Dal Lake is undergoing rapid eutrophication under the increasing anthropogenic impacts in their drainage basins. The rate of pollution varies from one basin to other. It was observed that pollution problem in the basins of Dal is mainly due to addition of major plant nutrients particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, derived from human wastes, detergents and agricultural practices. The organic and inorganic pollutant load in the Dal have accelerated the macrophytic growth which in turn has reduced the water quality and biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the lake and hence have reduced the recreational and aesthetic appeal of the lake. The condition of Dal Lake has reached a critical stage from the ecological angles and if proper conservation measures are not taken in future, the lake will likely deteriorate further and will soon turn into a dust bin. Keywords-Pollutants, water, Dal Lake, Basins I. INTRODUCTION Dal Lake is situated in the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the northern most state of India, strategically surrounded by four countries, on the east by Tibet, on the North-East by China, on the North by Afghanistan and on the west by Pakistan. Dal Lake is a Himalayan urban lake, located in the heart of Srinagar (34o18 N latitude and 74o91 E longitude) at an average altitude of 1583 m. The top crust of the lake has also been observed to freeze when the mercury falls to -11oC. Early spring and summers are the wet periods when maximum rainfall occurs and average annual rainfall recorded is 655 mm. It is in this season that the snow melts in the higher catchments results in maximum discharge in Dachigam and Dara Nallah which flows into the lake. Dal Lake is unique in having hundreds of houseboats, which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Dal Lake comprises of five basins viz. Hazratbal, Bod-Dal, Gagribal, Nageen and Brari-Nambal. A perennial inflow channel known as Telbal Nallah enters the lake from the north and supplies 80 per cent of the water from a high altitude lake called Marsar Lake (Qadri and Yousuf, 1980). Within the lake basin itself there are number of springs (Kundangar et al., 1995) which act as permanent water source to the lake. During the past few years grave concern is being voiced by people from different walks of life over the deteriorating conditions of Dal Lake. Dal Lake has fallen victim to human greed as a result of which the entire ecosystem is rapidly changing (Pandit, 1993). The water quality of Dal Lake has deteriorated considerably in the last three decades due to hyper-eutrophication, illegal encroachments, organic matter dumping, sewage and other pollutants. Keeping in view, the ecological significance of water bodies in Kashmir like Dal Lake, the present investigation were undertaken to determine the effect of pollutants on physicochemical characteristics of Dal Lake. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present investigation were carried out during March to December 2008 in four basins of Dal Lake of Kashmir viz. Hazaratbal, Nishat, Nehru Park and Nigeen basin to evaluate the parameters of ecological concern. A. Physicochemical analysis of water samples The physicochemical parameters were analysed by laid standard procedures. B. Water sample collection and analysis Water samples collected from four basins of Dal Lake viz., Hazaratbal, Nishat, Nehru Park and Nigeen were analyzed for water temperature, conductivity, total phosphorus, nitrates, ammonia, silicate, dissolved oxygen, pH and total alkalinity. All the physicochemical analysis of water samples were done in the J&K lakes and water ways development authority, Srinagar. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A. Water quality changes in Hazaratbal basin of Dal lake The data presented in Table-1 indicates that air temperature, specific conductivity, total alkalinity, nitrate nitrogen and total phosphorus increased significantly. However water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, silicate and ammonical nitrogen showed a progressive decline. The significant increase in air temperature, specific conductivity, total alkalinity, nitrate nitrogen and ammonical nitrogen could be attributed to continued drought conditions while the