Assessment of river health of Chambal River based on biological communities,India

Local biota and their ecological attributes is an indicator of varying conditions in aquatic ecosystems. biological diversity was used to calculate pollution index of chambal river,in national chambal sanctuary in madhya pradesh (m.p). the biotic species present in the areas provides robust physico-chemical interaction between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. the present paper focused on the biological community to assess the pollution status of chambal river,m.p,during june 2012 to may 2013. the average simpson diversity index and shannon's diversity index was found as 0.66-0.81 and 1.58-1.72 respectively indicating moderate health of chambal river. similarly,the average richness indices i.e. margalef and menhinick richness indices were found as 0.61-0.73 and 0.35-0.51 respectively indicating again the moderate health of the river. the diversity and richness indices is an indication of moderate river health which can be taken care by taking appropriate corrective measures to keep the water quality in good condition. the study indicates that water of the stretch is not fit for drinking but can be used for irrigation,bathing,aquaculture etc.