Preliminary Investigation of the Water Quality of Wadhwana Reservoir, Gujarat, India: A Case Study

G Sandhya Kiran; Mudaliar Ashwini N; Usha B Joshi; Geeta Padate; Aruna G Joshi

G Sandhya Kiran Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002
Mudaliar Ashwini N Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002
Usha B Joshi Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002
Geeta Padate Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, TheM.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002
Aruna G Joshi Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002

Abstract

Wetlands are the ecotones or transitional zones among permanently aquatic and dry terrestrial dynamic ecosystems. One of such wetlands, Wadhwana reservoir situated near Vadodara city is being developed into the major tourist place for bird-watching by the Gujarat State Forest department of India. The existing water body is contaminated due to agricultural, domestic and wildlife wastes/effluents. The restoration of such ecosystem requires the base line information on changes in the water composition. This paper focuses on the analysis of physico-chemical parameters of the water for the summer season. The analysis showed that the lake was slightly eutrophic with high concentrations of alkalinity. The results highlighted the need and urgency to restore the physical, chemical and biological integrity of this lake ecosystem through viable restoration and sustainable watershed management tactics. Moreover, this study will help the state forest department in developing this wetland as an eco-tourism place.