Limnological studies of Gudavi Wetlands, Sorab, Shimoga Karanataka

Abstract

A  study  on  the  water  quality  of  three  freshwater  ponds  connected  in  series  at  Gudavi  village  near  Shimoga is studied  for of  physico-chemical   factors.  The  DO  was 8.81  mg/l  in Kallambi,  3.84  mg/l  in  Vaddekere  and  7.78 mg/l  in  Gudavi  pond  respectively  and  such  a  variation  is  attributed  to  the  fecal  (guano)  droppings  discharged by  about  12,000  resi den t  birds  which  in clu de  Egre ts,  Cormorants,   Ibises,  Herons,  water  fowl s  and  oth er wetland  dependent  specie s  in  the  Vaddekere  of  the  sanctu ary.  A comparati ve  study  of  nutrients  and  BOD levels  in the  three  consecutive  ponds  revealed  that  the  Vaddekere  pond  is  most  polluted.  Due  to  this  reason th e  water  qu ality  i n  the  Vaddeke re  was  altered  an d the  e mergen t  trees  on  the  pond  which  were  use d  for roosting  and nesting  by  the  birds  are  affected  and  evidenced  by  dying  of  trees.  The  death  of  island  trees  will lead to  loss of  roosting  and  nesting  sites  for Gudavi  birds.  Hence  an  urgent  action  plan  to protect  the  trees  or replanting  new trees  i n  the  water  bodies  by  creating  islands  eve ry  year  is  suggested.