The present study involved the determination of surface water quality index of tropical sacred wetland viz. Dakor Pilgrimage Wetland (DPW), Central Gujarat, India. The main aim of the study was to evaluate various water quality parameters to draw-out the water quality index for an assessment of a tropical aquatic body. The monthly values of pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Calcium Hardness (Ca), Magnesium Hardness (Mg), Chloride, Sulphate, Phosphate, Sodium, and Potassium, were analyzed to compute water quality index (WQI). The results manifest that WQI at site 1 (D1) was maximum (161.74), followed by D2 (159.96), and minimum at site 3 (D3) (157.19). The values clearly depicts that quality of water is completely unfit for human consumption unless and until strict and mandatory steps are taken to rejuvenate it. The suggestive measures to improve the overall health of an aquatic body is also discussed herewith alongwith conservation measures and management strategies.

The present paper highlights the preliminary investigation of physico-chemical characteristics of tropical pilgrimage wetland viz. Dakor Sacred Wetland (DSW), Anand District, Central Gujarat, India. As the existing water body is contaminated with domestic sewage influenced by anthropogenic interventions, an urgent need was felt to evaluate physico-chemical parameters such as Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Solids (TS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Free CO2, Phenolphthalein Alkalinity (PA), Total Alkalinity (TA), Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Total Hardness, Calcium Hardness, Magnesium Hardness, Chloride, Salinity, Sulphate, Phosphate, Nitrate, Sodium, and Potassium. The obtained data were correlated statistically to draw a conclusion about the surface water quality of tropical pilgrimage wetland. Moreover, the results manifested the need and prime necessity to restore the physical, chemical and biological integrity with viable and rigorous restoration and management strategies in order to maintain, preserve, conserve and to avert the ecological imbalance and disturbance in hydro-geo-chemical and hydro-biological cycles, which adversely affect the food chain and food web of the significant pond ecosystem. International Journal of Environment, Volume-2, Issue-1, Sep-Nov 2013, Pages 202-223 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v2i1.9222

The present research was undertaken at three sampling stations of Gomti catchment, Central Gujarat, India, to study dominance, interaction, and interdependence among biotic components (phytoplankton, zooplankton and aquatic macrophytes). The phytoplankton population was represented by 39 genera and 48 species belongs to family Bacillariophyceae (21 species), followed by Cyanophyceae (7), Cholorophyceae (18), and Euglenophyceae (2). In total, seven classes of zooplankton were represented by 36 genera and 39 species. Zooplankton dominance was reflected by class Ciliophora (16 species), followed by Zooflagellata, Rhizopoda and Rotifera (6 each), and Cladocera (3),and least by Copepoda and Ostracoda (1 species each). Of 16 species of aquatic macrophytes, 3 (18.75%) were abundant, 4 (25%) common, and 9 (56.25%) were rare. The indices (Palmer, Nygaard’s, and Macrophyte index) were determined to delineate the interdependent relationship among studied biotic components. Strong association was observed between Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, Ostracods and Ciliophorans, and Cladocerans and Bacillariophyceans. The detailed results of indices and interdependent associations among biotic components are discussed. The information provided herewith makes an insight for better understanding of the environmental aspects to be addressed effectively for the better protection, conservation, and management of Gomti reservoir, Gujarat, India. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i2.10528 International Journal of the Environment Vol.3(2) 2014: 175-191

The aim of the present study was to depict the preliminary data on occurrence of zooplanktons of Dakor Sacred Wetland (DSW) Central Gujarat, India. The samples of zooplanktons were collected from three permanent sampling stations for one year (June 2012 to May 2013) at 15 days interval. The zooplankton population was represented by a total of 36 genera and 39 species dispersed amongst Ciliophora (16 species), followed by Zooflagellata, Rhizopoda and Rotifera (6 species), Cladocera (3 species) while Copepoda and Ostracoda (1 species). Species such as Thecamooeba verrucosa Ehrenberg, Placus luciae Kahl, Spasmostoma viride Kahl, Cyclops sp., Daphnia lumholtzi G.O. Sars, were found abundant in all the study sites, while some chunk of species were classified as rare 43.5% (n=17) and the remaining were recorded as common.

The aim of the present study was to represent the zooplankton composition of Sacred Palustrine Habitat (SPH), Anand District, Central Gujarat, India. Collections of zooplanktons were carried out at three permanent sampling stations at fortnight intervals over one year period covering three consecutive seasons from June 2012 to May 2013. The zooplankton population was represented by a total of 29 genera and 31 species bestowed by 12 species of Ciliophora, followed by Rhizopoda (6), Zooflagellata (5), Rotifera (4), Cladocera (2), Copepoda and Ostracoda (1) each. Of the total 31 species of zooplanktons, nine species were abundant, 11 were common, and 12 were rare. The present paper discusses the population profile of zooplanktons in waters of SPH with suggested conservation and management strategies.