Water quality and fish diversity of Rupnarayan River in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal

Abstract

West Bengal is the land of rivers. Human population growth and related activities on river banks have gradually increased over the years. Considering the very high ecological diversity of the water assets and the blessings of the river network, most of the industrial development in this state occurred close to the rivers and the population density is likewise very excessive in these areas. As an end result, rivers receive liquid waste like commercial discharges, municipal sewage and solid waste are also being dumped near the banks of the river. The water parameter test identifies the incoming pollutants and quality of the Rupnarayan River. Water parameter studied such as temperature, pH, BOD, COD, Dissolved Oxygen, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, sulfate, chloride and sodium were recorded from all Sampling Stations. During this study total 36 fish species under 24 families, 8 orders and 26 genera were recorded.