CONSERVATION PLAN FOR GODAVARI RIVER

Abstract

Godavari is the second largest river in India and referred as the Vriddh (Old) Ganga or the Dakshin (South) Ganga. Godavari is one of t:re most sacred rivers of India. Pollution in this penimiular river is fast reaching to unsafe levels. The Godavari originates near Triambak in the Nasik district of Maharashtra, and flows through the states of JyfrMadhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Although its point of origin is just 380 krns away from the Arabian Sea, it journeys 1,465 kms. to fall into the Bay of Bengal. Some of its tributaries include Indravati, Manjira, Bindusara and Sarbari. Some important urban meters on its banks include Nasik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nizarnabad, Rajahmundry, and 3a]aghat. Rivers are under increasing stress due to urbanization and other anthropogenic activities, leading to their over exploitation and degradation. Like most other rivers, domestic pollution is the biggest polluter of the river Godavari, accounting for 82 per cent of total pollution, whereas industrial pollution accounts for about 18 percent. The present study covers all the aspects that are related with the conservation of the Godavari River i.e. water quality monitoring, watershed management, public participation and awareness_ The study covers about 213 kms area of the river Godavari which includes Nasik and Aurangabad city. At Nasik city about 7 stations are identified to know the polluting strength and according to that the conservation measures are done on the River. The Sampling point locatons are Gangapur Dam, Chikhali Nall, Someshwar temple, Rarnkund, Goda-kapila sangam, D/s of Nasik city and Saikheda village. Also at Aurangabad 6 sampling stations namely; Kaigaon Toka, Jaikwadi Dam, U/s of Paithan, D!s of Paithan, Wadwali village and Shahagad were identified to know the pollution strength of the River. The samples were co:lected and analyzed for evaluating the physical, chemical and Biological parameters in the environmental laboratory of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board ( PCB), Nasik and Aurangabad. The data taken from the field as well as the data collected from the Central Pollution Control Board were used to compute the National Sanitation Foundation Water quality Index (NSFWQI), which is mostly applicable parameter in USA and India. The results of the NSFWQ] of Godavari River indicate that its water quality is bad -Medium over the stretch considered. Based on the results, the existing conservation measures have been reviewed and additional measures are suggested. The study concludes that major cause of pollution is industrial effluents and domestic. pollution. iw