Impact of Pollutants on Physicochemical Characteristics of Dal Lake under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir

An investigation was carried out in four basins of Dal Lake viz. Hazratbal, Nishat, Nehru Park and Nigeen basin in Kashmir during March-December, 2008 to study the effects of pollutants on physicochemical characteristics of Dal Lake. After physicochemical analysis of water samples collected from four basins of the lake, Nigeen basin showed the highest level of pollution than rest of the basins. Therefore the present study clearly indicates that Dal Lake is undergoing rapid eutrophication under the increasing anthropogenic impacts in their drainage basins. The rate of pollution varies from one basin to other. It was observed that pollution problem in the basins of Dal is mainly due to addition of major plant nutrients particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, derived from human wastes, detergents and agricultural practices. The organic and inorganic pollutant load in the Dal have accelerated the macrophytic growth which in turn has reduced the water quality and biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the lake and hence have reduced the recreational and aesthetic appeal of the lake. The condition of Dal Lake has reached a critical stage from the ecological angles and if proper conservation measures are not taken in future, the lake will likely deteriorate further and will soon turn into a dust bin.