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Peeyush Gupta
habitats, freshwater organisms have limited opportunities to move from disturbed to the ecologically healthy sites. Recent studies on aquatic systems showed that the decline in the freshwater biodiversity is much faster than the terrestrial biodiversity. The River Ganga harbours globally significant portion
of aquatic biodiversity, but recent evidences also suggested declining trends in its biodiversity. This is majorly due to high anthropogenic pressure
and the developmental activities that are enforcing the flow modifications, riverbank alterations and untreated city and industrial discharges, which cause river pollution.
Threats to Biodiversity of River Ganga
Many factors are affecting the ecological integrity of River Ganga. Eight main factors affecting the river habitat are identified for this loss: (i) Habitat Fragmentation by dams and barrages; (ii) Habitat Shrinkage due to increased water diversions and withdrawals; (iii) Habitat Alterations by constructing embankments, levees, guide walls,
etc.; (iv) Habitat Pollution by influx of municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes; (v) Habitat Invasion by alien river species; (vi) Habitat Encroachment by constructions in floodplains and river bed farming; (vii) Habitat Disturbances by plying of noisy vessels, dredging,
etc.; and (viii) Habitat Malnutrition by the trapping of nutrient-rich sediments behind dams.
Ecological Restoration
One of the main objectives of Namami
Ecological Dynamics of National River Ganga
12
May 2021
TheUnited Nations has proclaimed May 22 as “The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)”
to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force
of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year. Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality, the Convention recognizes
that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and microorganisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live.
River Ganga has been the source
of physical and spiritual sustenance of Indian civilization for ages. Counted among the major riverine wonders of the world, it is a mega diverse ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of relic species from the tiny and microscopic to macroscopic forms ─ from planktonic to benthic and free floating to submerged macrophytes. It is a hierarchical system of more than 2,000 biological forms, out of which more than 1,600 are at 1st, 2nd and 3rd trophic levels. Freshwater habitats are the most vulnerable habitat
in current global change scenario. These habitats occupy less than 1% of the world’s surface area and provide shelter to many Endemic and Threatened species. Among the freshwater habitats, river ecosystems are more prone for large-scale modifications due to various river course modifications and land
use along the river. River habitats are the embedded structures within the terrestrial habitats and the dispersals of the organisms inhabiting these habitats are limited within the river basin network. Therefore, unlike terrestrial