WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN DIFFERENT FESTIVALS AT NARMADA RIVER, JABALPUR INDIA

Abstract

Rivers in India regarded as sacred from times immemorial. The  river  Narmada  is  the  third  holy  and  fifth  largest west  flowing  river  of  India  and  biggest west flowing  river  of  the  Madhya Pradesh. Narmada river is a holy river and considered lifeline of the Jabalpur city, so number of Ghats (river-banks) are found in all the cities from where it passes through and large human population is living near its banks. During different festivals very much spiritual and extensive Pujan activities are performed.  A lot of peoples come to The river for bathing, idol immersion, Jaware visarjan etc. They through some materials like food, waste or leaves in the river for spiritualistic reasons.  Due to mismanagement of human waste and contaminated water all the areas near the river are polluted .[1] 

The main objective of present study was to analyse water quality changes at some festivals. The water samples collected were analyzed, as per standard method parameters such as Physico-chemical parameters like pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Chloride, DO and BOD,  and bacterial parameter E coliform and significant changes were observed on the water quality of the Jabalpur region  of Narmada River. Increased pollution load deteriorating the water quality of river Narmada  day by day. Higher fecal coliform values indicating that river water is not safe for pilgrim’s health point of view.  Further, the study suggested that some eco-friendly water quality management strategy is required during all the festivals at different Ghats to achieve the aim of sustainable development.