Assessment of fish diversity in relation to water quality in Ramganga river, India

The Ramganga River is comparatively cleaner in the hills (upper stretch) than the plains (middle and lower stretches) where it faces fragmentation, water abstractions, municipal sewage as well as industrial pollution from the industrialized and urban districts of Moradabad, Rampur and Bareilly. The water quality index (WQI) values are calculated for four sites in the middle and lower stretches using 15 water quality parameters (pH, EC, TDS, TSS, TS, Alk, Cl⁻, NO3⁻, NO2, NH₄+, PO₄⁻³, SO₄⁻², DO, BOD, COD). Excellent water quality is not reported at any location during the sampling. Katghar in Moradabad (RRG2) has the lowest water quality and low fish diversity indicating a loss of suitability for sustaining aquatic life due to the destruction of natural habitats, increased level of pollution, and over-exploitation of the species. The habitat type at RRG2 is dominated by pools that are not suitable for sustaining ample diversity. Chaubari in Bareilly (RRG3) has a great ichthyofaunal diversity because of the variety of habitats at this site from pools to rifles, runs, grassed banks and backwaters which provide suitable habitats for sustaining a good diversity. This study will serve as a baseline study for the fish diversity status of River Ramganga and its relation to water quality.