Impact of River Linking on Aquatic Ecosystems

By : Mogalekar H.S. , Jawahar P. , T. Francis , N.V. Sujathkumar , Karl Marx , Canciyal Johnson , P. Pavin Kumar

Page No: 247-256

Abstract
Present paper overviews potential implications of the proposed river linking project on aquatic ecosystems. River linking might have positive as well as negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, such as water quality changes, loss of habitat, alteration in spawning and breeding grounds, effect on fish migration, changes in land-ocean interactions, effect on fish ecology and biodiversity, impact of inland navigation and/or effect on fish production. Successful completion of the river linking project could result balanced distribution of water and increase agriculture/aquaculture production and generate employment. However, visualizing many relevant issues of the sustainable aquatic biodiversity conservation is also important. There is need of case specific studies, citing the example of the Western Ghats, Himalaya and Eastern Ghats which is known for its unique flora and fauna, and implementation of such construction-intensive project will lead to biodiversity loss that would be beyond comprehension.

Authors :
H. S. Mogalekar, P. Jawahar, T. Francis, J. Canciyal and P. Pavinkumar
Department of Fisheries Biology and Resource Management, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi-628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

N.V. Sujathkumar
Department of Fisheries Information and Statistics, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi-628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

K. Karalmarx
Department of Fisheries Biotechnology, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Thoothukudi-628 008, Tamil Nadu, India.