1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 has been
aimed to fulfill the water quality requirement of designated-best-uses
of all the natural aquatic resources. Loss of bio-diversity on account
of degradation of habitat has become the cause of major concern in
recent years. Central Pollution Control Board, while executing the
nation wide responsibility for water quality monitoring and management
has established water quality monitoring network in the country. The
Water Quality Monitoring Network constitutes 784 monitoring stations
located on various water bodies all over the country. However, wetland
areas have not been included as part of regular water quality monitoring
network in the country. Keeping in view the importance of water quality
of wetland areas, Central Pollution Control Board has initiated studies
on Bio-monitoring of selected wetlands in wildlife habitats of the
country. Bio monitoring of wetlands in wild life sanctuaries has been
considered as most suitable measure to evaluate the health of wildlife
ecosystem. Further, the monitoring of environmental variables will
be immensely helpful in protecting and restoring the ecological status
in these threatened habitats.
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