COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ALTERATIONS OF HYDROGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF ANJARAKANDY RIVER, KANNUR DISTRICT, INDIA

Growing needs of human societies, had caused significant river alterations and ecosystem changes that had resulted in the contamination, biodiversity loss and general riverine ecosystem degradation. The Anjarakandi River is one of the two major rivers that flows through the Kannur District of Kerala in India. The river originates from the slopes of the Western Ghats bordering Wayanad and Kannur districts. The Anjarakandy river originates from the Kannoth Reserve Forest. The study of different water quality parameters helps in understanding the metabolic events of the aquatic system. Certain parameters such as Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Hardness, Chemical oxygen demand, Carbon dioxide, Salinity, Ammonia, Dissolved oxygen are necessary for the understanding of flora and fauna abundance and distribution with time. The present study indicated the variations of certain physico-chemical parameters of selected four stations of Anjarakandy River namely station 1 (Bavode), station 2 (Odakkadavu), station 3 (Peralassery), station 4 (Mambaram) with respect to two seasons. Salinity range indicates the concentration of chlorides. Moderately high level of salinity was observed in pre monsoon. Ammonia content was maximum in pre monsoon and minimum during post monsoon season. This may be due to saltwater intrusion and sand mining along the streams of the river. Construction of dams and impounding of reservoirs in the upstream sections for drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric projects are most common human interventions on river systems. The study points out the need for judicious exploitation of resources without any damages that would definitely interrupt the sustainable ecological balance.