J.

(1)Env. Bio-Sci., 2016: Vol. 30 (1):1-4 ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HYPORHEIC DIVERSITY OF RIVER

ALAKNANDA (UPPER GANGES), UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
Manisha Uniyal-1 and Ramesh C. Sharma-2
1-
Department of Zoology, Shri Guru Ram Rai (P.G. College) Dehradun
2-
Department of Environmental Sciences, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna University (Central), Srinagar Garhwal
[Corresponding author E-mail1: manishauniyal31@gmail.com]

Received: 25-11-2015 Accepted: 02-12-2015

The present contribution describes the importance of hyporheic zones in the functioning of a riverine ecosystem. After a careful
observation of four years (1999-2003) the factors affecting hyporheic diversity of Alaknanda were recorded and the measures to
conserve the hyporheic biodiversity have been discussed in the present paper.

Rivers are the part of an integrated aquatic system. Water
enters this system via precipitation, which then moves through
the surface and subsurface channels of a watershed. Natural
patterns of precipitation, movement of water and habitat
formation are influenced by human activities which may alter
the natural patterns1. Freshwaters of the world are collectively
experiencing markedly accelerating rates of qualitative and
quantitative degradation2. This anthropogenic pressure on river
in turn affect the inhabiting biological communities which
disturbs the ecological balance of nature. Biological
communities in streams and rivers evolved in response to a
suite of influences (including disturbances) that, within certain
norms of variation, have been largely predictable over thousands
of years3. Alterations to this suite of influences imposes
changes on the ecological processes and the biological
community of the ecosystem. Therefore, now it is of utmost
importance, to understand the structure and function of
freshwater ecosystems and plan for conservation and
management of aquatic biodiversity of these ecosystems.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In the present study hyporheic biodiversity of river Alaknanda
was studied for a period of four years (1999-2004) at three
different sampling stations S1 located at Chauras (550 m above
m.s.l), S2 near Srinagar town (545 m above m.s.l) and S3 5
Km downstream to Srinagar (538 m above m.s.l). All these
sites are located in between the lat.290 61' - 300 28' N ; Long.
770 49' - 800 6' E. The biotic component (Macrozoobenthos,
Microphytobenthos and Microzoobenthos) of hyporheic zones
at all these three sampling sites were studied along with the
factors affecting them 4. Hyporheic zone is the volume of
saturated sediment beneath and beside streams and rivers
where groundwater and surfacewater mix. The potential
importance of hyporheic zones to river ecosystems stems
from biological and chemical activity and strong physiochemical
and biological gradients that occur within them5 . The hyporheic
biotope is also known as 'self purification zone6. The hyporheic
zone is a refuge from both low and high temperature, as it is
from swift currents7. In this respect, stream animals which live
on coarse substratum are very well provided with a shelter
from the elements which is always close to hand, and is a
considerable compensation for many rigours which stream
life present. The buffered temperature due to mixing of
groundwater within hyporheic zone)8. The role of hyporheic
zone is to act as a nursery for the stream fauna. Insects lay
their eggs within the substrate of hyporheic zone. They spend
their larval/nymphal period there which explains its role as a
hatchery or nursery to aquatic insects9. Hyporheic zones serve
as a refuge for stream biota, buffering them from disturbances
in discharge and food supply (Fig-1). Interstitial organisms
residing the hyporheic zone are responsible for the
mineralization of organic matter which accumulates within
interstitial spaces10. Protozoans play a role in maintaining
hydraulic conductivity during bio treatment of readily degraded
organic contaminants11. Crustaceans maintain the porosity of
the substrate 12. These interstitial organisms are also
instrumental for improving the water quality of the river through
the process of filtration, sedimentation, deposition and
decomposition. Hyporheic biogeochemical processes strongly
influence surfacewater quality and decomposition by hyporheos
may double the ability of streams to eliminate the organic
waters13.

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 MANAGEMENT OF HYPORHEIC DIVERSITY (2)

Flood plain
Terrace

Flood plain Hyporheic Zone

Fig. 1. 1- Location of three major types of hyporheic zones beneath and adjacent to a river (single ended arrows
symbolize subsurface flow paths. Double ended arrows indicate mixing with adjacent water masses).
Source: R. T. Edwards (1998)
FACTORS INFLUENCING HYPORHEIC BIODIVERSITY OF dam constructions, etc.) in the catchment area of the river
ALAKNANDA RIVER Alakananda, excessive soil erosion and heavy sedimentation
have become the com m on problems 15 . This heavy
Some natural and anthropogenic factors influencing Hyporheic
sedimentation or thick blanketing of water by large amount of
biodiversity of Alaknanda have been identified. The natural
sediments has caused a severe damage to the biotic
factors influencing the Hyporheic diversity of hillstream
components of the river Alakananda.
Alaknanda are as follows:
Some anthropogenic influences on the epigeic as well
1. Frequent flash floods: Frequent flash floods are the
as hypogeic organisms of the riverine ecosystem of
common phenomena in the river Alakananda. The flash floods
Alaknanda have been identified:
of 1871, 1971 and 2013 in the river Alakananda are famous
which have created a havoc in the entire watershed of the river. 1. Extraction of substrata : Extraction of substrata (boulders,
Frequent cloud bursts and heavy downpour in the upper reaches cobbles, pebbles and sand) from the river bank for building
have also caused flash floods in the river Alakananda. purposes is very common in hills. Bottom substrata play an
important role in determining the type and occurrence of flora
2. River blockades: Blockade formations due to heavy
and fauna in surface as well as subsurface zones. The removal
landslides are also the common feature in the hillstreams14.
of substrata disturbs the habitat of benthic organisms thus
River blockades in the Birahi and Madmaheswar streams, the
disturbs the entire food web of aquatic organisms. As the coarse
tributaries of Alakananda, have caused the severe damage to
substrata are removed, which results in compact substrata on
the riverine ecosystems and its aquatic and hyporheic
the river bank which reduces the porosity of substrata thus
biodiversity.
affecting the hyporheic organisms adversely.
3. Soil erosion and heavy sedimentation: As a
2. Deforestation : Riparian vegetation (forest cover on river
consequences of many anthropogenic activities (deforestation,
bank) plays an important role in maintaining the stability of
agriculture, extraction of building material, road construction,
the riverine ecosystems. The riparian vegetation are one of the

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 (3) UNIYAL AND SHARMA
biospheric most complex ecological systems and play an
important role in maintaining the vitality of the landscape and
its rivers. Riparian vegetation anchors the substrata of the bank
and prevent their flow with surface run-off during heavy
precipitation and flash flood, which results in increased turbidity
of the river thus disturbing whole aquatic life16 . The riparian
vegetation was completely absent from the second and third
sites of the study area. Whereas, at the first site, some
plantation has been made by the H.N.B. Garhwal university.
3. Disposal of sewage on the river bank : Disposal of
municipal sewage into the river Alaknanda was observed.
Which is creating a lot of pollution on the river bank as well as
in river water. Thus, it is adversely influencing surface as well
as hyporheic fauna .
4. Landfilling of solid wastes on the river bank : Landfilling
of solid wastes (domestic, hospital, etc.) was noticed near
the bank of river Alaknanda which is adversely affecting
hyporheic as well as surfacewater biodiversity .
5. Diffuse Pollution : Diffuse pollution is common in the
watershed of Alaknanda, as a consequence of agricultural
activities, heavy run-off mixes a lot of soil and silt into the river
system.
6. Use of spurious fishing methods : Some spurious fishing
methods (bleaching powder dynamiting use of icthyotoxic
plants e.g. Temru (Xanthoxylum armatum), Akhrot (Juglans
regia), Khinna (Sapium spp. and electric shocking) are common
in river Alaknanda. These methods are causing severe stress
to fish in addition to other aquatic (surfacewater and hyporheic)
organisms17.
7. Absence of River laws : In western countries, management
of rivers and streams is directed by various federal and state
laws. This complex web of laws directs and regulates the
numerous land and water uses that affect the river and stream
health18. Absence of such laws gives the freedom to people
for exploitation of riverine ecosystem in their own way. Thus,
the absence of river laws is the bottleneck in the conservation
and management of rivers.
Conservation and Management of Hyporheic Diversity
of river Alaknanda
Careful examination of all the factors responsible for the
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degradation of aquatic biodiversity of surface as well as
hyporheic biotope of the river Alaknanda, revealed an urgent
need for some policy formation. Therefore some suggestions
have been made for the conservation and management of
hyporheic biodiversity of the river Alaknanda:
1. Indiscriminate extraction of substrata from the river bank for
building purpose must be banned or controlled at once.
2. Untreated disposal of municipal sewage directly into the
river alaknanda should be stopped. It should be treated before
its disposal.
3. Dumping of solid waste on the Alaknanda of river should be
stopped there should be an integrated solid waste management
of the solid waste.
4. Spurious fishing methods should be completely banned
under strict enforcement of law.
5. Afforestation programmes on the river banks should be
launched. Riparian vegetation should be protected in the entire
catchment area of the river19-20.
6. Public awareness programmes regarding the protection of
surfacewater and hyporheic zones should be launched by the
Government/non Governmental organizations involving the
public participation21.
CONCLUSION
It has been proved that hyporheic zones act as ' Self Purification
Zone' acting as Refuge, Hatchery and Nursery for steam
organisms. They are responsible for the mineralization of
organic matter, which accumulates within interstitial spaces.
These zones are permanent sinks for organic and mineral
matter, waterflow regulators, filter and buffer systems that
protect the groundwater quality and improve the surfacewaer
quality. Organisms residing the hyporheic zones (interstitial
organisms) are also instrumental for improving the water quality
of the river by the process of filtration, sedimentation,
deposition and decomposition. Now a days a new technology
called 'River Bank Filtration' (RBF) is being used for water
filtration by constructing RBF wells on hill streams banks having
extensive hyporheic zones which work on the principle of self
purification on the river banks. One such well is constructed
at Srinagar - Garhwal by Uttrakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS),
 MANAGEMENT OF HYPORHEIC DIVERSITY (4)

Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) : 182.

and University of Applied Sciences, Dresden, Germany for 10. Valett, H.M., Fisher, S.G. Grimm, N.B. and Camill, P. (1994). Ecology
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drinking water supply22. Therefore, the conservation of
11. Sinclair, J.L. Kampbell, D.H., Cook, M.L. and Wilson, J.T. (1993).
hyporheic zone and its diversity is of great importance, if these
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 59: 467.
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12. Danielolopol, D.L. (1989). J. North Am. Benthology. Soc. 8: 18.
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13. Pusch, M. (1996). Hydrobiologia. 323: 107.
aquatic biodiversity23. 14. Sharma, R.C. and Singh, H.R. (1980). JOSHARD. 4:35.

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Development in Uttaranchal Himalaya, Ed. Rawat, M.S.S., Negi,
Authors are thankful to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, R.S. and Singh, M.,116.
Government of India for financial assistance to carry out the 16. Naiman, R.J. and Decamps, H. (1997). Annual Review of Ecology
research work. First author is thankful to the Principal & Head and systematics. 28: 621.
, Department of Zoology, Shri Guru Ram Rai (Post-Graduate) 17. Uniyal, D.P., Bahuguna, S.N., Uniyal, Manisha and Kumar, Arun
College, Dehradun for encouragement. (2006). Ann. For. 14 (2):340.
18. Massonis, R.J. and Bodi, F.L. (1998). In: River Ecology and
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