Journal of Environmental Research And Development
Vol. 2 No. 4, April-June, 2008

SAND MINING PRACTICES ON THE CHAMBAL RIVER BANKS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE AQUATIC ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY

S. R. Taigor* and R. J. Rao

School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior (INDIA)

Received September 21, 2007 Accepted March 20, 2008

ABSTRACT

Chambal River is major habitats for large number of aquatic animals. These animals use the river banks for various purposes like basking, resting and breeding. Simultaneously, these river banks are also used for sand mining purposes. The extensive use of sand mining on the habitat of aquatic animals has a directly impact on the population. The excess number of peoples, tractors/truck and machinery also disturb the natural riverine habitat. The important aquatic biodiversity present in the Chambal River are Gharial Gavialis gangeticus, Mugger Crocodylus palustris, seven species of freshwater turtles are Kachuga kachuga, K. dhongoka, Pangshura tentoria, Hardella thurgii, Aspideretes gangeticus, Lissemys punctata, Chitra indica, Gangetic Dolphin Platanista gangeticus, Otter Lutrogale perspicillata, 176 species of avian fauna, 47 species of fishes and various aquatic and terrestrial vegetation. The impact of sand mining on the aquatic animal biodiversity of Chambal River, Madhya Pradesh (India) is discussed in this paper.

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