MANGALURU: Results of a systematic study in India to evaluate the environmental impact of small hydropower tasks (SPH) confirmed that SHPs, regardless of being touted as a clean power option, aren't with out their damaging effects, and have an effect on the flow of rivers, causing altered fish composition, and cut back the number of fish species.
The study published lately, was conducted in the higher reaches of river Nethravathi, which is a part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India Program, famous that SHPs were found to noticeably have an effect on the flow of the river, water quality and fish communities in the Western Ghats, and so they also observed larger human-elephant conflicts in spaces where SHPs were constructed.
"We are pleased to share with you findings from a recent scientific publication co-authored by a scientist from WCS-India Program, Shishir Rao. The paper titled 'Fish community responses to stream flow alterations and habitat modifications by small hydropower projects in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India,' was published in the journal 'Aquatic Conservation' on May 30. This is the first-ever scientific study in India to evaluate environmental impacts of SHPs. The study was conducted in the upper reaches of the Nethravathi river , which is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The results showed that the SHPs, despite being touted as a clean energy option, are not without their harmful effects, and affected the river flow and altered fish composition as well as reduced the number of fish species," WCS-India Program, stated in a release.
There has been a proliferation of SHPs in India, particularly in biodiversity-rich spaces such as the Western Ghats and Himalayas. As of 2012, there have been 1,266 tasks commissioned while every other 6,474 had been identified. SHPs were found to noticeably have an effect on river flow, water quality and fish communities in the Western Ghats.
Explaining the consequences, Suman Jumani, the lead author, mentioned, "Our study was one of the first to holistically assess the impact of SHPs in the forested regions of the Western Ghats. Ecologically, SHPs severely altered river geometry, water quality, and freshwater fish species assemblages. Waters in these stretches had lower oxygen levels and higher water temperature. Not surprisingly, these habitat alterations strongly affected freshwater fish assemblages."
The study published lately, was conducted in the higher reaches of river Nethravathi, which is a part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India Program, famous that SHPs were found to noticeably have an effect on the flow of the river, water quality and fish communities in the Western Ghats, and so they also observed larger human-elephant conflicts in spaces where SHPs were constructed.
"We are pleased to share with you findings from a recent scientific publication co-authored by a scientist from WCS-India Program, Shishir Rao. The paper titled 'Fish community responses to stream flow alterations and habitat modifications by small hydropower projects in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India,' was published in the journal 'Aquatic Conservation' on May 30. This is the first-ever scientific study in India to evaluate environmental impacts of SHPs. The study was conducted in the upper reaches of the Nethravathi river , which is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The results showed that the SHPs, despite being touted as a clean energy option, are not without their harmful effects, and affected the river flow and altered fish composition as well as reduced the number of fish species," WCS-India Program, stated in a release.
There has been a proliferation of SHPs in India, particularly in biodiversity-rich spaces such as the Western Ghats and Himalayas. As of 2012, there have been 1,266 tasks commissioned while every other 6,474 had been identified. SHPs were found to noticeably have an effect on river flow, water quality and fish communities in the Western Ghats.
Explaining the consequences, Suman Jumani, the lead author, mentioned, "Our study was one of the first to holistically assess the impact of SHPs in the forested regions of the Western Ghats. Ecologically, SHPs severely altered river geometry, water quality, and freshwater fish species assemblages. Waters in these stretches had lower oxygen levels and higher water temperature. Not surprisingly, these habitat alterations strongly affected freshwater fish assemblages."
Small hydropower projects reduce fish species: Study
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Reviewed by Kailash
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June 03, 2018
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