Published Paper Details:

The diversity patterns and occurrence of benthic macro invertebrate families encountered in river Manimala which originates from the Muthavara hills near Peermade in Idukki district of the Kerala state was an approach conceded based on the knowledge of benthic macro invertebrates. The primary objective of this study was to identify the fresh water benthic macro invertebrates and to find out the biological water quality using BWQC developed by Central Pollution Control Board (New Delhi). The study also emphasizes the anthropogenic influences especially of pollution-sensitive organisms belonging to the order Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Tricoptera. A total of 163 individuals of aquatic insects belonging to 51 genera, 43 families were collected from the five stations of the River Manimala during pre monsoon and monsoon period. The highest species richness and abundance was observed in Elamkaadu top (Station 1) followed by Andayaar (Station 2) during monsoon and premonsoon respectively. The most dominant taxa found in this river were Cheumatopsyche. The rivers in Kerala is undergoing serious anthropogenic effects, the need to conserve the pollution sensitive organisms bears prime significance. Temporal/biological factors could have conceivably diminished the density of benthic communities, however the ever increasing population load, wetland filling, sand mining, encroachment of river banks have adversely affected the diversity of life forms.