EFFECT OF URBANIZATION ON POTHARA DAM IN WARDHA DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA
1 Ankita A. Thakare, 2 Nayana S. Shirbhate
1.Research Scholar, Vidya Vikas Arts, Commerce & Science College, Samudrapur District- Wardha 442305, India
2. Associate Professor and Head Department of Botany, Vidya Vikas Arts, Commerce & Science College, Samudrapur District- Wardha 442305, India
ABSTRACT: Urbanization is a rapidly growing global phenomenon with significant socio-economic and environmental implications. This process fosters economic growth, infrastructure development, and improved access to healthcare and education. Water bodies, such as reservoirs like the Pothara Dam in Maharashtra’s Wardha District, are significantly impacted by urbanization. With an emphasis on water quality, sedimentation, and ecological health, this study investigates how the Pothara Dam Water is affected by the fast urbanization of the area. Higher levels of pollution from industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff have resulted from increased urban activity in the dam’s catchment region. Sedimentation rates have also grown due to soil erosion from construction and deforestation, diminishing the dam’s storage capacity and affecting water supply. These release of sewage and industrial trash has had a severe negative impact on rivers like, Pothara river, At various sampling sites of Pothara Dam, water quality parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), TDS, temperature, sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) were analyzed to track changes in the basin’s water quality.The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable urban planning, effective waste management, and conservation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization on the Pothara Dam. This research underscores the importance of balancing urban development with environmental preservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of vital water resources.
Keyword: Urbanization, Pothara Dam, Water Quality, Sedimentation, Ecosystem Health, Sustainable Planning, Pollution.
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2504I5VXIIIP0007
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