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Surface Water Quality in Sacred Groves of Garhwal Himalayan Region, India
We have studied the quality of surface water in three sacred groves of Garhwal (Uttarakhand, India). The water samples were collected in March–April 2013. Results showed that all water samples conformed to WHO standards for potability. Water of Hariyali Devi recorded the lowest dissolved oxygen and water of Tarkeshwar had the highest hardness. The quality water of Ravigaon was found to be the best among the waters of the three groves. Water from deodardominant forests recorded higher dissolved oxygen, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness. The overall drinking water quality of oak-dominated forests was found to be better.
Keywords
Deodar and Oak Forest Types, Sacred Grove, Water Quality.
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