Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Phytoplankton Diversity of Rajaram Reservoir, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

The present investigation was undertaken to study the impact of anthropogenic activities such as Ganesh idol immersion and mattresses washing during the Navaratra festival on the phytoplankton diversity of Rajaram reservoir. The total number of phytoplankton recorded during this investigation is 120. Several of these algal species belong to the pollution tolerant genera. A few biological and diversity indices were also calculated, which indicate high level of pollution of the Rajaram reservoir. Therefore, it is an urgent need to conserve this reservoir for the future water resource.