FreshWaterWatch 2016 field report restoring ’s bird paradises

Dr Kranti Yardi

Dear FreshWater Watchers, lake is also experiencing greater water hyacinth coverage and declining water quality. The increasing The team at Institute of water hyacinth and growing besharam plants will Environment Education and Research decrease the diversity of birds at the lake. No nesting (BVIEER) takes great pleasure in sharing the spoonbills bird were seen for the first time in three findings of your work. years. Although coots were seen nesting and a few of rare bird species visited the in winter There were seven Citizen Science Leader training days including ruffs, reves and bronze winged jacana. conducted with more than 188 HSBC employees attending. 80 participated in activities such as planting Our study is showing a correlation between the typha reeds. The typha reed is an important wetland phosphate concentration and bird diversity, mainly plant creating breeding areas for birds and animals. amongst storks in the area. The reeds have grown and are surviving in the lake water. Thank you all for your support. REPORT FIELD

This report presents some of the findings from your citizen scientist data and data collected by schools from the waterbodies of Pune city.

Mula saw a large number of migratory winter birds visiting despite the poor water quality. Our Dr. Kranti Yardi other waterbodies are facing the same deterioration in water quality with lake covered by water hyacinth. Amazon Riverboat Exploration—2012

1 HIGHLIGHTS

In 2015 we reported that migratory duck species were pH, nitrates and decreasing at both lakes. For the first time in the last three phosphate levels at years whistling teal ducks were seen at the Pashan lake and catfish up to 80cm in size were seen as well. Flocks of crab mula mutha have been at plovers also came to the Mula Mutha river, this is an exciting consistent levels from and significant migratory bird species on the river. June to November 2015

The environment Minister of the country was briefed about the status of Pune’s waterbodies and we have suggested that both of the waterbodies are protected as green spaces for the city.

The forest department authorities have taken our request forward and has asked BVIEER to make a proposal on the green space development of Mula Mutha. Three follow up meetings were held to prepare provisional plans for the area. -

School children trained on FreshWater Watch made a FIELD RE Water samples taken in in 1829 presentation of about about water quality and its importance total at their school exhibition . There was very good response for the students from their parents and the students will be presenting their learning to the public soon.

Your continued support is more impoirtant than ever. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BVIEER is thankful to Pune Municipal Corporation for giving the opportunity to carry out the Amazon Riverboat Exploration—2012 study on Pashan Lake and to Shree Firodia Trust for their support. 2 GLOBAL OUTCOMES Dear FreshWater Watchers, Thanks to your great contributions, we have reached 13,000 water quality datasets collected from more than 2,000 waterbodies across the globe. As this research gathers momentum I strongly encourage you to continue your efforts and refresh your skills on the FreshWater Watch website if you need a reminder. Your data are opening up new insights on freshwater ecosystems. You are helping researchers, water agencies, and planners better identify healthy waterbodies to be conserved and the degree of degradation that requires mitigation. Thanks to your measurements, Earthwatch and our partners are identifying drivers Prof. Steven Loiselle, to degradation of these fundamental environments. By using commonly agreed on University of Sienna thresholds for eutrophication — 1mg of nitrates per litre and 0.1mg phosphate per litre — your measurements show that, on average, 36% of the nitrate measurements Research Manager, exceed the threshold, and 27% exceed the phosphate threshold. Global Freshwater These same measurements also hint that there is an important correlation between Research, elevated phosphate concentrations and the increased occurrence of algal blooms. Earthwatch This builds a 2015 study that was published based on data from 13 FreshWater Watch cities. As more and more people joining FreshWater Watch, the programme is being used as an example of private, public and NGO organisations working together to improve the environment on which we all depend. Thank you all and make sure you stay in touch and keep testing!

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