Impact Of Anthropogenic Activities On Water Quality: A Comparative Study From Village Sui, Lohaghat, Champawat District (Uttarakhand)

Abstract

Water quality is an important determinant of human health and environmental sustainability. This study compares seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters of two water bodies in the village Sui located in Lohaghat, Champawat district (Uttarakhand), one situated within a forested area and the other adjacent to a human settlement. Sampling was conducted during the Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon, and Post-Monsoon seasons (2023-25) to evaluate differences in water quality due to natural and anthropogenic factors. Fifteen major parameters Total Hardness (TH), Turbidity (TB), Alkalinity (ALK), Chloride (Cl), Nitrate (Nt), Iron (Fe), Fluoride (F), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Temperature, Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Color, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were measured using standard field and laboratory techniques. The results indicate significant seasonal variation, within the forest water body exhibiting an improved water quality, less turbidity, and reduced dissolved impurities compared to the human-influenced site, which recorded elevated TDS, turbidity, and nitrate levels, suggesting contamination risks. The present study emphasizes the need for sustainable water management practices to conserve the conventional water bodies like Naulas and Dharas found in the Kumaun Himalayas, which are under threat from anthropogenic pressures. The present study also provides a baseline for future studies on human activity impacts on mountain water systems and the necessity of preserving traditional water bodies for long-term water security and sustainability.