Groundwater pollution in the Himalayan region is a growing concern due to the combined pressures of rapid urbanization, agricultural intensification, and climate change. The region's fragile ecosystem, characterized by steep terrain and abundant rainfall, makes groundwater highly susceptible to contamination from surface activities. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, along with improper disposal of industrial and domestic waste, has led to the infiltration of harmful pollutants such as nitrates, heavy metals, and pathogens into aquifers. Furthermore, unregulated mining and deforestation exacerbate sedimentation and disrupt natural filtration processes, intensifying water quality degradation. The pollution not only threatens the health and livelihoods of millions who depend on groundwater as a primary resource but also poses significant risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Addressing this issue requires integrated efforts to implement sustainable land-use practices, strengthen wastewater management, and enhance community awareness about groundwater conservation.
Gagan Matta, FMANU; FICER; FIAES; MRSC, London, Senior Assistant Professor, Hydrological Research Lab., Research Wing, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya (Deemed to be University), Haridwar - 249404, Uttarakhand, India
Anjali Nayak, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Environmental Science) from Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India. Worked at the Patanjali Resaech Institute, Haridwar, as an assistant scientist. My major areas of research are water quality monitoring, groundwater and surface water quality, air quality, health risk assessment, industrial and heavy metal toxicity, and science communication. Dr. Anjali Nayak has Published 16 research articles and 3 book chapters in reputed Scopus indexing journals and also given oral presentations at national and international conferences.
D. P. Uniyal has more than 28 years of Research and Extension Experience in the field of Biodiversity: Taxonomy & Ecology of the fish fauna of Northern India, Water Quality Monitoring, Remote Sensing & Geographic Information Studies Application, Innovation Promotion and Science Communication and Science and Society activities. Dr.Uniyal worked in the Zoological Survey of India (Government of India) for more than 10 years in various capacity and completed 14 major research projects . Dr Uniyal is currently serving as Joint Director at the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (Government of Uttarakhand), looking after Scientific Administration, implementation of Science related policy matter in the state, Science Popularization, Central Sponsored Scheme Division and National Academy of Science, India, Uttarakhand chapter. Dr.Uniyal completed 23 major Research and Extension activities Projects and Presently, handling 3 major research projects. He has published 58 research papers and 20 Popular Articles in International/ National Journals and Magazines, Conferences, Seminars and Symposia. Apart from authoring a book, Dr Uniyal has edited Eight books and has several scientific project reports to his credit. He has guided many master’s degree scholars and is currently guiding two Ph.D. research scholars. He has also delivered many invited lectures in various Institutions/Universities across the Country and Globe including Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy and at the University of Dresden, Germany. Dr. Uniyal is member of many prestigious scientific bodies including the National Academy of Sciences, India (M.N.A.Sc), Zoological Society of India (M.ZSI). He is an Expert Group Member in DST (Govt. of India), Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency, Uttarakhand Biotechnology Board etc. He is also a Board Member / Reviewer in various International and National Journals. Dr.Uniyal is the recipient of Young Scientist Award in State Science Congress, Youth Silver Medal by Minister of Youth Affair (GOI), Governor’s and Chief Minister’s appreciation for uplifting Science & Technology in Uttarakhand State etc
1 Water: A necessity for survival
2 Surface water
3 Groundwater
4 Groundwater: Water reserve for future
5 Global Groundwater crisis
6 Groundwater Contamination
7 Himalayan Region
8 Groundwater in Himalayan Region
9 Current Status of Freshwater: Monitoring & Assessment
10 Sustainable Conservation
11 Case Study – Introduction
12 Case Study – Literature and Research Gap
13 Case Study – Materials and Methods
14 Case Study – Observations and Results
15 Case Study – Discussion
16 Case Study – Conclusion
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