44
P. Vasistha and R. Ganguly
single sampling program has been carried till now as a first step toward optimum
utilization of the water source.
Keywords Designated best use (DBU) · Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) · Lakes · Anthropogenic activities
1 Introduction
Water is an elixir of life. It contains many vital nutrient and minerals necessary for the
human beings [1]. Rivers, lakes, and springs are a few important water bodies [2]. The
water body’ quality is dependent upon the geology of the earth as well as the human
activities surrounding it, namely construction, dumping of waste, and agricultural
activities [3–5] which affect the quality of water [6]. As the water gets absorbed
through the soil layer, it adds into it a large amount of suspended and dissolved
impurities making it unfit for usage and in some cases non-potable [7]; therefore, the
physico-chemical properties vary both spatially and temporally [8]. The lakes being
an important water source are generally divided into either man-made or natural [9].
Water scarcity is considered to be an alarming environmental issue; therefore, the
focus lies on characterization of the lakes for improvement and restoration [10]. The
determination of physical, chemical, and biological parameters can be defined as
the basis of water quality analysis [11]. These values determine the present status
as well as forecast the future hydrological modifications in a water body [12]. The
purpose of using the water body is based on the requirements of humans, animal,
and plants around the place; in this context, the designated best use (DBU) is the
best approach which classifies the characteristic uses of the water body based on the
measured physico-chemical & biological parameters and comparing them with the
DBU table given by CPCB [13].
2 Study Area
The Tikkar Taal or Bhim Taal is a lake located in the Morni hills of Panchkula
district of Haryana. It has a height of 1,267 m and is a well-known tourist spot used
for recreational activities. The area has twin lake, larger one is popularly known as
Tikkar Taal and is about 550 m in length and 460 m wide with a depth of about
5–6 m at the lake center. The lake depth has been considerably reduced as per the
local sources due to constant influx of silt and sediment loads from the waterfall
which is a lake water source. The lake is managed by Haryana Tourism Department
and is used for boating. The geographical location of the place is 30° 42
N 77°5
E.
Figure 1 gives a view of the lake. The place is located at a distance of 45 km from
Chandigarh and 35 km from Panchkula into the hills. The population of the place
is near about 1200 persons with a variable tourist influx around the year. The water
P. Vasistha and R. Ganguly
single sampling program has been carried till now as a first step toward optimum
utilization of the water source.
Keywords Designated best use (DBU) · Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) · Lakes · Anthropogenic activities
1 Introduction
Water is an elixir of life. It contains many vital nutrient and minerals necessary for the
human beings [1]. Rivers, lakes, and springs are a few important water bodies [2]. The
water body’ quality is dependent upon the geology of the earth as well as the human
activities surrounding it, namely construction, dumping of waste, and agricultural
activities [3–5] which affect the quality of water [6]. As the water gets absorbed
through the soil layer, it adds into it a large amount of suspended and dissolved
impurities making it unfit for usage and in some cases non-potable [7]; therefore, the
physico-chemical properties vary both spatially and temporally [8]. The lakes being
an important water source are generally divided into either man-made or natural [9].
Water scarcity is considered to be an alarming environmental issue; therefore, the
focus lies on characterization of the lakes for improvement and restoration [10]. The
determination of physical, chemical, and biological parameters can be defined as
the basis of water quality analysis [11]. These values determine the present status
as well as forecast the future hydrological modifications in a water body [12]. The
purpose of using the water body is based on the requirements of humans, animal,
and plants around the place; in this context, the designated best use (DBU) is the
best approach which classifies the characteristic uses of the water body based on the
measured physico-chemical & biological parameters and comparing them with the
DBU table given by CPCB [13].
2 Study Area
The Tikkar Taal or Bhim Taal is a lake located in the Morni hills of Panchkula
district of Haryana. It has a height of 1,267 m and is a well-known tourist spot used
for recreational activities. The area has twin lake, larger one is popularly known as
Tikkar Taal and is about 550 m in length and 460 m wide with a depth of about
5–6 m at the lake center. The lake depth has been considerably reduced as per the
local sources due to constant influx of silt and sediment loads from the waterfall
which is a lake water source. The lake is managed by Haryana Tourism Department
and is used for boating. The geographical location of the place is 30° 42
N 77°5
E.
Figure 1 gives a view of the lake. The place is located at a distance of 45 km from
Chandigarh and 35 km from Panchkula into the hills. The population of the place
is near about 1200 persons with a variable tourist influx around the year. The water