Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Forest cover in the hill regions is essential to maintain environmental, economic and ecological balances. North Bengal accounts for 3,086 sq km (26 %) of the 11,876 sq km area of classified forests in the state and for nearly 5,000 sq km (40 %) of all land under tree cover. In spite of being a diverse and sensitive ecological zone, population, tourism and pollution pressures are continuously increasing in these areas. Two major eco-tourism spots of North Bengal, Lava and Rishop (27�?°5â�?�?4â�? N 88�?°39â�?�?57â�? E) and Neora Valley National Park forest area were selected for the hydrological and environmental study to find out the extent of anthropogenic and natural stresses in these areas. Domestic water of Lava and Rishop, Silviculture garden irrigation water, runoff water at Lava and Rishop and perennial spring water were collected as water samples pH, hardness and conductivity of the water samples were measured. Iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, copper and lead contents of the water samples were analyzed in Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (HG-AAS). Soil samples were collected from the silviculture units of Lava, Neora Valley Forest areas and agricultural lands of Lava and Rishop. Oxidizable organic carbon, total organic matter, pH, total nitrogen, potassium contents of the soil samples were analyzed. Most of the water samples are alkaline; the rainwater and runoff water samples have high conductivity and hardness. Manganese, chromium, nickel, copper and lead contents of the water samples are well under permissible limits, whereas most of the water samples have high iron contents. Additionally, most of the water samples were found to be slightly contaminated with lead; however, the reason behind it is unclear as there are no such industries in these zones. The forest soils of Neora Valley National Park have low pH with high percentages of oxidizable organic carbon (OOC) and organic matter (OM). The silviculture unit (Lava) soil samples are alkaline and have comparatively low amount of OOC and OM with high amount of potassium. The study overall revealed that Lava and Rishop is not yet under any major stresses, however, the source of lead contamination should be investigated for mitigation. There is an urgent need for implementing sustainable management systems in the areas for the betterment of the socio-environmental structures and for anthropogenic and climate change stress mitigation.

Biography

Sayan Bhattacharya is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Department of Environmental Studies, Rabindra Bharati University, India. He has completed his MSc and PhD in Environmental Science from University of Calcutta. He has completed two years of Post Doctoral Research in Department of Chemistry, Presidency University, India. He has published 25 international journal papers, 10 book chapters, 40 international conference proceedings and many national conference proceedings. He has received Young Researcher Award from Government of India international conference. He is in the Reviewers’ Committee of many international journals and in the Editorial Boards of international journals with high impact factors. He has over 9 years of teaching experiences in 6 colleges and universities of West Bengal.

Email: sayan.evs@gmail.com sayan_evs@yahoo.co.in