Dehradun, November 4
In a significant initiative aimed at understanding and conserving the Song River, regarded as the lifeline of the eastern Doon Valley, the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), Uttarakhand, has launched a Bioindicator Project in the Song River basin. The primary objective of the project is to rapidly assess water quality, riverbank habitats and the impact of anthropogenic pressures through biological indicators. The study will be carried out under the guidance of former Senior Professor and Scientist ‘G’ at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dr V.P. Uniyal.
As part of the project, researchers will examine five key biological groups that serve as indicators of river health. These include aquatic macroinvertebrates, such as insects and their larvae, which are highly sensitive to water pollution; butterflies and wild bees, which reflect the condition of riverside vegetation and pollination processes; dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), which indicate water quality and the ecological integrity of riverbanks; and bird species, which provide a broader picture of the overall health of the riverine corridor.
The study will cover an approximately 80-kilometre stretch of the Song River, from its origin at Kaddukhal in Tehri district to its confluence with the Ganga near Tehri Farm in Dehradun. For scientific assessment, the river has been divided into three segments—upper, middle and lower reaches. A total of 36 permanent sampling stations, with 12 stations in each zone, will be established for data collection. Field surveys will be conducted during two seasonal phases between November and April, covering both post-monsoon and pre-monsoon conditions.
The six-month project will generate a comprehensive baseline database on the ecological health of the Song River. The findings are expected to help assess the potential impacts of the proposed Song Dam, mining activities and urbanisation on the river ecosystem. The study will also provide a scientific foundation for formulating effective conservation and management policies to safeguard the river in the future.