SARRA Launches Bioindicator Project to Assess Song River’s Ecological Health

Dehradun: The Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), Uttarakhand, has launched a bioindicator project to assess and protect the ecological health of the Song River, a major lifeline of the eastern Doon Valley.

The initiative aims to evaluate the river’s water quality, riparian habitats and the impact of human activities through the scientific study of biological indicators. The research will be conducted under the guidance of Dr V.P. Uniyal, former senior professor and Scientist ‘G’ at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

The six-month project will establish a comprehensive baseline database of the river’s ecological condition. The findings are expected to support river conservation, rejuvenation and long-term environmental management.

Five Biological Groups to Help Assess River Health

The study will examine five major groups of organisms to understand the ecological condition of the Song River and its surrounding habitats.

• Aquatic macroinvertebrates: Small aquatic invertebrates and their larvae, which are sensitive to changes in water quality and pollution.

• Butterflies and wild bees: Indicators of vegetation, floral diversity and pollination conditions along the riverbanks.

• Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata): Their presence and diversity can provide insights into water quality and the condition of riparian habitats.

• Bird species: Bird diversity and distribution will help assess the overall ecological health of the riverine corridor.

The study of these biological indicators will provide valuable information about the river’s ecological condition and help identify changes in its surrounding environment.

Survey to Cover 80-Kilometre River Stretch

The research will cover approximately 80 kilometres of the Song River, from its origin at Kaddukhal in Tehri to its confluence with the Ganga at Tehri Farm in Dehradun.

For systematic monitoring, the river has been divided into three zones: upper, middle and lower stretches. Each zone will have 12 permanent sampling stations, taking the total number of monitoring locations to 36.

Field surveys will be conducted between November and April in two phases: post-monsoon and pre-monsoon. Comparing the findings from these periods will help researchers understand seasonal variations in the river’s ecological health.

Study to Support Assessment of Song Dam and Urbanisation Impacts

The project will generate a baseline database that can be used to monitor changes in the Song River ecosystem over time.

The findings are expected to help assess the potential impact of the proposed Song Dam, mining activities and urbanisation on water quality, biodiversity and riparian habitats.

The scientific assessment will provide an important foundation for developing effective conservation policies and long-term river management strategies.

Through this initiative, SARRA aims to strengthen the scientific understanding of the Song River ecosystem and support its sustainable conservation and rejuvenation.