A REVIEW OF THE BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF HIGHALTITUDE DAL LAKE, KASHMIR

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the bacterial load of Dal Lake, Kashmir over a period of 7years to understand the changes in the contamination levels due to anthropogenic or natural factors. Lakeshowed a considerable increase in viable bacterial counts when compared with previous data suggestingdeterioration in water quality over the years. Dalgate area of the Lake recorded maximum increase inbacterial load of about 7.1 cfu log 10 /ml in 2017-18. Heavy tourist influx leading to greater pollution wassuggested to be a major cause of the increased bacterial load, thereby leading to incidence and risk fromwater borne diseases.