Performance evaluation of conservation plan for freshwater lakes in India through a scoring methodology

Abstract

The restoration or rejuvenation of freshwater ecosystem is being performed through formulation and implementation of conservation plans by the administrative authorities. However, it is essential to examine the performance of conservation plan for addressing the success of work done. The present study aims to develop a novel scoring methodology that could be widely used to assess the performance of a lake conservation plan. Scoring methodology is based on four major characteristics of conservation plan as: ecological lake characteristics, lake catchment characteristics, threat to the lake ecosystem, conservation and management policy. These characteristic terms are given a weightage and score values, which are used to evaluate an overall score of lake that represent the cumulative performance of conservation plan. This scoring methodology is used to assess the performance of conservation plan for four Indian lakes, namely Dal Lake, Nainital Lake, Anasagar Lake, and Rankala Lake. The results reveal that the conservation plans for Dal and Nainital lakes exhibit average performance with overall score values of 138, and 121, respectively. The water quality index of Anasagar Lake is evaluated as 25 that exhibit very poor water quality, while those of other lakes are obtained in poor quality range 50–70. The overall score < 89.5 is obtained for Anasagar and Rankala lakes, which represent poor performance of conservation plan. It is suggested that the scoring methodology could be useful for lake administrative authorities and researchers to assess the performance of implemented conservation plans, and to improvise the strategic interventions for conservation of lakes, worldwide.