Reptilian diversity of the Bhopal Region in the State of Madhya Pradesh in central India

The wide range of habitats in the Bhopal Region of Madhya Pradesh in central India support a rich reptilian fauna. Conducting visual surveys, we recorded 34 species of reptiles (2 species of crocodilians, 3 species of turtles, 13 species of lizards, 16 species of snakes). Observations were made during the monsoon period from mid-June to mid-September in 2014-2015. Herein, we present baseline data regarding the reptilian fauna of the Bhopal Region

PHYTOPLANKTON DIVERSITY IN RELATION TO PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF UPPER BASIN (BHOJ WETLAND), BHOPAL, INDIA

ABSTRACT The diversity of phytoplankton and its relationship to the physico-chemical characteristics was studied in upper basin of Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal. The water quality of Upper Lake is evaluated which is one of the major potable water source of Bhopal city. The present study reveals the assessment of water quality deterioration and the possible reasons of its cause and effect. Physico-chemical parameters measured at two sites revealed alkaline nature of the water. Hundred and five species of phytoplankton were recorded from both sources of study. The recorded phytoplankton species belonged to the following five divisions viz., Chlorophyceae (49 species), Cyanophyceae (29 species), Bacillariophyceae (14 species), Euglenophyceae (12 species), Pyrophyceae (1 species). Key Words: Plankton Algal Classes, Abiotic Parameters INTRODUCTION The study of abiotic and biotic components is complementary to each other. The abiotic components give information about the type of a substance and its concentration, while as biotic components indicate the general effect of the substance. The changes in the physico-chemical conditions of water can be reflected directly in the biotic community of ecosystem. The study of phytoplankton gives the number of kinds and occurrence of phytoplankton in a habitat. Phytoplankton's are primary producers and act as food source directly or indirectly for fishes, besides acting as indicators of water quality. Upper lake Bhopal is arguably the oldest man-made lake in India, and was created by Raja Bhoj in the 11 th century by constructing an earthen dam across the Kolans River. The upper lake is a major source of portable water for the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Latitude 23" 12' (23.2000) and Longitude 77" 18' (77.3000). The basin has a maximum depth of 11.7m and storage capacity 101.5m, cm and the surface area is 32.29 sq. km. Extent of pollution that has occurred due to urbanization, anthropogenic activities; increased human interventions in the water bodies. Burgeoning population and water scarcity is affecting the quality of life significantly; India is no exception to this. Providing water in adequate quantity and quality for domestic water supply, irrigation and industrial requirements in all parts of the city is a tremendous challenge from several angles economic, technical management and social. Earlier studies on Bhoj wetland b