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Ecology and Water Quality Parameters of Balla Beel in Moulovibazar District of Bangladesh

Mohammad Ashraful Alam
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur, Bangladesh

Md. Anisur Rahman
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur, Bangladesh.

Tayfa Ahmed
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur, Bangladesh.

Krishna Chandra Roy
Department of Fisheries Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was carried out to assess the ecological aspects of Balla beel ecosystem in Moulavibazar district and the affectivity of the ongoing biodiversity restoration program from July 2011 to June 2012. Seventy-four fish species belonging to 21 families were identified during the study period. About nine types of fishing methods and one type of fish aggregating device were identified in the surveyed beel. Increasing pressure of illegal current jal (gill net), ber jal (seine net) and FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) was detected as the reduction of almost all type of species. About 24 aquatic weeds were found in the Balla beel, among them both emergent and spreading were 29%, followed by floating 21%, 13% were rooted plants with floating leaves and 8% were submerged. The dissolved oxygen content 5.22±1.60 mg/l inside and 5.70±1.38 mg/l outside of the Balla beel sanctuary were found to be congenial for aquatic life. pH of the beel water both inside and outside of the sanctuary were slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (7.0±0.68 inside and 6.88±0.43 outside the sanctuary). Lower values of alkalinity and hardness indicating beel water to be less nutrient enriched. The contribution of phytoplankton (79%) was larger than zooplankton (21%). The diversity of phytoplankton both inside and outside of the sanctuary was dominated by three group Chlorophyceae, Myxophyceae and Bacillariophyceae.

Keywords: Ecology, Water quality parameter, Balla beel

Location: Balla beel under Moulavibazar District

Start Date: 00-07-2011

End Date: 00-06-2012

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

To improve wetland habitat for existing flora and fauna and to protect wetland biodiversity.

Methodology:

Study site and duration: The study was conducted in the Balla beel under Moulavibazar District from July 2011 to June 2012. Balla beel was about 70.74 ha of wetlands in the eastern part of Hail haor near Sreemongal, a tea-growing town in Moulavibazar district. Balla beel includes three sub-beels Chapra, Maguara and Jaduria with surrounding marshy areas known as Balla beel sanctuary. Data collection: Detail survey on flora and fauna of the Balla beel was conducted with particular emphasis on water quality, biological productivity and biotic communities and status of fishery exploitation. Operationalized research was carried out through collection of both primary and secondary data, comprehensive literature review and extracts of local knowledge and information. Field observation and different experimentation viz. experimental fishing within the beel ecosystem outside the sanctuary, survey of fish market adjacent to beel, survey of katha and kua fishing, monitoring of water quality, recording of water level and fisher’s perception were made for primary data. Secondary data were collected from Beel Management Committee (BMC), Local administrations, Water Development Board (WDB), Department of Fisheries, Meteorological Department and related NGOs. Measurements of water quality parameters: Hydrological, meteorological, physico-chemical and biological characteristics of beel ecosystem have been monitored monthly basis. In each sampling day, water quality data was collected from both inside and outside of the beel sanctuary separately. A bamboo made meter scale measured water depth. A seechi-disc measured transparency. A centigrade thermometer measured temperature of air and water. Free CO₂ content was determined by phenolphthalein indicator method. Total alkalinity was estimated by using phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicator method. Total hardness was determined by EDTA titrimetric method. Sampling for fish species: An organized sampling program was run for a long time to get a true picture of the catch and catch composition of surveyed beel. The experimental beel were sampled during winter (mid November to mid February), pre monsoon (mid February to April), monsoon (May to August) and post monsoon (September to mid November) for assessment of aquatic lives’ abundance and availability. Resident fish species were recorded through experimental fishing in the deep pool areas in the beel and manmade kuas where water remains during dry season (early January- mid April). Local knowledge as well as fisher’s perception has been considered for conceptual knowledge regarding the identification of resident fishes.

Source of Information: Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2015, 1 (2), 198-208, doi: 10.3329/ajmbr.v1i2.25612

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In floodplain wetland, water quality influenced largely by inflow of water from the connecting river, the run-off water mainly due to silt and organic debris carried the turbidity in beel water. The basin and aquatic soil can influence the value of pH. The variation in the concentration of DO and CO₂ were mainly due to the rate of photosynthetic activity by aquatic vegetation and variation in the organic matter contents in the basin soil. The DO levels of beel water were not high but within the acceptable limit for the growth of fishes. Balla beel was found to be conducive to enhanced fisheries, capture fisheries and biological production as well. In order to promote biodiversity, the deep area of the beel must be declared as sanctuaries to protect the aquatic lives in all season. Strict enforcement of fish Act-1950, forbidding unplanned digging and sedimentation; avoid unplanned construction of flood control, embankments, drainage system and sluice gates, conversion of inundated land to cropland and controlling use of pesticides and agrochemicals in the beel and flood plain area would be some recommendations to protect the beel biodiversity. The above issue will be lead to ensure the food security of the people of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal, Online Circulation