Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: The current research focuses on the quality of the Jhelum River, which flows through Srinagar in Kashmir, India. Over the course of eight months (April to November 2021), water samples from various points along the river were collected and tested to assess the water quality based on several factors such as turbidity, taste and odour, total hardness, arsenic, nitrate, sulphate, fluoride, iron, pH, and biological parameters. 7.7 was the highest pH value ever recorded. The lowest turbidity found was 0.9, while the maximum turbidity found was 19.7. The waters had a hardness of 250 mg/l and 375 mg/l, respectively. In majority of the criteria, the water at the site where the wastes were released into the river was found to be more contaminated than the water at the other sites. Almost all the parameters were within the permissible limits except for biological contamination. The focused group discussion and interaction with locals showed an indication of people's knowledge, attitudes, and awareness about water quality, cleanliness, and contamination in the Kashmir Valley. Environmental awareness is the most effective strategy for bringing about societal change for environmental health. Therefore, some awareness programmess were conducted based on the focused group discussions held. Some awareness programmes were held on a regular basis in the village in question. Further research reveals a shift in community behaviour. Because the process of raising awareness is inclusive, it engages people from all walks of life. Meanwhile, adolescent girls, children, mothers, and the elderly are the true beneficiaries. Changes in behaviour, cleanliness of the environment (environment), lower disease transmission rates, reduced social stigmas and taboos, lower school dropout rates, and effective menstrual hygiene management are all examples of the effects. In a word, we can state that successful implementation of environmental awareness programmes requires active community participation.
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4283314718