Wetland Conservation through Water Quality Assessment and Willingness to Pay (A Case of Baral Danda Lake Complex, Kaski, Nepal)
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Department of Environmental Science
Abstract
The wetlands located at the periphery of Baral Danda Lake Complex (BDLC), Kaski, Nepal
serves plethora of ecological and socio-economic benefits, yet they are subject to increasing
natural and anthropogenic disturbances. This study aims in finding situation of wetlands
conservation based upon the assessment of water quality index (WQI) of Bach (1980) in three
lakes: Gunde, Neureni and Khaste of Lekhnath municipality. The study was carried out for
two seasons; dry and rainy from March, 2010 A.D. to July, 2011 A.D. The socioeconomic
analysis was done using contingent valuation method (CVM) for estimating willingness to
pay (WTP) in lake conservation.
The lakes were found to be critical pollution (II-III) during dry season and severe pollution
(III) during rest of the study period for Gunde and Neureni lakes. While Khaste lake
accounted to be severe pollution throughout the study period. The indicator tolerant species of
organic pollution recorded in three lakes also supported the results of WQI. Significant
differences in Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Free Carbon Dioxide
(CO
2
), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD
iv
5
), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Orthophosphate (O-PO
4
2-
-P) and Total Iron were observed for annual and seasonal data.
Whereas, no significant differences were found in pH, temperature, total alkalinity as CaCO
3
,
total hardness as CaCO
3
, chloride, ammonia and nitrate in comparison with WHO values and
Nepal Drinking Water Guidelines. The lakes were not suitable for recreation purpose due to
dense growth of algae and macrophytes. Neureni lake could be suitable for aquaculture than
other two lakes and Khaste lake; suitable for irrigation water. All lakes water could be
suitable for livestock watering.
Likewise, about 81.60% of respondents emphasized in lakes degradation with time and
appealed for conservation. From WTP calculation, it was computed that aggregate WTP per
annum to be around NRs. 391, 200 (US$ 4,400). This suggested the individual household
WTP per annum to be NRs. 397.56 (US$ 4.47) i.e. NRs. 33/month/household. The maximum
amount of WTP by respondents was negatively correlated with age of the respondents, time
duration of living in the village and total number of family members. Degrading lake water
quality and local peopleās strong willingness in lake conservation thus signified the need of
wetlands conservation in BDLC.
Keywords: Water Quality Index, Wetland Conservation, Willingness to Pay