Renuka and Pong Ramsar wetlands, Himachal Pradesh
- 36locations sampled at Renuka
PSI worked on the conservation and management of Renuka and Pong Ramsar wetlands in Himachal Pradesh with support from GIZ. The work combined water quality assessment with stakeholder consultations to understand the challenges facing these wetlands and identify ways to protect them.
For the Renuka study, PSI in collaboration with ACWADAM and IIT Roorkee assessed the physico-chemical and bacteriological properties of water samples collected from 36 locations. The findings revealed the presence of faecal and total coliform bacteria in Renuka Lake and Parashuram Tal, pointing to contamination from domestic sewage and animal waste.
Higher nitrate levels at some sites also suggested that nearby agricultural activities could be contributing to the lake’s nutrient enrichment. Alongside this scientific assessment, PSI worked with GIZ and CEDA to develop a consultation process for the Renuka and Pong wetlands, involving stakeholders at the local, district and state levels.
The team finalised a plan and methodology for these consultations to understand how different stakeholders use and bring their perspectives into management planning. Together, these two initiatives helped establish a basis for wetland management that draws on scientific evidence and local stakeholders’ knowledge and priorities.
