Water Quality of Himalayan Rivers in Uttarakhand

Rivers are considered a significant source of fresh water and are vital for society’s sustenance and well-being. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, these precious natural resources are being degraded. Melting of Himalayan glaciers and ice is the foremost source of water supply in the Indo Gangetic plains. Also, all major river systems of northern India originate from the Himalayas. The quality of river water in the Himalayas is worsening over the years because of changes in sediment balance, vegetation, land use land cover (LULC) accompanied by anthropogenic activities, inadequately structured sewerage, and drainage system, dumping of treated or untreated effluents, etc. The Himalayan glacial system serves an essential role in creating the headwater streams of the important Himalayan Rivers. Some of which flows across the national boundaries and some through the states of India. This chapter discusses the physical and chemical water quality parameters of some of the Himalayan Rivers in Uttarakhand. The total 11 parameters are taken into account to get insight into the water quality of a few selected rivers in Uttarakhand because of the scarcity of data on the Himalayan River’s water quality. Water quality parameters deliberate in this chapter specify that the water quality of Himalayan River is still good. However, developmental and other activities taking place in and along the rivers pose a threat to it.