PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CONDITIONS OF THE HARIHAR RIVER AT MONGOLKOT UNDER KESHABPUR UPAZILA OF JASHORE, BANGLADESH (MS Thesis- Running-NST Fellow)

1.   Rationale of the Study

Bangladesh with its dense network of rivers, is one of the most riverine countries in the world. These rivers are the backbone of the nation’s freshwater system, sustaining agriculture, fisheries, transportation, and domestic water use for millions of people (Hossain and Khan 2014). Among the many rivers that traverse the country, smaller regional rivers often play a disproportionately large role in supporting rural livelihoods. One such river is the Harihar River, which flows through Keshabpur Upazila in Jashore District. It is an essential freshwater source for irrigation, agriculture, household needs, and ecosystem functions in the area.

However, like many rivers across the country, the Harihar River is increasingly under pressure from various human-induced activities. Unplanned urbanization, the overuse of agrochemicals, the absence of adequate waste management systems, and the unchecked disposal of domestic and municipal sewage are contributing to the river’s degradation (Rahman et al. 2012; Islam et al. 2020). These pollutants not only threaten the ecological integrity of the river but also pose significant health risks to the communities that depend on it (Karim and Uddin 2013).

Monitoring the physico-chemical properties of river water is a globally recognized method for evaluating water quality (Ahmed and Rahman, 2010; Sargaonkar and Deshpande, 2003). These parameters offer critical insights into the presence of pollutants and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. Variations in these indicators can disrupt aquatic life, promote eutrophication, reduce biodiversity, and render the water unfit for human use (Zaman and Hoque 2015).

Despite the river’s importance, scientific studies focusing on the water quality of the Harihar River are notably lacking. Most existing research in Bangladesh tends to concentrate on the larger and more prominent rivers such as the Buriganga, Karnaphuli, Padma, and Meghna (Chowdhury et al. 2018; Miah et al. 2016). Consequently, smaller yet ecologically significant rivers like Harihar remain understudied, leaving a critical knowledge gap in the understanding of their environmental status and pollution levels.

This study aims to fill that gap by conducting a comprehensive, seasonal and site-specific assessment of the physico-chemical characteristics of the Harihar river. By analyzing spatial and temporal variations in water quality, the research will generate valuable baseline data that can inform local environmental management practices. Moreover, by comparing the observed data with national (Department of Environment, DoE) and international (World Health Organization, WHO) water quality standards, the study will evaluate the river's current usability and highlight potential risks.

In essence, this research will not only contribute to the academic understanding of riverine pollution in Bangladesh but also provide practical recommendations for water resource management, environmental protection, and sustainable development planning in Keshabpur and similar regions.

2.   Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are-

·       To assess the physico-chemical conditions of water in the Harihar River across different seasons;

·       To find out the seasonal variations of physico-chemical conditions;

·       To compare water quality with the standard;

• Supervision