BIO-MONITORING NETWORK
About
Biomonitoring network is an outcome of the training program on “Capacity Building for Freshwater Ecosystem Conservation in Northeastern India” organized by Shillong College, Shillong on 14th – 21st July 2014, in collaboration with Rufford Foundation for Nature Conservation, UK, Global Water for Sustainability Program, Florida International University, Miammi, USA, and Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL), Pondicherry, India.The participants of the training program included students and teachers from different colleges of Shillong, Meghalaya. During the training, the participants were taught how to assess and monitor the quality of water in the stream or river based on the presence of macroinvertebrates and also on the physico-chemical parameters. At the end of the training, it was decided that each college will adopt one stream in and around Shillong city and monitor the water quality of that particular water body. Dr. Sonali Saha who is the Co-Principal Investigator and Coordinator of Science Programs, Touro College, South Miami Beach, Florida, USA, and who was the main instructor during the training program is heading the Network. As a result of the initiative of Dr. Sonali Saha and also of Dr. Bashida Massar of the Department of Zoology St. Anthony’s college, a team is set up in the college in the month of August with the following as members:
The Team:
| Name | Designation | Department | |
| Dr. Bashida Massar | Assistant Professor | Zoology | |
| Mr. Rupak Nath | Assistant Professor | Fishery Science | |
| Ms. Ebelmon Nongbri | Assistant Professor | Botany | |
| Ms. Dawanlangki Shadap | B.Sc. Third year Student | Zoology | |
| Ms. Sumera Sangma | B.Sc. Third year Student | Zoology | |
| Ms. Ibalarisha Donshiew | B.Sc. Second year student | Fishery Science | |
| Mr. Mayborn Dkhar | B.Sc. Second year student | Fishery Science | |
| Mr. Friendly Majhong | B.Sc. Second year student | Fishery Science |
St. Anthony’s College Biomonitoring Network Team adopts Wahdienglieng, a small stream in Risa Colony, Shillong near Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
Rationale:
Aquatic insects vary in their sensitivity to changes in water flow and quality; the more sensitive organisms are thus good indicators of water quality and watershed ecosystem health. Flow alterations and soil erosion can lead to the disappearance of many insect groups. By knowing what insect communities exist in pristine streams in Meghalaya, one can infer the condition of other streams in the region.
Objectives:
This project has to meet the following objectives:
- Introduce students to the concept of biological monitoring of water quality, based on the presence, abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates (insect larvae and other taxa).
- To create a field guide of aquatic invertebrates in Meghalaya over a year (July 2014-June 2015), for identification at the order level and further levels (family, genus if possible).
- To be part of the Biomonitoring network of faculty and students from various institutions in the region.