Anthropogenic Impact on Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Sacred Lakes of Himachal Himalayas: A Review

Glacial and freshwater lakes of Himachal Himalayas provide important ecosystem services and help to maintain ecological balance of the region. Some of the lakes of state hold a sacred value due to which thousands of pilgrims visit per year for holy dip. These sacred practices somewhere are affecting natural serenity as well as water quality of these holy lakes. The present study was aimed to analyze and assess anthropogenic effects on physico- chemical parameters of sacred lakes of Himachal Himalayas. The present study becomes crucial as all these lakes are located on high altitudes of state and are natural lakes. The study concluded a distinct contrast in variation of water quality in lakes those suffer more anthropogenic activities while the lakes those are away from touch of human activities still show lesser or no variation.