Study of Bacterial Diversity of Dal Lake Kashmir With Particular Reference to Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

The study on Bacterial diversity of Dal lake with particular reference to Pathogenic bacteria was carried out from April 2010 to March 2012 .The study area(Dal lake; latitude 340 07and#8242; N, longitude 740 52and#8242; E, altitude 1583 m) selected for this work is a multi-basined lake with many inlets and outlets, so an extensive network of sixteen sites with different altitudes and geographical co-ordinates viz., Hazratbal open, Hazratbal littoral, Nigeen open, Nigeen littoral, Gagribal open, Gagribal littoral, Nishat open, Near Centeur, Boathall nallah-I, Boathall nallah-II, Tailbal nallah-I, Tailbal nallah-II, Dal lock Gate-I, Dal lock gate-II, Pokhribal nallah-I and Pokhribal nallah-II were selected. Among the selected sites eight (8) sites were selected in the four basins, four (4) were selected from two inlets and four (4) were selected from two outlets. newlinesignificant. For the purpose to study the impact of pathogenic bacteria isolated from Dal lake on humans, a random survey of the 20% of population i.e., 384 individuals (64 families) out of 1920 individuals (320 families) who were engaged in one or the other activity related to lake water was carried out through questionnaire. The data of which reveals that the disease was more prevalent in males than in females under the age group of 20 years followed by age group of 21 to 40 years and then by above 40 years. The symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases were reported in 26 cases (6.77%) and other symptoms like high fever, chills, rigors, sweating and body aches in 17 cases (4.42%). The prevalence as per the source of water being used revealed that disease symptoms were more prevalent in individuals consuming lake water as compared to tap water. The results were statistically found to be significant. The most of the bacteria isolated were recognized as human pathogens, capable of initiating water borne infections, thus potentially water transmitted. The obtained data in the study reflect the importance of microbiological monitoring especially related to pathogenic bacteria. newline