Assessment of Water Quality as Provisional Ecosystem Service in Sacred Groves of Gwalior

Sacred groves (forest) are a group of trees or a patch of vegetation protected by the local people through religious and cultural practices evolved to minimize destruction. Provisioning ecosystem services are the material or energy outputs from ecosystems. Four sacred groves of Gwalior region provide provisional ecosystem services in the form of fresh water. The present study was carried out to evaluate the seasonal water quality status of four sacred groves of Gwalior from July 2013 to June 2014. Water bodies in these sacred groves were found in the form of flowing water and well water. Physicochemical parameters namely pH, EC, TDS, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, chloride, phosphate, sodium and potassium was analyzed using standard methods. Results of the study indicated that the fresh water supports the provisional ecosystem services of sacred groves and some conservation measures has to be taken to maintain its water quality.