Recommendations

Field investigation, water and biological sample collection and analyses reveal of higher nutrient levels, signifying more cultural pressure due to (i) disposal of organic materials (flowers, rice balls, linseed, banana, curd, ghee, etc.)  after performing rituals, (ii) bathing of large number of devotees, (iii) washing of cloth with detergents, (iv) disposal of solid waste and (iv) washing of utensils, etc. The algal diversity analyses show the proliferation of filamentous cyanophycean members and minimal suspended algae. Higher biomass growth, productivity and spread of aquatic plants Vallisneria spiralis, Nymphae nouchali, followed by Certophyllum demersum and Blyxa species highlight of nutrient enrichment. The overgrowth of such species triggers internal nutrient loading leading to further enrichment and subsequent deterioration of water quality. Therefore following action plans are recommended to regain the sanctity of the pond and to ensure pristine water in the surrounding wells.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE:

1. Regular partial removal of water plants (kalé) twice a year: at least before (a) Ganesha / vinayaka Chaturthi (b) Shivaratri – water plants to be removed by uprooting (about 60% - not complete removal). A community program for regular harvesting of pond macrophytes mostly the floating macrophytes  will ensure adequate sunlight penetration that is helpful for the growth of phytoplankton’s and submerged macrophytes and also helps in decontamination through destruction of pathogens i.e. harmful bacteria. Moreover free pond surface is highly required for gaseous exchange and diffusion of oxygen into the pond systems that is essential for the survival of pond biota like fishes.
2. De-silting and sludge removal of the pond once in 5 years during the dry periods will help in checking the sedimentary P deposition and P flux that buffers the phosphate levels in the overlaying water.

REGULAR MONITORING

1. Regular water quality monitoring by involving school and college students (co-ordinated by the regional centre of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board)
2. Setting up eco-clubs in the education institutions (as per the provisions available with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board) in the local education institutions (schools and colleges)
3. Regular maintenance of the pond (through cost effective ecological methods) involving local NGO’s, NSS volunteers, students from schools and colleges - Mandatory Shramdhan  for removal of silt as well as partial removal of water plants (kalé) 
4. Safeguard cultural heritage  through the community awareness programmes (street play, painting competition among school kids, essay and debate  competition among college students, cultural programmes, etc.)

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT:

1. ‘HERITAGE TOWN’ status to GOKARNA considering the cultural heritage of the region. This entails environment management focussing on waste management, prevention of littering on roads, construction of public toilets (pay and use), construction of community bathrooms, arrangements for disposal of organic fraction (flowers, rice balls–pinda, grains, banana, etc.) of pithru karma rituals. Alternate arrangements for disposal of these organic wastes (flower, rice balls, etc.) and an arrangements to transfer these organic constituents to goshala (cattleshed). This could provide nourishment and also serving to milking cattle could be the best option of offering to the lord.
2. Management of watershed – arrest deforestation -Planting of natives species in the catchment /watershed. This could be implemented by introducing the mandatory plant native sapling by the devotees performing rituals (with a nominal fee to cover the sapling cost).
3. Celebration of the World Environment Day on June 5th, every year through large scale afforestation programme involving  NSS volunteers, devotees visiting the temple (on June 5th), students (from nearby schools and gurukula) and local NGO’s.
4. Provision of wetlands at the entry of the pond (which will remove the contaminants entering the pond) during run-off
5. Implement bio-manipulation (Labeo rohita and Catla catla– surface phytoplankton feeders,  Rohu – Column zooplankton feeder, Gambusia and Guppies – larvivorous fishes for mosquito control, bottom dwellers – common carp, scavenging fish – Labeo fimbriatus).
6. Restrictions on the disposal of organic matter (flowers, rice balls –pinda, grains, etc.).
7. Introduce ducks (at least four pairs to begin with), which will aid in aeration and control of water plants, algae, etc. Introduction of water fouls (such as duck and coots) will also help in regulating the macrophytes to lower extent and at the same time providing surface aeration. This will activate the food web in the pond and will ensure recycle of the nutrients across the food chain.
8. Plug cracks and other defects in the pond embankments. Timely management of the cracks and the fractures of the embankments will help in stopping waste water entering the pond.
9. Restrictions on the disposal of organic matter (flowers, rice balls –pinda, grains, etc.) after rituals of pithru karma.
10. Construction of  ‘PINDA KALYANI’ - Alternate arrangements for disposal of organic wastes (flower, rice balls) and an arrangements to transfer to goshala (cattle shed). This could provide nourishment and also serving to milking cattle could be the best option of offering to the lord.
11. Awareness among priests about the need for environment friendly option of disposal of organic materials of the ritual (as contaminating the pond water would also contaminate the nearby groundwater sources – bore well, open wells, etc.).
12. As this pond is also used in the temple, restrictions on the use of pond for bathing by the community visiting the temple.  Appropriate signage to this effect, would help in controlling the pollutants entering the pond.
13. Only the head priest performing pooja to the deities at Gokarna be allowed to take bath (without synthetic soap).
14. Ban on washing of cloth and utensils in the pond.
15. Deployment of NSS volunteers and Local NGO’s in raising the awareness among the public.
16. Environment friendly Ganesha festival celebration in the temple or use of silver Ganesha / Pancha loha idols and worship at home.
17. Complete ban on immersion of idols (painted, plaster of paris idols, etc.) in the pond. This will help in avoiding the influx of heavy metals and other contaminants getting into the temple pond.
18. Environmental awareness among the local residents about the need to protect water bodies (at least keeping the next generation in mind).