Documentation of Riparian Biodiversity of an Urban River Stretch (cid:150) A Citizen(cid:146)s Initiative

Rivers in urban areas are facing multidimensional threats ranging from untreated sewage discharge, garbage and debris dumping, developmental projects to illegal encroachment on banks. Still few river stretches in urban areas harbor rich riparian biodiversity. Such areas need protection to avoid further degradation. These river stretches serve as ideal river ecosystem adding to ecological value of the area. The present study deals with documentation of riparian biodiversity of river stretch in Pune, Maharashtra. This area is a confluence zone of Mula and Ram rivers. River undergoes ecological processes during her flow and flood regimes. This adds to making the region not only rich in biodiversity but acts like a sponge for flooding water, temperature control, ground water recharge and creating green lungs for local region. Ecological processes include formation of an island, braiding of channel, rocky outcrops, riffles and pools etc. All this together create specific habitats for diverse species. This river stretch is part of flood plain area and has presence of live springs. The objective of the study was to document the floral and avian biodiversity of the riparian area with help of public participation with a view of protecting this area. During the study we have recorded about 70 floral species and 60 avian species at this riparian zone. The riverbank harbours a thick patch of typical riparian vegetation comprising of Pongamia pinnata, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium heyneanum, Salix tetrasperma and Ficus racemosa. Regular monitoring and observations at the river stretch are being carried out by a group of active citizens who are members of Jeevitnadi Living River Foundation. This vigilance, year round monitoring and documentation is helping in protecting the river stretch. Some major threats and stresses faced by this serene riparian forest are sewage discharge, debris dumping, encroachment and developmental projects. Point and non-point sources of pollution include release of untreated sewage from Sewage Treatment Plant situated at confluence, discharge of sewage and waste dumping by slum dwellers situated along Ram River.


Introduction
The confluence of Mula and Ram rivers located at New Aundh-Baner link road harbors a typical riparian

Documentation of Riparian Biodiversity of an Urban River Stretch A Citizens Initiative
Shailaja Deshpande, Kirti Amritkar, Shubha Kulkarni Shailaja Deshpande is a founder director of Jeevitnadi -Living River foundation, working for river revival through public participation since last 6 years. She is spearheading Jeevitnadi activities, especially the adopt a river stretch and toxin-free lifestyle awareness program. She is an alumnus of the Ecological Society. She has worked as a Project Coordinator at Ecological Society on a project funded by Global Forest Watch in the Panshet Catchment area. Email : shailajadesh@gmail.com Kirti Amritkar is a founder member and director of Jeevitnadi -Living River Foundation, an organization working for river revival. She is also a team member at oikos for ecological services. She has worked on biodiversity assessment, ecological restoration and environment education projects. She is an alumnus of the Ecological society and has worked as Project Officer in Maharashtra State Environment Department from 2008-2013 Shubha Kulkarni is a core team member of the Jeevitnadi -Living River Foundation and working actively at the adopted river stretch along the Mula-Ram confluence since 2017. She is an alumnus of the Ecological Society. She is running her own business in organic food section and working closely with farmer groups. Email : cshubha100@yahoo.co.in ecosystem showing positive ecological indicators (see Fig. 1). The river stretch is approximately 1 km with riparian area of 70,635.58 m².
The Area has riparian tree species like Karanj,

Abstract
Rivers in urban areas are facing multidimensional threats ranging from untreated sewage discharge, garbage and debris dumping, developmental projects to illegal encroachment on banks. Still few river stretches in urban areas harbor rich riparian biodiversity. Such areas need protection to avoid further degradation. These river stretches serve as ideal river ecosystem adding to ecological value of the area. The present study deals with documentation of riparian biodiversity of river stretch in Pune, Maharashtra. This area is a confluence zone of Mula and Ram rivers. River undergoes ecological processes during her flow and flood regimes. This adds to making the region not only rich in biodiversity but acts like a sponge for flooding water, temperature control, ground water recharge and creating green lungs for local region. Ecological processes include formation of an island, braiding of channel, rocky outcrops, riffles and pools etc. All this together create specific habitats for diverse species. This river stretch is part of flood plain area and has presence of live springs. The objective of the study was to document the floral and avian biodiversity of the riparian area with help of public participation with a view of protecting this area. During the study we have recorded about 70 floral species and 60 avian species at this riparian zone. The riverbank harbours a thick patch of typical riparian vegetation comprising of Pongamia pinnata, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium heyneanum, Salix tetrasperma and Ficus racemosa. Regular monitoring and observations at the river stretch are being carried out by a group of active citizens who are members of Jeevitnadi Living River Foundation. This vigilance, year round monitoring and documentation is helping in protecting the river stretch. Some major threats and stresses faced by this serene riparian forest are sewage discharge, debris dumping, encroachment and developmental projects. Point and non-point sources of pollution include release of untreated sewage from Sewage Treatment Plant situated at confluence, discharge of sewage and waste dumping by slum dwellers situated along Ram River. Jambhul, Umbar. Both the river banks have dense cover of vegetation with variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and grass species. Such three-layered vegetation along with presence of lianas, mushrooms, lichens indicate a rich riparian ecosystem. They provide an evergreen character with shady areas in that patch of river, providing habitat for aquatic biodiversity.
Biodiversity documentation work started in August 2017 (under Adopt a Stretch program of Jeevitnadi) This stretch of confluence is very serene with shallow and broad riverbed rich in microhabitats like islands, pools, puddles, few open patches and wetlands on the banks. Each habitat shows its associated flora and fauna. Deep black soil deposits along the bank with good moisture content were also observed. The stretch has some live streams, natural drains and a well showing its hydrological importance (see Fig. 2).
The bank vegetation also has dense canopy cover of trees like Mitragyna parviflora (kalam), Ficus hispida (Dhedumber/Kalumbar), Tamarindus indica (Chinch), Mangifera indica (Amba) with abundant undergrowth of Glycosmis pentaphylla and occasionally grown Phyllanthus reticulatus (Nilumbi). Fully grown Liana of Combratum ovalifolium (Piluk) on Ficus racemosa (Audumbar) tree is added beauty of the place and indicates the presence of old growth vegetation with good ecological value. A detailed list of vegetation is attached in Table 1.
In River channel, pools supports abundant growth of river crinum lily (Crinum viviparum), which is one of the important indigenous aquatic floral species. Its presence indicates better water quality and presence of suitable habitat. At Some places Typha angustifolia (Pankanis) and Cyperus sps (Lavhale) are found growing in clusters creating good habitats for nesting/ roosting of water birds. Islands in the river show dense cover of grass species along with typical wetland vegetation like Persicaria glabra (Sheral) and Cyperus sps. Water hyacinth growth is seen occasionally near bank

Riparian area
Liana (woody climber) in riparian area and islands. The area has also been surveyed for documenting bird diversity. Sixty two bird species are recorded with maximum number of Indian spot-billed duck and Little cormorant. Other water birds seen include Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Indian Pond-Heron, Common Sandpiper, Common Kingfisher, Whitethroated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher etc. (see Table 2 Presence of a colony of fruit bats which are important pollinators, indicates a good habitat zone. All this flora-fauna support river ecosystem and increases her richness.
Thus this river confluence stretch is very important for its dense riparian vegetation, associated fauna and hyphoric zone created by it.