ITANAGAR, Sep 16: A comprehensive scientific assessment of Ganga Lake in Papum Pare district has been initiated by scientists and engineers of the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), Itanagar, with technical guidance from experts and academicians from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The study seeks to establish a scientific baseline for the lake and understand changes in its hydrology, geomorphology, water quality, sedimentation and surrounding catchment.
Ganga Lake (locally known as Gyekar Sinyik) is an important freshwater ecosystem as well as an ecological and cultural landmark for the Nyishi community. Scientists have noted increasing pressures from human activities, catchment disturbance, sedimentation and potential pollution, which could affect the lake's ecological integrity, water quality and biodiversity.
The lake also forms part of the local water-resource system, supporting groundwater recharge, downstream springs and local livelihoods. Its aquatic ecosystem and surrounding habitat further contribute to regional biodiversity.
CESHS Director Tage Tana said the ongoing investigation will examine changes in water levels, lake volume, shoreline characteristics, sedimentation patterns and watershed processes. Researchers will deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry and remote-sensing techniques along with field observations and other scientific methods.
Water samples will be analysed for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and turbidity, besides major ions, nutrients and selected heavy metals and trace elements. Stable-isotope analysis will also be undertaken to better understand hydrological processes.
The datasets will be integrated with meteorological and climate information, hydrological observations and catchment characteristics to develop three-dimensional models, bathymetric maps, digital elevation models and water-balance assessments, Tana said.
The study will also explore how regional climate variability may be associated with changes in the lake. CESHS has noted that the influence of large-scale climate phenomena such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on local conditions is complex and requires systematic scientific assessment rather than direct attribution.
The integrated findings are expected to help identify key environmental stressors and improve understanding of the lake's response to natural and anthropogenic changes. The study could provide scientific inputs for climate-risk assessment, freshwater management, biodiversity conservation and long-term planning for the protection of Ganga Lake, officials said.