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Aquatic Species Monitoring & Report Publication

Acción Inspira International Foundation (AIIF), in collaboration with Tennessee Conservative, has launched the Aquatic Species Monitoring & Report Publication project, a youth-led effort designed to connect students with their local ecosystems. The initiative invites participants to visit nearby rivers or streams, observe aquatic species, document environmental conditions, and highlight signs of pollution. The findings are then transformed into visual reports to raise awareness and support conservation education across communities.

This first round of monitoring brought together young participants from Tennessee (United States) and Nashik (India). Despite being half a world apart, both reports revealed a shared reality: rivers that remain rich in life, yet increasingly strained by human activity.

Case Study 1
Harpeth River, Tennessee

The Tennessee organization undertook a visual survey of the Harpeth River, pairing ecological observation with photo documentation. Their goal was to show the dual narrative of the river: vibrant life on one side, and traces of pollution on the other.

Biodiversity Observed

Participants recorded the presence of butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, fish, and turtles. The images captured delicate moments:

A bright blue damselfly perched on a sunlit rock.
A butterfly feeding on purple flowers, its wings glowing against the greenery.
A tiny minnow carefully cradled in young hands, symbolizing the fragile bond between humans and aquatic life.

These encounters highlighted the resilience of the river’s biodiversity and reminded observers of the subtle details often overlooked in daily life.

Signs of Environmental Stress

The photographs also documented stark reminders of human impact:

A half-submerged tire, lodged into the riverbed.
A crushed aluminum can lying among shells and gravel.
A discarded plastic bottle surrounded by new plant growth.
The carcass of a turtle, its shell patterned like the stones around it.

Together, the images create a contrast between beauty and degradation, asking viewers to confront how waste embeds itself in natural landscapes.

Reflections

This collection from Harpeth River illustrates that freshwater systems carry two stories at once: abundance and decline. The youth participants framed their work not only as documentation, but also as a call to accountability. Every discarded object in their photos is more than debris — it is a reminder that human choices leave marks on ecosystems that do not easily fade.

Case Study 2
Godavari River, Nashik, India

In India, Inspire Actor Shriya Josh conducted an in-depth field survey of the Godavari River between Holkar Bridge and Anandavalli. Her study applied direct visual observation and habitat assessment techniques, producing a detailed ecological report.

Habitat Conditions

Water Quality: Turbid, with visible organic matter and reduced capacity for self-purification.
Aquatic Weeds: Extensive growth of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), covering wide stretches of the river.
Oxygen Stress: Local accounts confirmed periodic fish mortality linked to oxygen depletion.

Species Documentation

Fish Diversity: High presence of carp species (Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus cirrhosus), catfish (Sperata aor, Sperata seenghala, Wallago attu), and migratory species (Tenualosa ilisha). Alarmingly, the endangered Thynnichthys sandkhol (Sandkhol carp) was rarely encountered.
Amphibians: Skittering frogs along shallow banks.
Insects: Dragonflies, damselflies, water striders, and midges reflecting food web balance.
Aquatic Flora: Dominance of invasive hyacinth, with patches of native lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).
Molluscs: Shell remains of freshwater bivalves (Lamellidens marginalis, Parreysia corrugata), sensitive indicators of pollution.
Zooplankton: Secondary data confirmed the presence of rotifers, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, and protozoa — essential to nutrient cycling.

Conservation Concerns

The Godavari River demonstrates both richness and fragility. The main threats include:

Proliferation of invasive aquatic weeds.
Untreated sewage inflows degrading water quality.
Overfishing and decline of migratory species.
Reduced sightings of endangered species such as Sandkhol carp.

Recommendations

Shriya’s report calls for targeted interventions:

Regular removal of water hyacinth using biological and mechanical means.
Improved sewage treatment prior to discharge.
Systematic quarterly monitoring of fish, amphibians, and plankton.
Community engagement with fisher groups on sustainable catch practices.
Protection status for stretches supporting endangered species.

Conclusion

Her study concluded that while the Godavari supports high aquatic biodiversity, it faces intensifying ecological stress. Without integrated management and proactive monitoring, the balance of this critical freshwater ecosystem remains at risk.

Shared Lessons and Global Impact

When placed side by side, the Harpeth and Godavari reports tell a common story: freshwater ecosystems are vibrant but vulnerable. From plastic bottles in Tennessee to invasive weeds in India, the threats may differ in form but share a global pattern — ecosystems under pressure from unsustainable practices and pollution.

Through this project, young people are not only learning to observe and document biodiversity, but also to advocate for systemic change. Their work transforms local observations into global awareness tools, reinforcing the idea that conservation is both a scientific and generational responsibility.

AIIF and Tennessee Conservative will compile these findings into a comprehensive illustrated report, accessible to youth, educators, and policymakers. This publication will highlight the power of youth-led science and encourage more communities to join in replicating the initiative worldwide.