Cleaning the water, healing the Earth: our environmental services for Chenab River
Chenab River
Bioremediation
The Chenab River originates in the Himalayas, being a vital water source for India and Pakistan. Chenab River suffers from pollution due to pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and industrial waste.
In this sense, the objective of the Chenab River bioremediation project is to combat pollution and restore the river health. Using innovative techniques, we will harness the power of microalgae to remove contaminants and restore water quality, benefiting local communities and preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Improved water quality will enhance agriculture, fisheries, and access to drinking water.
The team driving the Chenab River Project is led by Dr. Haneef Ur Rehman from the Department of Natural and Basic Sciences at Turbat University. Adnan from the Department of Chemistry contributes as Field Researcher. Their mission is to develop the Chenab River bioremediation project River to improve water quality and create local impact.
Liquid Trees rigorously evaluates every project listed on our marketplace to ensure that we're surfacing only the highest quality projects. Our Evaluation Criteria includes a series of checks that every project must pass as well as a number of informative insights on project quality. You can see a preview of these checks below.
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Every river project listed on the Liquid Trees Marketplace must align with our Evaluation Criteria to ensure project quality. To monitor a river bioremediation project, Liquid Trees uses remote sensing and geographic information systems along with field measurements to monitor and assess microalgae biomass and nutrient evolution along the target river.
This animation shows the spread of diatoms after upstream inoculation and how they flow to Chenab’s River mouth.
The Chenab River has witnessed the steady erosion of its purity over the years. The consequences are water pollution affecting health, water productivity, and crop yields, leaving a trail of degradation in its wake. One of the significant contributors to the pollution burden was the unchecked discharge of partially treated or untreated wastewater and agricultural runoff generated in the river's catchment area. These pollutants, laden with contaminants from both urban and agricultural activities, found their way into the Chenab's waters, further degrading its quality.
The Chenab River bioremediation project was launched to rebuild its health and ecosystem. The ongoing project employs bio-based technologies and microalgae to improve river water quality.
The project benefits extend beyond environmental restoration, enhancing the aquatic ecosystem resilience.
Punjab, located in the central-eastern region of Pakistan, is the largest province of Pakistan. With over half the population of the country, Punjab's economy is primarily driven by agriculture and industry. Agricultural production contributs to around 68% to the annual food grain production of Pakistan. Also, Punjab boasts a thriving industrial sector with more than 48.000 industrial units, mainly textile fabrics. Punjab contributes 55% to the national income, employs 61% of the national workforce, and produces more than 70% of Pakistan's annual grain production.
Over the past four decades, Punjab has made significant progress in education and human development, and the province holds the highest Human Development Index in Pakistan, reflecting the advancements made in various socio-economic indicators. Through the Chenab River bioremediation project, we are committed to addressing environmental challenges, promoting local economic growth.
The Chenab River have a rich biodiversity including various fish species. Fish population in the Chenab River has been significantly impacted by poor water quality from which also poses threats to human health.
In response to these challenges, the River Chenab bioremediation project aims to use diatoms to eliminate water pollutants. By tackling pollution and enhancing water quality, we aim to create a thriving environment for fish and promote the overall well-being of the Chenab River.
The Chenab River, like many other water bodies, faces the challenge of plastic and trash pollution that accumulates along the river, creating an unsightly and polluted environment.
As part of the Chenab River bioremediation project, we are committed to addressing the issue of physical trash in the river by installing physical nets to trap and collect the trash from the river.
In alignment with Liquid Trees' commitment to environmental stewardship, this river bioremediation project support the achievement of these SDGs
This project expands the contiguous habitat of the neighboring national park eastward to the Seruyan River, which local communities rely heavily on for drinking, transportation, and fish stocks. This land preservation provides countless flora and fauna with a natural, undisturbed habitat where they can thrive. Central Kalimantan Peatlands protects the populations of five critically endangered, 12 endangered, and 37 vulnerable species (including 5% of the world’s total population of Orangutans). Other mammals in the area include the Asian Sun Bear, Sunda Pangolin, Clouded Leopard, Proboscis Monkey, Hairy-Nosed Otter and many species of bats.
Among the largest near-surface reserves of terrestrial organic carbon, peatlands are made up of organic matter from partially decomposed remains of trees that accumulate to a thickness of 10m+. These forests are also home to a wide range of plant and animal life.
Regular daily patrols cover large expanses of this remote peat swamp on foot and by motorized canoe to prevent illegal activity and conduct a range of biological, resource and social surveys. Working together with project communities has strengthened local ties and support for the project.
The only great ape outside of Africa, whose populations have declined 95% in the last century, is critically endangered due to human activities. Tanjung Puting National Park (adjacent to the project area) houses one of the largest protected populations.
Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) collaborates with the project on the implementation of forest monitoring, reporting and protection activities on the ground.
