International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

The present study evaluated the ecology and diversity of zooplankton in the Godavari River at Kopargaon (MH), India. As the longest river of the state, it supports a wide range of diverse aquatic habitats. However, water quality has deteriorated due to unsustainable anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of water pollution on the zooplankton community. The investigation was conducted over one year, from May 2022 to April 2023. A total of 21 zooplankton species were recorded, with Rotifera contributing 52.39%, followed by Cladocera (23.8%), Copepoda (19.05%), and Ostracoda (4.76%). The occurrence of pollution-tolerant species suggests eutrophic conditions in the river. The Simpson’s diversity index (1−D) ranged from 0.68 to 0.70, whereas the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) varied from 1.25 during the monsoon to 1.28 in the post-monsoon season, indicating slight to moderate diversity within the zooplankton community. Effective management of industrial effluent discharge and proper functioning of sewage treatment plants are essential for the conservation and sustainability of aquatic biodiversity. The study provides inadequate baseline data for further research and policymakers.

Shashikant Trimbak Hon, Sandesh Pandurang Jagdale,"Study on Zooplankton Community Structure and Diversity Indices of River Godavari at Kopargaon (MH), India" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(3): Page(2726-2733) May-June 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.