Role of digital technology in freshwater biodiversity monitoring through citizen science during COVID-19 pandemic

Citizen Science plays a vital role in monitoring biodiversity. However, it has been challenging for scientists to interact with citizens involved in biodiversity monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. In such circumstances, digital technology can serve as a tool for biodiversity monitoring through the cooperation between citizens and scientists. Trained volunteers can share ecological data, photographs, and videos of the species, and disturbances within ecosystems, due to anthropological activities through various digital platforms, such as Email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and mobile apps designed for this purpose. The Wildlife Institute of India has taken the initiative by launching an android app "Ganga Data Collector" and Facebook pages "Glimpses of Ganga" and "Ganga Rejuvenation" as part of the "Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation" project with an objective to monitor the biodiversity of the Ganga River involving the local community known as "Guardians of the Ganga" or "Ganga Prahari." These trained volunteers can share photos and videos of recorded species, their mortality and rescue operations along with water quality data and prohibited activities like illegal fishing and habitat degradation due to pollution and mining. Professionals around the world employed in freshwater biodiversity monitoring could follow the same strategy to overcome the present COVID-19 pandemic crisis and prepare to monitor biodiversity during future lock-downs.