R. S. PoddarShweta Byahatti2017-03-062017-03-06http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810004145Water pollution is a major environmental concern in India. Poor quality of water adversely affects the plant growth and human health. Water pollution is a cause for many diseases and thereby it affects income of a household. Due to illness an individual is not able to work, that is loss of wage in illness period. The medical expenditure increases for recurring diseases due to water pollution. The present study was conducted in Indi taluk of Bijapur district in Karnataka, with an objective to analyze the economic impact of river water quality on agriculture and rural livelihoods. The results revealed that river water is not suitable for irrigation and not suitable for drinking in the study seasons. Decomposition model showed that in sugarcane crop the contribution of water pollution towards yield difference was 0.88 per cent. Average yield difference between polluted and non polluted villages was 3.43 tonnes/ha of worth ` 6177.6. Average per annum veterinary expenses by the household was ` 1710, in polluted villages which was more by 34.33 per cent compared to that in non polluted village. The household in polluted villages spent ` 8,197 per household per annum on medical expenses, which was 16.26 per cent more when compared to medical expenses ` 7,050 spent in non polluted villages. Hence, Government should initiate urgent effective measures to control or regulate pollution and organize awareness programmes regarding health risks by use of polluted water.ennullThesis