Kerala Government to Form Expert Panel to Tackle Water Hyacinth Menace

The proposed expert committee will examine why existing water hyacinth removal efforts have failed to provide a permanent solution and how the harvested plants can be converted into useful products, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph told the Keralam Assembly.

The State government will explore scientific and sustainable methods to address the growing spread of water hyacinth in water bodies, the Minister said.

The exercise will focus on restoring aquatic ecosystems while finding productive uses for the invasive plants, including value-added products.

Existing removal efforts have fallen short

Replying to a Calling Attention motion moved by former minister and MLA C. Raveendranath, Joseph acknowledged that the unchecked spread of aquatic weeds had severely affected agriculture, inland fishing and water transport.

According to the department’s assessment, the measures already in place had not delivered a lasting solution.

Mechanical removal had also proved inadequate, as the weeds often returned to canals and waterways soon after they were cleared, the Minister said.

The government is prepared to examine global best practices and adapt technologies to the State’s local conditions, Joseph added.

That approach will allow the proposed committee to study methods used in other countries while considering the different aquatic environments found across the State.

Panel to include research institutions

The committee will include experts from the Kerala Agricultural University, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, fisheries research institutions and other organisations.

Representatives of the Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries departments will also take part in examining how the harvested biomass can be used productively.

The options under consideration include composting, bio-fertilizers and other value-added products.

The committee will be tasked with studying international practices and recommending approaches suited to the State’s diverse aquatic environments.

Farmers, people’s representatives and local self-government institutions will also be included in the exercise, Joseph said.

The proposed process therefore combines technical research with participation from those connected to farming, local administration and the affected water bodies.

Source: The Hindu