Kerala's panoramic backwaters and rivers which are a major tourist attraction besides providing means of inland water transportation in many areas have been facing a big challenge from water hyacinth, a troublesome aquatic weed. The water hyacinth, popularly known as 'kulavazha' in the state, is one of the most invasive and gregarious aquatics weeds of Kerala widely distributed all over the state in paddy fields, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshy places.
According to Prof P J George of Allahabad Agriculture Institute University, the weeds multiply rapidly in stagnant waters making large areas uncultivated and most times occupies the entire water surface from bank to bank stretching over distances along the canal courses, blocking lagoons and backwaters.
Attention had been focused on its environmental impact since its luxuriant growth in the water bodies interferes in the activities of mankind, he told reporters. The thick floating carpet of hyacinth prevents sunlight entering into the water and thus reducing the dissolved oxygen presence in water, which adversely affects the ecosystem of water bodies and upsets the aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, fisheries and agriculture, he said.
Water hyacinth also interferes with hydro power generation and obstructs water flow in irrigation channels, besides facilitating rampant mosquito breeding in the aquatic systems and fostering water-borne diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment