Keralam govt. to form expert committee to tackle water hyacinth menace

Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph on Monday informed the Keralam Assembly that the State government would constitute an expert committee to explore scientific and sustainable solutions to the growing menace of water hyacinth in water bodies. Efforts would be made to restore aquatic ecosystems and convert the invasive plants into value-added products, he added.

Replying to a Calling Attention motion moved by former minister and MLA C. Raveendranath, Mr. Joseph acknowledged that the unchecked spread of aquatic weeds has severely affected agriculture, inland fishing and water transport. He said the government was prepared to examine global best practices and adapt suitable technologies to the State’s local conditions.

According to him, the department’s assessment revealed that the existing measures had not yielded a permanent solution, and that mechanical removal of water hyacinth was proving to be inadequate, with weeds often returning to canals and waterways soon after being cleared.

The proposed expert committee would include experts from the Kerala Agricultural University, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), fisheries research institutions and other organisations.

Representatives of the Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries departments would also be involved in examining ways to make productive use of the harvested biomass, including through composting, bio-fertilizers and other value-added products. The committee would be tasked with studying international practices and recommending approaches suited to the State’s diverse aquatic environments.

The exercise will also include farmers, people’s representatives and local self-government institutions, the Minister added.