Cause and solution of Water hyacinth (Terror of Bengal)

Water hyacinth is a buoyant plant that has a clump of leaves with squishy stalks arising from the lower feathery roots and it is an invasive species came from South America

1. About water hyacinth: Water hyacinth is a buoyant plant that has a clump of leaves with squishy stalks arising from the lower feathery roots. It is a native species which came from South America. It introduced in 1896, however, severe problems could be seen after 1950 in Bengal and Aasam. Local names: There are three main approaches to controlling water hyacinth: ● Harvesting by people or machinery This is the simplest and best method for small ponds. ● Chemical control using herbicides to kill the plant, but can also harm other species. ● Biological control methods using animals that eat it. In India the insects Neochetina eichhorniae, and Neochetina bruchi have been used. TERROR OF BENGAL Mertits: Water hyacinth is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial functions. Furthermore, it can be used as a hair fragrance, to treat cholera, sore throat, and snake bites ( As a medicine). It is also use as a animal food such as cattles, native pigs, ducks. The use of bio- fertilisers for agriculture has sustainable benefits compared to chemical fertilisers as they increase the quality of the soil and concurrently decrease the build-up of nitrate in the soil. Semi industrial use and households: used for making ropes,mats,shoes and bags in many countries. For instance, India, Indonesia, Phillippines and many more It give smallholder’s farmer income. Adverse effects : Fish population plunge because of water hyacinth( due to lack of oxygen). Another research showed that, water hyacinth spread several disease which cause human illnesses (malaria, schistosomiasis, encephalitis, filariasis and cholera) . Annually 500 tones of plants debris submerrged on the water. It also block the canal and dams. Blockage of aquatic tran Increase water pollution B Damaging fish population Increase water pollution Bl Damaging fishopulation Increase water pollution IMPACTS : Blockage of aquatic transportation Damaging fish population Increase water pollution PRESIDENT SCIENCE COLLEGE Reference: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Ibrahimpur-Masahi_WaterHyacinth_English.pdf Center, T.D., Hill, M.P., Cordo, H., Julien, M. (2002). WATERHYACINTH. Biological Control of Weeds in the United States. 41-64 (Book Chapter) (2002). PRESENT BY SALONI AND AYMAN