WATER HYACINTHS WATER HYACINTHS: A CURSE? Water Hyacinths are an invasive free floating aquatic plant. The weed are considered a nuisance across the world especially in warmer climates where they thrive and are even banned in the EU. They are known as the ‘Bengal Terror’ or ‘Blue Devil’ is one of the fastest growing plants known to man. If not maintained they can form a dense carpet of growth across the surface of water bodies. This covering consequently results in oxygen depletion and prohibits water-flow which ultimately kills the aquatic life in water-bodies whilst causing a flood risk due to blocking flow movement. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds per year and the seeds can stay viable for more that 28 years. Furthermore the fast pace growth rate of the plant ensures its is near impossible to eradicate without extreme and consistent removal measures. The waterways of India are suffering from an invasion of Water Hyacinths. In particular the waterways of Kochi which are clogged with the weed. They reduce the quality of life by affecting the key elements of liveability as the diagram shows. Clearing the weeds from the water bodies of Kochi will improve life but is an arduous task and has so far been unsuccessful. The Water Hyacinth is native to the northern neotropics of South America.
They were Introduce to India in 1890 by British colonials
The weed Spread
They invaded
worldwide due to
ecosystem
beautiful purple
worldwide and are
flowers and low
considered noxious
maintenance
an invasive weed
The natural predators which insure there isn’t overgrowth aren’t present outside the Amazon basin hence their drastic overpopulation
WATER HYACINTHS: AN ASSET? Water Hyacinths are an incredibly versatile plant. Much research across the world has been conducted on methods to exploit the invasive plant and convert it into an asset. Permacultutal philosophies have also been utilised in order to convert the hyacinth into profit generating products in various rural communities around the world. Scientists in Kenya have been working with the WWF to clear Lake Victoria of the plant and utilise convert it into Bio-fuel for cooking (1). Similarly the Water Hyacinths have been dried and turned into Bio-fertilizer to assist with crop growth (2). Furthermore rural communities around Asia have been creating crafts such as bags, paper, packaging and home-ware and selling them for profit (3). Hence it can be seen that many parts of the world have utilised the ‘curse’ that is the Water Hyacinth invasion and exploited them for the ‘gold mine’ that they have been proven to be.
1.
2.
A GOLD MINE IN DISGUISE
3.
Shannan Kamalaneson Architecture Portfolio
PAGE 06
