Opportunities and Management of Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes Mart.) in India – An Update

Nimal R. Chandrasena, Puja Ray, Sushilkumar, Nanjapur T. Yaduraju, Adusumilli Narayan Rao

Keywords:

Water hyacinth; Pontederia crassipes; Eichhornia crassipes; utilization, colonizing species

Abstract:

In this article, we provide an update on the status of water hyacinth (WH) infestations in India with a discussion of its history and the problems it causes. In reassessing how best to manage the species, within a sustainable economic framework, we also discuss the future of its local control, as well as its more holistic management, with utilization options clearly in mind. It appears to us that WH is almost the perfect species to demonstrate how the strengths of a colonising species can be put to beneficial, societal uses. Given that WH is deeply entrenched in India and never likely to be eradicated because of the vastness of its spread, we also see that India is almost the perfect country to benefit from WH. Often, the reluctance to utilize WH is based on environmental concerns and the economics of harvesting, transport and processing, which are not trivial. Thankfully, in the last three decades, many technological solutions have been developed to make such processes efficient and economically viable. A vast amount of global literature highlights how WH biomass can be utilized for societal benefits. Therefore, the evidence for integration of WH management with utilization cannot be disputed. Some of the high-end utilization options discussed must move from proof-of-concept research to expedited adoption. Utilization options should balance the arguments about the conflicts aquatic weeds have with human interests. The high productivity, resilience and unique capabilities of WH simply cannot be ignored anymore. It is too valuable a resource not to be utilized further.