Ambazari Lake Still Struggles with Spreading Eichhornia Weed
Nagpur, India: Despite efforts by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to tackle the growing Eichhornia weed in Ambazari Lake, the issue persists. Thousands of metric tonnes of the invasive weed have been removed since last year, but it continues to spread, polluting the lake and harming aquatic life.
NMC started removing the weed during last year’s monsoon using excavators, boats, and manpower. Between June 16 and September 6 this year, the civic body removed 9,348 metric tonnes of Eichhornia and dumped it in Bhandewadi. However, the weed grows back quickly, forming dense mats that block waterways and disrupt the lake's ecosystem.
To tackle the issue, NMC uses a special boat named Jaldost, provided by CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, but no permanent solution has been found. The cycle of weed removal and regrowth continues, making the process costly and ineffective.
Why is the Weed Spreading?
Experts believe the discharge of sewage water into the lake is a major reason for the weed's rapid spread. However, Dr. Shweta Banerjee, Superintending Engineer, Environment Department, NMC, says there may be other factors involved. "We are working on finding solutions, but for now, we are removing the weed daily," she said.
Eichhornia spreads quickly due to its ability to reproduce through wind-pollination. Winds carry pollen across the lake, helping the weed regrow even after removal. Fishermen like Rajesh Pashine have noticed a decline in fish populations, blaming the weed for disrupting fishing activities and harming water quality.
Weed removed from the lake is dumped near the banks, often left behind or mixed with other waste. This creates a foul smell and risks further spreading the weed through wind-pollination. Without scientific studies or expert committees to identify effective solutions, NMC is struggling to control the problem.
Ambazari Lake, one of Nagpur’s iconic landmarks, continues to suffer due to the ongoing Eichhornia invasion and the lack of a long-term strategy to eliminate it.
-t-thumb.jpeg)
