TIRUNELVELI
Collector V. Vishnu launched an innovative programme of converting the water hyacinth, a waterweed with alluring flowers but causing huge water loss while clogging the river and the channels to obstruct free flow of water to the ranches, into useful products including paper here on Wednesday.
This venture, launched under the ‘Nellai Neervalam’ (Tirunelveli Water Resources) programme meant for rejuvenating and revitalizing the water bodies and irrigation channels of the district, was introduced at C.R. Colony under Kodaganallur village panchayat. This project is expected to provide sustainable solution to the problems being caused by the water hyacinth.
The plant that entered India during British regime towards the end of 18 th century as an ornamental plant has become a headache for the farmers as it chokes the water bodies as it grows rapidly while seriously affecting the water quality by not producing oxygen.
According to Mr. Vishnu, the farming community is…