A solution to the long-standing problem of water hyacinth infestation seems to be at hand. Scientists have announced the success of a biological, pesticide-free method of eradicating the highly invasive and damaging plant from Africa's waterways.
The plant, reportedly released inadvertently by Belgian colonialists in the Congo who brought it to Africa for their gardens, has decreased biodiversity and negatively impacted fishing in East Africa. In Lake Victoria it created further damage by blocking hydroelectric power turbines.
The natural beauty of water-hyacinth's flower and foliage has helped it spread to become a floating nightmare in many tropical areas.
The water
hyacinth, a plant whose
flowers have adorned many a Malawian home, has been found to be
hazardous to the environment and scientists have launched an
offensive aimed at destroying the weed.
Researchers say that if left to grow unchecked the plant,
locally known as "namasupuni" (so called for its spoon like leaves)
will cause serious topical freshwater problems throughout
sub-Saharan Africa.