Plea to remove hyacinth from River Bhavani in Erode

Bhavani River Protection Joint Movement urges removal of water hyacinth to safeguard vital water source in Sathyamangalam.

With water hyacinth covering large stretches of the Bhavani River—particularly in the Sathyamangalam region—the Bhavani River Protection Joint Movement has urged the district administration to remove the rapidly spreading weed at the earliest.

In an email to the District Collector, the movement’s coordinator, S.C. Natraj said the discharge of wastewater, industrial effluents, and underground sewage into the river, an essential water source for the district, has led to the aggressive proliferation of water hyacinth. This invasive growth has severely affected the river, especially in the Sathyamangalam area.

He emphasised that the river, which is a vital source of drinking water and irrigation for agriculture, is now significantly impacted. Washermen and the general public are facing serious hardships due to the weed clogging the river. Livestock and aquatic life are also suffering due to the degraded condition of the water body.

The email called on the Water Resources Department, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and the Municipal Administration to jointly inspect the situation and take urgent, coordinated action.

Furthermore, since hyacinth thrives in polluted water, its spread is a clear sign of contamination. The movement urged the district administration to step up monitoring and prevent the discharge of industrial effluents into the river. It also called for the formation of a district-level monitoring committee, comprising representatives from the Water Resources Department, Revenue Department, Pollution Control Board, and public welfare organisations, to review the situation on a monthly basis.