Water hyacinths, Eichhomia crassipes, are posing a mafor problem for the country. Nearly 80 per cent of the Ugandan shoreline is clogged with these plants, which are killipg animals and vegetation in the Lake Victoria and seriously upsetting local life. At some places the water hyacinth is so thick that fishing boats cannot leave the shore and ferries are stuck in the weed for hours at a time. Moreover, there are deadly snakes, disease-carrying mosquitoes and the snails which - spread a crippling disease scistosomiasis. "We have a real emergency," said Timothy Twongo from the Fisheries Research Institute in Uganda.To combat the problem, adult weevils belonging to two South American species, Neo- chetina eichorniae and N.bruchi, are being fed on the leaves of the water hyacinth. The larvae of the weevils chew into its stem and crown. The governments of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have agreed to release large numbers of weevils into the lake later this year.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.