Pune citizens out to tame Hyacinth

PUNE, APRIL 9: IN a joint action, various citizens' groups have come together to combat the menace of water hyacinth, and also to free the...

PUNE, APRIL 9: IN a joint action, various citizens’ groups have come together to combat the menace of water hyacinth, and also to free the Mula and Pavana rivers of plastic and other waste material.

The Pavananagar Mitra Mandal in Sangvi has taken the initiative for the drive which will continue for the next 15 days at the bank of Mula river at survey number four, Pavananagar, Sangvi. The citizens’ groups are being assisted by the employees of the Health Department of the Pune and the Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations.

The spread of mosquitoes because of the large-scale growth of hyacinth and the subsequent health hazards, prompted the citizens to initiate the drive. According to the president of the Pavananagar Mandal Popat Jhamb and working president Ramkrishna Mane, the drive will be conducted everyday between 7.30 and 8.30 a.m.

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Equipped with ropes and other items, the civic employees and volunteers go in a boat and pull the water hyacinth up to the river bank. The hyacinth will be destroyed at a far off place.

Plastic bottles, and other waste items thrown into the river are also being removed. The drive has been dedicated to the memory of late Dr Kanade who was instrumental in taming the menace of water hyacinth a few years ago, Rane stated. The drive began after paying tributes to Dr Kanade.

The Nagari Kruti Manch and the National School Environmental Club formed by students are also participating in the drive.

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