Mumbai: Recycling of Powai lake's water hyacinths into bio-bricks suggested to civic body

MUMBAI: A Powai based environmentalist has suggested to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to at least allow the recycling of the water hyacinth weeds currently visible at Powai lake, in order to save this waterbody from further damage.
"At present, nearly 50% of the Powai lake's surface has been covered by water hyacinths, which is not good for the lake's biodiversity, that includes fishes, crocodiles.That is why a small group of locals have started cutting some of the water hyacinths in order to recycle them to make biodegradable bricks. I have also spoken about this eco-idea to the BMC "S" ward, and they are mulling over it as well," said Elsie Gabriel, founder of Young Environmentalists Programme Trust.
Gabriel further informed that they have already made a few bio-bricks from the water hyacinths of the lake, on an experimental basis, and can seriously start a recycling plant at Powai lake in order to get rid of all these destructive water weed plants. "These bio-bricks can be used for decorations during festivals like Ganeshotsav. If the civic body still does not do anything about these the grim situation, then there can be further destruction of the lake," she said.
A civic official informed that the earlier lake cleaning contract of Rs 11 crore was scrapped last year, due to overpriced tender bids. Hence, a new contract for the removal of water hyacinths and cleaning of Powai lake is yet to be finalized.
Environmentalist and member of the Bombay high court appointed committee for protection of mangroves and wetlands, D Stalin, told TOI: "Besides the presence of water hyacinths, a lot of garbage and effluents are also going into Powai lake. The ongoing Metro line work is also going at full swing just next to the lake, which causes a lot of dust being blown up and going towards the waterbody. Hence, the civic authorities must quickly decide on what to do about cleaning of Powai lake, before it is too late."
"At present, we have only made a suggestion to BMC to allow the recycling of the water hyacinths. If we get an official nod, then I am sure most of these damaging weeds can be removed from the lake soon," added Gabriel.
This Climate protection project is about waste recycling and saving the rich biodiversity of the Powai lake. "The waste should no longer be burned or left rotting on the lake sides or fields, where it has for a long time polluted the environment and released greenhouse gases," she further stated.
Local residents have also criticized the previous and unnecessary projects like `musical fountains' and LED lights installed inside Powai lake, which only did artificial beautification, but disregarded the real danger posed by the trash thrown into the lake, as this can seriously hamper the oxygen levels on which the fishes and other marine life depends upon.