A video shared on Sunday by a content creator has brought renewed attention to a long-standing environmental issue affecting waterways in Kerala.

Posted by video creator Mountain Pirates, the clip presents a striking comparison of canal stretches in the Changanassery–Alappuzha region. The visuals contrast scenes of backwaters once covered with bloomed water hyacinth with the same stretches appearing clear after the weed was removed.

The before-and-after view highlights how the canals looked when thick clusters of purple blooms spread across the surface, forming what appeared to be a colourful blanket over the water. While the sight may seem attractive to travellers passing through the area, the plant behind the vivid display is a fast-growing invasive species.

Once established, water hyacinth forms dense floating mats that choke canals and slow the movement of water. These layers can make boat navigation difficult and interfere with the natural flow of waterways.

The bright purple blooms often attract curious visitors who stop along the roadside to photograph the scene. At times, gatherings of onlookers have even affected traffic in the area, prompting police personnel to regulate vehicle movement along the highway.

Environmentalists have repeatedly raised concerns about the wider impact of the plant’s spread across Kerala’s water bodies. Water hyacinth thrives in polluted water, and the increasing flow of contaminated discharge from nearby commercial locations into canals and backwaters has worsened the situation.

Experts note that the plant’s thick cover can reduce oxygen levels in the water, potentially harming aquatic life. It can also displace native aquatic vegetation and disturb the balance of the ecosystem. In addition, water hyacinth increases water loss through transpiration, placing further strain on the water body.

Course planned to turn weed into useful products

Alongside removal drives, Kerala is also exploring ways to make use of the plant rather than simply clearing it.

A new course titled Water Hyacinth (Value-added Products) Entrepreneur is launched at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences in Kozhikode, with support from the Union Environment Ministry.

The programme aims to train participants to convert water hyacinth into different products. In some applications, parts of the plant other than the root can be used as alternatives to plastic. The initiative is also intended to help local communities earn income by producing such items.