Navi Mumbai: The Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) tied up with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to tackle the massive growth of giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) weeds in the historic Vadale Lake in Panvel city. The bioremediation process was initiated again after it failed with a research laboratory based in Mumbai.
The campaign was launched on Thursday (May 7) to eradicate the invasive aquatic plant from the lake.
PCMC Mayor Nitin Patil said, “Under the ‘biological control’ campaign ‘salvinia weevil’, a weevil species will destroy the aquatic plants in the Vadale lake, the jewel and historical heritage of Panvel city. PCMC adopted an environment friendly and sustainable biological control method. The ‘Salvinia weevil’ fed only on the leaves and branches of the weeds, stunting their growth naturally, after which the weeds died over time and sank to the bottom of the pond. The process did not cause any harm to the water, fish or other aquatic animals.
PCMC aimed to clear the lake of weeds in 15-18 months, with initial results likely in the next 6 to 8 months. The PCMC-initiated talav beautification did not see any light of the day following the massive regrowth of the weeds. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai