The Water Hyacinth

The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart] Solms-Laubach) is a large, free-floating, tropical aquatic plant with attractive lavender flowers and shiny, bright green leaves on long petioles. Water hyacinth populations increase rapidly. Research reportes that in one experiment, two parent plants produced 30 offspring after 23 days, and 1,200 at the end of four months. With these characteristics, the water hyacinth has become a major ecological and economic problem in this century. Even our lakes are full of water hyacinth and need to be clean frequently without any idea of reuse / recycle. Therefore, Eco Farm attempts actively in waste management especially in the lakes of Pokhara. We would like to encourage peoples in reusing water hyacinth as benediction, Nature’s gift.

Advantages of Hyacinth

• Combinations of microorganisms with water hyacinths must be seriously considered in developing filtration systems for removing toxic trace chemicals, such as heavy metals and carcinogenic materials. So, we can use this as water filtration in some extend.
• Because inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus are accumulated to a large extent in the roots (roots represent 20 per cent of the wet weight of the plants), this quality signifies a second possible use for the water hyacinth as "compost," or organic fertilizer.
• The fibrous component might be useful as a base for a biogas-producing system. Methane-producing bacteria require such nutrients as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Many studies have shown that the water hyacinth provides these elements in the quantity and proportion adequate for good growth of bacteria and for satisfactory gas production.
• Another possibility for the use of water hyacinths is as a source of pulp and paper. As an animal feed, it has been used fresh. In experiments with pigs in southwest Colombia, fresh water hyacinth was substituted for 20 per cent of commercial feed without toxicologial problems or effects on rate of growth.

References: www.formatkenya.org

But, despite of being a beautiful valley, this place is being uglier day by day due to the lack of civic consciousness and the government's irresponsibility. Tones of paper are thrown in the river and just burn. Therefore, with taking much care of environment, we have planned for this recycling project. Its basic concept is simple but valuable:

• Reuse of wastage paper
• Save the environment
• Encouraging the women & street children
• Recycled paper products to the helpless school children
• Promotion of education and social activities

Project Regulation

• An association with 7 members shall be formed.
• Technology / Paper recycling plant shall be asked help from the donators.
• A small house, with open place nearby, shall be hired.
• Four staffs shall be kept in the project in the beginning
• Empty bottle & useless tin collectors shall be encouraged to collect the useless papers too. As A result, the necessity of many staff shall be reduced automatically.
• The Recycled paper shall be sold in a mobile cart and kept the income in the company fund. However, 20 % of the paper production shall be distributed to the helpless children.