Description

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Context

Maharashtra government has announced a 15-day action plan to remove water hyacinth from Ulhas River responding to citizen activists protests against pollution & emphasizing river conservation efforts.

Ulhas River

Feature	Details
Location	Maharashtra, India
Origin	Sahyadri Hill Ranges, Raigad District, Maharashtra
Elevation at Origin	600 meters above mean sea level (M.S.L.)
Length	122 km
Drainage Basin Area	4,637 sq km
Flow Direction	West-flowing
Outfall	Arabian Sea
Geographical Boundaries	Main Sahyadri hills on east, westerly offshoots on north & south & a narrow opening to sea on west
Districts Covered	Thane, Raigad & Pune

Tributaries of Ulhas River

Tributary Name	Type	Contribution to Catchment Area	Description
Pej	Left Bank	Minor	Flows through Raigad district
Barvi	Left Bank	Moderate	Supplies water to Barvi Dam
Bhivapuri	Left Bank	Minor	Passes through Karjat region
Murbari	Left Bank	Minor	Seasonal tributary
Kalu	Right Bank	Major	Significant for water supply & irrigation
Shari	Right Bank	Minor	Flows through hilly terrain
Bhasta	Right Bank	Major	One of largest right-bank tributaries
Salpe	Left Bank	Minor	Small seasonal river
Poshir	Left Bank	Moderate	Flows through industrial zones
Shilar	Left Bank	Minor	Local water source

Kalu & Bhasta Rivers together account for 7% of total catchment area of Ulhas River.

Historical & Geographical Significance

Feature	Details
Estuary Importance	The estuary of Ulhas River houses several historical ports.
Historical Ports	Kalyan, Kopri & Shurparaka
Economic Importance	Industrial & commercial significance due to historical ports
Ecological Importance	Supports mangroves, fisheries & estuarine biodiversity

Waldhuni River

Feature	Details
Location	Maharashtra, India
Origin	Near Ambernath, Maharashtra
Length	~20 km
Flow Direction	West-flowing
Outfall	Ulhas River
Districts Covered	Thane District (Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath)
Major Issues	High pollution levels due to industrial effluents & sewage disposal
Ecological Significance	Supports local biodiversity but is severely affected by pollution

Pollution & Environmental Concerns

Factor	Impact
Industrial Effluents	Chemical contamination from textile, dyeing & chemical industries in Ulhasnagar & Ambernath
Sewage Disposal	Unregulated sewage discharge from residential areas
Solid Waste Dumping	Plastic & garbage accumulation causing water stagnation
Water Hyacinth Infestation	Leads to oxygen depletion & hampers water flow
Impact on Aquatic Life	Significant decline in fish population & biodiversity
Impact on Human Health	Contaminated water leads to health hazards for nearby communities

Restoration & Cleanup Initiatives

Initiative	Description
Maharashtra Government Cleanup Plan	Announced removal of water hyacinth & pollutants within 15 days
Ulhas & Waldhuni River Action Plan	Proposed measures for water treatment, sewage management & industrial waste regulation
Citizen Activism	Local environmental groups protesting & raising awareness about river pollution
Legal Action	National Green Tribunal (NGT) has intervened to address pollution concerns
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)	Proposed to treat wastewater before it enters river

Water Hyacinth

Parameter	Details
Scientific Name	Eichhornia crassipes
Common Name	Water Hyacinth
Origin	Native to South America (Amazon Basin), introduced globally
Growth Rate	Extremely fast; doubles in size within 5-15 days under favorable conditions
Mode of Spread	Through water currents, human intervention & fragmentation
Preferred Habitat	Slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies (lakes, rivers, ponds, reservoirs)

Status of Water Hyacinth in India

Region/Water Body	Extent of Infestation	Impact Severity	Management Status
Ulhas River, Maharashtra	High (Thane, Kalyan region severely affected)	Severe impact on water flow & aquatic life	Government action plan underway for removal
Waldhuni River, Maharashtra	High (Pollution & sewage worsen infestation)	Oxygen depletion, water stagnation	Part of Maharashtra’s cleanup initiative
Yamuna River, Delhi	Moderate to High	Blocks drainage, worsens pollution	Ongoing mechanical removal
Kaveri River, Karnataka/Tamil Nadu	Moderate	Disrupts agriculture & water use	Manual & chemical control
Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir	High	Affects tourism & biodiversity	Controlled harvesting in progress
Chilika Lake, Odisha	Moderate to High	Reduces fish productivity	Government intervention with biological control

Ecological & Economic Impact of Water Hyacinth

Impact Category	Specific Effects
Ecological Impact	Depletes dissolved oxygen, blocks sunlight & disrupts aquatic ecosystems
Agricultural Impact	Blocks irrigation canals & reduces water availability
Navigation Issues	Hinders boat movement & fishing activities
Health Risks	Stagnant water promotes mosquito breeding, leading to diseases like malaria & dengue
Biodiversity Loss	Decreases fish population due to oxygen depletion
Economic Losses	High cost of removal & loss of fisheries revenue

Methods of Water Hyacinth Management

Method	Description	Effectiveness	Challenges
Manual Removal	Physical extraction using labor or machinery	Effective for small areas	Labor-intensive & costly
Mechanical Harvesting	Large-scale removal using water weed harvesters	Faster than manual removal	Requires high investment
Biological Control	Use of weevils (Neochetina eichhorniae) & fungi	Sustainable, cost-effective	Slow process, needs monitoring
Chemical Control	Herbicides like glyphosate & 2,4-D	Quick removal	Risk of water contamination
Integrated Management	Combination of manual, biological & mechanical methods	Most effective approach	Requires coordination & investment

Government Initiatives for Water Hyacinth Control in India

Initiative	Implemented By	Objective	Current Status
Ulhas & Waldhuni River Cleanup (2025)	Maharashtra Government	Remove water hyacinth & restore river health	In progress
National Plan for Aquatic Weed Control	Ministry of Jal Shakti	Nationwide management of invasive aquatic plants	Ongoing
Dal Lake Restoration Project	Jammu & Kashmir Government	Control water hyacinth & pollution	Active removal operations
Chilika Lake Ecosystem Conservation	Chilika Development Authority	Promote biodiversity, control invasive species	Integrated management approach

For more such articles, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

TIMES OF INDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Pollution of rivers like Ulhas as well as Waldhuni has led to severe environmental degradation. Examine role of industrial effluents, urban waste & invasive species in deteriorating river health. Suggest effective mitigation measures.