The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has intensified its efforts to combat the widespread infestation of water hyacinth in Ambazari Lake by deploying high-capacity harvester machines. This initiative marks a significant step in the long-standing battle against the invasive aquatic weed, with the civic body launching an aggressive cleaning drive to restore the iconic water body before the onset of the monsoon season.
Deployment of Advanced Machinery
Since last week, cleanup operations have been underway using advanced harvester machines specially deployed for the task. To accelerate the removal of water hyacinth, the NMC has also deployed five Pokland machines, two JCBs, and several tippers, in addition to two advanced harvesters. Officials have stated that the new machinery is expected to significantly speed up the mission to make Ambazari Lake free from invasive aquatic weeds.
Environmentally-Friendly Solution
The harvester machine is considered an environmentally-friendly solution for controlling water hyacinth, excessive aquatic vegetation, and other invasive plants in large water bodies. These advanced machines are highly efficient in managing both submerged and floating vegetation, ensuring minimal disruption to the lake's ecosystem.
Procurement and Capacity
The machines were procured under the environmental protection and pollution control component of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana and the District Mineral Foundation, Nagpur. Each machine is capable of removing approximately 4.5 to 5 tonnes of water hyacinth in a single operation and can clear nearly one to two acres of area daily.
Official Inspection
Mayor Neeta Thakre, standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, and municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar jointly inspected the ongoing work on Thursday. Corporator Yogesh Pachpor and NMC superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee were also present during the inspection. Officials believe that the deployment of these advanced machines will help restore the natural beauty of Ambazari Lake and free it from the growing menace of water hyacinth.
