Title: Prospects of pernicious water hyacinth as eco-friendly and cost-effective usage in rural economy

Authors: Md. Abdul Halim; Afsana Akter; Roksana Bannya

Addresses: Department of Accounting, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh ' Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka – 1207, Bangladesh ' Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail – 1902, Bangladesh

Abstract: This paper aims to introduce people to cost-effective and easy uses or to use the method of water hyacinth, which has been known as a notorious and detrimental weed species for a long time. It is not common knowledge that this noxious weed can be used in many ways. It can help the socio-economic development of areas that are mainly affected by this species all year round or places near water bodies like beels, canals, rivers, etc. This study provides cost-effective and environment-friendly ways in using water hyacinth as biogas, biofertiliser, poultry, fish and animal feed, handicrafts, wastewater treatments, mulching material, floating seedbeds, etc. It will help people living nearby the water hyacinth-affected area to control this waste plant and create income-generating opportunities by providing economic solvency to rural poor people.

Keywords: water hyacinth; potential applications of hyacinth; sustainable uses of water hyacinth; wastewater treatment; biogas; hyacinth management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.147932

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.37 No.4, pp.393 - 414

Received: 25 Sep 2022
Accepted: 27 Jul 2023
Published online: 11 Aug 2025 *

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