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Kerala’s ‘pink phenomenon’ can choke water bodies and drains, warn scientists.
Pink Phenomenon
- The plant behind the ‘pink phenomenon’ is forked fanwort, which comes from the family of Red Cabomba (Cabomba Furcata).
- Cabomba is a submerged perennial aquatic plant that grows in stagnant to slow-flowing freshwater.
- It dominantly belongs to Central and South America.
The first known information on Cabomba in Kerala became available in 1952. Later, in 1965 and 1966, embryological studies were carried out at the University of Madras, Chennai. A decade later, in 1977, Cabomba was first authentically reported from the environs of Cochin.Issue
- The plant will spread in the water bodies across the state, choking them as well as the drainage canals.
- It requires a huge amount of oxygen to grow and that could badly affect freshwater biodiversity.
- The water quality would also be affected
Why?
- Any biological species that are introduced outside their natural range and negatively impact the native biodiversity, ecosystem function, health and human welfare are called invasive alien species.
- They are the second-biggest cause for biodiversity loss, next to habitat destruction.
- Invasive alien species could reproduce rapidly and out-compete the native species for food, water and space.
Way forward
The spread of Cabomba include mechanical removal of
Cabomba furcata and its drying on land; habitat modification to increase shading (planting trees); tarpaulin shade over Cabomba-infested area, especially where it cannot be mechanically removed; regular weeding on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Source: DTE
