In a novel effort to address the growing menace of water hyacinth choking Assam’s wetlands, an eco-enterprise in the state has begun converting the invasive aquatic weed into sustainable handmade paper, offering both environmental and livelihood benefits.
The initiative, led by Guwahati-based startup Kumbhi Kagaz, aims to clear lakes and water bodies infested by water hyacinth — locally known as pani meteka — while producing chemical-free, tree-free paper products.
Water hyacinth has long been a major ecological concern in Assam, rapidly spreading across ponds and wetlands and forming dense floating mats that block sunlight, deplete dissolved oxygen and threaten aquatic biodiversity. The weed has severely impacted several water bodies, including the Ramsar site Deepor Beel.
Under the initiative, harvested plants are cleaned, sun-dried and processed into pulp before being hand-pressed into paper sheets. The finished products are marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional paper, which typically relies on wood pulp.
According to the founders, the model creates a dual impact: periodic removal of the weed helps restore water flow and improve wetland health, while the paper-making process generates income opportunities for local communities, particularly women’s self-help groups involved in collection and processing.
Environmental observers say such circular solutions could significantly reduce the cost burden of mechanical weed removal while promoting sustainable enterprise in the region.
With Assam’s wetlands increasingly under pressure from invasive species and pollution, initiatives like this are being viewed as scalable models that combine conservation with green livelihoods.
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