As Panvel lake gets new life, demand to ban salvinia weed

Environmentalists have called for a ban on the sale and distribution of the highly invasive aquatic weed Salvinia molesta, alleging that its availability through aquarium hobbyists and ornamental plant traders has contributed to its spread into natural water bodies.

- Sameera Kapoor Munshi

The demand comes 45 days after scientists introduced Cyrtobagous salviniae—the only known biological control agent for the weed—into Vadale Lake in Panvel. Early observations indicate that the restoration effort is beginning to yield positive results, after the lake was nearly engulfed by the invasive plant.