Workshop on Water Hyacinth
“Workshop on water hyacinth: A socio-economic resource for livelihood” organised by The National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, Centre for Earth Research and Environment Management, Kochi and Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College, Vaikom was held on 22nd June, 2022.
Dr. K.J Abraham (Head, Dept. of Zoology) delivered the welcome address and gave a kick start to the workshop. Dr. Gimson D Parambil, Principal, St. Xavier’s College Vaikom delivered the presidential address. Dr. Ajith Joseph K, Executive Director, Nansen Environmental Research Centre, Kochi gave a brief introduction about the resource persons to the audience. Dr. Jayasree Vaidyanathan, Scientist, The National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore gave a brief lecture about the social and economic utilisation of water hyacinth and Dr. N C Induchoodan, SSM, Kochi gave a detailed lecture on the environmental perspective of water hyacinth and the suitable strategies to be adopted for transforming this ecological waste to a valuable resource. Mr. Anuroop Gopalakrishna Bhakthan a young entrepreneur and brand ambassador of “Payal Jwala” shared his insights on the application of water hyacinth and its potential prospects, ignited the young minds with his motivational, thought provoking words and also inspired all the participants to think out of the box. This was followed by an interactive session and the members of the self help groups belonging to the neighborhood community of the college also gave a positive feedback about the workshop. The workshop ended with concluding remarks and vote of thanks by Dr. Sarita Ramachandran, Faculty of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College Vaikom.