Rakhis from water hyacinths: Why a Bengal civic body is sending them to global leaders

Water hyacinths, locally known as 'Kochuripana', grow in abundance in the lakes, ponds and rivers of West Bengal, and is a cause of headache for those tasked with cleaning them.

The free-floating aquatic plant - scientifically named Pontederia crassipes, a native of South America - is often called the 'terror of Bengal' due to its invasive growth tendencies.

Now the local body of Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district is putting them to better use. They are making rakhis out of these weeds ahead of the festival of Raksha Bandhan which falls on Thursday this week.


About 1500 women of a self help group made more than 30 thousand rakhis, more than half of which were bought up by the state government and bus operators.

Bongaon local body also sent rakhis made from water hyacinths to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a few global leaders.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among those others who were sent rakhis on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Bongaon municipality chairman Gopal Seth told PTI.

The rakhis were sent to the leaders to spread the message of brotherhood and to show the state's efforts to use the biodegradable waste material for the economic and social uplift of women.

Handicraft made from water hyacinth are in demand in some countries. A bag made from this fresh water weed could fetch as much as Rs 2.300 in some markets.