HyaCon 1.0: International Conference on Water Hyacinth Menace to be held in Kochi from January 8–10

Kochi: The Future Kerala Mission of Jain University, Kochi, is organising an international conference to address the environmental challenges posed by water hyacinth in water bodies and to explore innovative approaches for its effective value addition and utilisation. The three-day conference, titled ‘HyaCon 1.0’, will be held from January 8 to 10 at the Jain University Kochi campus.

The conference is being organised in collaboration with the State Wetland Authority, Kerala (SWAK), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Transworld. Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will inaugurate the conference at 3 pm on January 8. Ramesh Chennithala MLA and Hibi Eden MP will be the guests of honour.

Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine will inaugurate an exhibition showcasing value-added products made from water hyacinth and related machinery. Jain University Chancellor Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Future Kerala Mission Chairman Prof. Venu Rajamony, Jain University Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. J. Letha, and Director – New Initiatives Dr. Tom Joseph will also participate in the inaugural session.

In-depth deliberations on international best practices, technological interventions and value-added products for controlling the water hyacinth menace will be held across six technical sessions on January 9 and 10. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, representatives of the Bangladesh and South African High Commissions and experts from Nigeria, Kenya, Newcastle University (UK) and the Indo-German Biodiversity Programme will present papers during the conference.

Representatives from the Kerala Start-up Mission, SWAK, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, South Asian Wetlands Agency, Asian Development Bank, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, and various industry bodies in Kerala will also take part in the discussions. Delegates from Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Puducherry, Chandigarh, along with several institutions from Kerala, will share successful models for eradication, management and value addition of water hyacinth.

A dedicated session on January 10 will focus on policy frameworks to be adopted at the national and state levels for effective water hyacinth management. The session will be attended by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian and P. K. Kunhalikutty MLA, along with scientific and technical experts, vice-chancellors of various universities, and representatives of the State Biodiversity Board, Kudumbashree and allied organisations.

An open forum will follow, during which the District Collectors of Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam will interact with the public, farmers and fisherfolk. Heads of leading print, electronic and digital media organisations will participate in various sessions.

The concluding session on the evening of January 10 will be inaugurated by Industries Minister P. Rajeev. K. C. Venugopal MP and Uma Thomas MLA will also attend the closing ceremony. Future Kerala Mission Scientific Advisor Prof. Dr. G. Nagendra Prabhu will present the draft policy document on water hyacinth management, along with a summary of the conference deliberations. The draft policy document approved at the conference will be submitted to the Central and State Governments, senior officials of relevant departments and major political parties.