Less than two years after massive clean-up op, water hyacinth takes over large swathes of Ooty lake
Within two years of an extensive clean‑up of Ooty’s lake, water hyacinth has spread across extensive areas, covering former sand banks and reed beds. Local birdwatchers report a sharp decline in avian numbers, attributing the loss to the removal of these habitats during the clean‑up, which they describe as unscientific. The surge also hampers recreational use of the lake.