Q. Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic weed infesting approximately 200,000 hectares of India’s waterways since pre-1900, was introduced to India from which of the following regions?
Answer: South America
Notes: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) came from South America. As an ornamental plant, Lady Hastings, wife of the first British Governor-General, brought it to India during British colonial rule. This invasive species, native to the Amazon basin, proliferates rapidly using runners, and can stand up to 3 feet above water. Today, it has spread to over 50 countries, hugely affecting plant, fish, and animal growth, by depleting oxygen levels, particularly impacting fish populations. This alien species presents challenges in management and reversal, posing threats to biodiversity, economy, and human wellbeing.