Tulsi and ashvagandha to purify Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad

Tulsi and ashvagandha to purify Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad

Context

Use of hydroponics to clean the Neknampur lake in Hyderabad

What is hydroponics?

Science of growing plants without soil

Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW)

Gently floating on the surface of Neknampur Lake is an artificial ‘island’ made of meticulously chosen plant species. The island is a floating treatment wetland (FTW)

• How plants help?

Several plants on this FTW help clean the lake by absorbing nutrients such as excess nitrates and oxygen present in the water. They thus reduce the content of these chemicals

National recognition to the FTW

Measuring 3,000 sq. ft., the FTW is a joint effort of Dhruvansh, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, the Ranga Reddy district administration and other organisations. It has already been recognised by the India Book of Records as the largest FTW in the country

How does it work?

The FTW comprises four layers.

1^st layer: Floatable bamboo forms its base, over which Styrofoam cubicles are placed (2^nd layer)

3^rd layer: The third layer consists of gunny bags

4^th Layer: The final layer is of gravel

Cleaning agents

Cleaning agents planted on the FTW include

• Vetivers
• Canna
• Cattalis
• Bulrush
• Citronella
• Hibiscus
• fountain grass
• flowering herbs
• tulsi
• ashvagandha

Cleaning process by microorganisms

Micro-organisms growing on the FTW and plant root systems break down and consume the organic matter in the water through microbial decomposition. The root systems filter out sediments and pollutants.

Cheaper tech

Compared to sewage treatment plants, this method is much cheaper