Ecologists Express Concern Over Uncontrolled Water Lily Growth in Malarikkal

A two-year study commissioned for the Kerala State Biodiversity Board has raised ecological concerns regarding the rapid proliferation of water lilies in Malarikkal.

The aquatic plants first appeared following the 2018 floods and have since shown unprecedented growth, threatening local aquatic plants, water flow, and sunlight penetration.

While the seasonal pink bloom functions as a tourism hotspot that boosts local income for farmers and boat operators, experts also flagged potential methane emissions from decaying plant biomass.