'Lake killer' introduced to heal Dianchi Lake

Water hyacinth is being planted in Yunnan province's Dianchi Lake in a bid to tackle pollution caused by industrial and human waste.

The plant is introduced as it can grow in metal-rich environments and, in addition, can absorb the metals from the water, improving water quality.

It is known to the public for its quick reproduction, which without control can cover lakes and ponds entirely, dramatically impacting water flow, blocking sunlight from reaching native aquatic plants, and starving the water of oxygen, often killing fish.

Farmers fish out water hyacinth to put it in a designated area of Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan province, July 12, 2011. [Photo / Xinhua]