Jacinto & Lirio is the flagship brand of EcoIngenuity Inc. that showcases the innovative plant leather like the water hyacinth into fashionable and functional statement bags and accessories through sustainable and eco-friendly means.
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Company Profile & History
Why the Water Hyacinth?
· Hindrance to water transport. Access to harbours and docking areas can be seriously hindered by mats of water hyacinth. Canals and freshwater rivers can become impassable as they clog up with densely intertwined carpets of the weed. It is also becoming a serious hazard to lake transport on Lake Victoria as large floating islands of water hyacinth form, while many of the inland waterways of south east Asia have been all but abandoned.
· Clogging of intakes of irrigation, hydropower and water supply systems. Many large hydropower schemes are suffering from the effects of water hyacinth. The Owen Falls hydropower scheme at Jinja on Lake Victoria is a victim of the weeds rapid reproduction rates and an increasing amount of time and money is having to be invested in clearing the weed to prevent it entering the turbine and causing damage and power interruptions. Blockage of canals and rivers causing flooding. Water hyacinth can grow so densely that a human being can walk on it. When it takes hold in rivers and canals it can become so dense that it forms a herbivorous barrage and can cause damaging and dangerous flooding.
· Micro-habitat for a variety of disease vectors. The diseases associated with the presence of aquatic weeds in tropical developing countries are among those that cause the major public health problems: malaria, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis. Some species of mosquito larvae thrive on the environment created by the presence of aquatic weeds, while the link between schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and aquatic weed presence is well known. Although the statistical link is not well defined between the presence of aquatic weeds and malaria and schistosomiasis, it can be shown that the brughian type of filariasis (which is responsible for a minor share of lymphatic filariasis in South Asia) is entirely linked to the presence of aquatic weeds.
· Clogging of intakes of irrigation, hydropower and water supply systems. Many large hydropower schemes are suffering from the effects of water hyacinth. The Owen Falls hydropower scheme at Jinja on Lake Victoria is a victim of the weeds rapid reproduction rates and an increasing amount of time and money is having to be invested in clearing the weed to prevent it entering the turbine and causing damage and power interruptions. Blockage of canals and rivers causing flooding. Water hyacinth can grow so densely that a human being can walk on it. When it takes hold in rivers and canals it can become so dense that it forms a herbivorous barrage and can cause damaging and dangerous flooding.
· Micro-habitat for a variety of disease vectors. The diseases associated with the presence of aquatic weeds in tropical developing countries are among those that cause the major public health problems: malaria, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis. Some species of mosquito larvae thrive on the environment created by the presence of aquatic weeds, while the link between schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and aquatic weed presence is well known. Although the statistical link is not well defined between the presence of aquatic weeds and malaria and schistosomiasis, it can be shown that the brughian type of filariasis (which is responsible for a minor share of lymphatic filariasis in South Asia) is entirely linked to the presence of aquatic weeds.
· Increased evapotranspiration. Various studies have been carried out to ascertain the relationship between aquatic plants and the rate of evapotranspiration compared with evaporation from an open-surfaced water body. Saelthun suggests that the rate of water loss due to evapotranspiration can be as much as 1.8 times that of evaporation from the same surface but free of plants. This has great implications where water is already scarce. It is estimated that the flow of water in the Nile could be reduced by up to one tenth due to increased losses in Lake Victoria from water hyacinth.
· Problems related to fishing. Water hyacinth can present many problems for the fisherman. Access to sites becomes difficult when weed infestation is present, loss of fishing equipment often results when nets or lines become tangled in the root systems of the weed and the result of these problems is more often than not a reduction in catch and subsequent loss of livelihood. In areas where fishermen make a meagre living from their trade, this can present serious socio-economic problems. Fishermen on lake Victoria have also noted that, in areas where there is much water hyacinth infestation, the water is 'still and warm and the fish disappear. They also complain that crocodiles and snakes have become more prevalent.
· Reduction of biodiversity. Where water hyacinth is prolific, other aquatic plants have difficulty in surviving. This causes an imbalance in the aquatic micro-ecosystem and often means that a range of fauna that relies on a diversity of plant life for its existence, will become extinct. Diversity of fish stocks is often effected with some benefiting and others suffering from the proliferation of water hyacinth. People often complain of localised water quality deterioration. This is of considerable concern where people come to collect water and to wash.
· Problems related to fishing. Water hyacinth can present many problems for the fisherman. Access to sites becomes difficult when weed infestation is present, loss of fishing equipment often results when nets or lines become tangled in the root systems of the weed and the result of these problems is more often than not a reduction in catch and subsequent loss of livelihood. In areas where fishermen make a meagre living from their trade, this can present serious socio-economic problems. Fishermen on lake Victoria have also noted that, in areas where there is much water hyacinth infestation, the water is 'still and warm and the fish disappear. They also complain that crocodiles and snakes have become more prevalent.
· Reduction of biodiversity. Where water hyacinth is prolific, other aquatic plants have difficulty in surviving. This causes an imbalance in the aquatic micro-ecosystem and often means that a range of fauna that relies on a diversity of plant life for its existence, will become extinct. Diversity of fish stocks is often effected with some benefiting and others suffering from the proliferation of water hyacinth. People often complain of localised water quality deterioration. This is of considerable concern where people come to collect water and to wash.
