Environment
Water plant project initiated to save polluted river
  • By Minh Tien | dtinews.vn | November 08, 2014 04:35 PM

A project to grow water plants on To Lich River, one of the most polluted rivers in Hanoi, has been started with the hope it could save the ailing ecosystem.

 

Plant rafts on To Lich River (photos:nguoiduatin)

To Lich River is considered by ecologists to be 'dead' because it has been severely polluted by the dumping of thousands of cubic metres of sewage water each day.

Recently, however, dozens of rafts covered with water plants were placed on the river. The rafts are made with pontoons and wood planks, which function to grow the plants. The rafts are anchored with ropes to stop them from floating away during storms or floods. 

 

Water plants to save the ecosystem

The roots of the plants on these floating gardens are expected to grow into the river, starting a process which would purify the water. 

Not only do the plant rafts clean up the river, they also improve the scenery of the city. The locals said they were happy and optimistic about the project. Bui Thi Trang, a student in Hanoi said, "If this river becomes more clean, this area may have more pedestrians. And maybe the street will smell of flowers instead of the current stench."


Similar projects have been carried out in a number of other polluted rivers and lakes in Hanoi, such as Ngoc Khanh, Van Chuong and Giang Vo, with good results. 

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