Question

What is “terror of Bengal”?

Answer 1

This plant is the most notorious, free-floating, water-borne tropical weed in the world. It grows abundantly in eutrophic bodies of water and contributes to disturb the balance of the aquatic system.

Complete answer:
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is widely referred to as” the terror of Bengal” because it is an invasive shrub that competes strongly with the native species. It is an aquatic plant that flourishes in Bengal's hot and humid climate and can live well and kill nearby plankton and water-borne species. Additionally, each plant can produce thousands of seed annually and these seeds can remain viable for over 28 years. Fish is a key ingredient in their diet. The water hyacinth is effective in utilising aquatic nutrients and solar energy for the production of biomass. This leads to a reduction in the number of fish. The water Hyacinth is called the “ terror of Bengal” due to this shortage of fish in Bengal caused by this invasive species. Water hyacinth is an aquatic free-floating plant occurring in tropical and subtropical South America or native to the Amazon basin. It is known as one of the fastest-growing plants. Water hyacinth reproduces mainly through offset found in plants such as grass or strawberry as a subaerial ‘runner' or 'stolon'. It reduces the dissolved oxygen in the water and increases the biochemical oxygen demand causing the death of aquatic species.

Note: Water hyacinth was introduced in Bengal because of its beautiful flowers and shape of leaves, but it turned out to be an invasive weed stealing oxygen from the bodies of water and resulted in the death of many fishes.