The water lily It is once again making headlines for its expansion into the country's lagoons and rivers, with effects that are already being felt in the , The fishery and ecosystems. Catalogued by the Conabius Among the world's most invasive species, this fast-growing plant forms dense mats that block the light, they suffocate aquatic life and make any activity in the water difficult.
The latest reports from Estado de México, Guanajuato y San Luis Potosi They show a problem of regional scope: communities that live off water see their lives fall. ingresos, while local and federal authorities coordinate cleanings and sanitation plans to stop the invasion.
Zumpango: Tourism in decline and engines damaged
In Zumpango Lagoon, the boatmen start the day with the same picture: long surfaces covered with green plants that discourage visitors. The image of a body of water “covered” by the lily leaves many of the towns without walks 1.800 hectares of the glass.
For decades, local families lived off the boat tourism and the sale of fish. Now, with the routes almost stopped, some ten families of boatmen and merchants barely sustain the business. Some keep the walk a 50 pesos per person, but merchants' calculations point to sales drops of 45–50 percent.
Navigation has become a headache: the lily gets tangled in the propeller, overheats the engines and damages the transmissionsSeveral boats have ended up in specialized workshops Xochimilco o Veracruz, with bills reaching up to 18.000 pesos per piece.
In addition, the wind pushes the mantles and forces them to move. boats to more remote areas: today they offer services to about 3 kilometers from the main entrance and many customers give up when they know that they have to walk near 20 minutes to board.
UP TO kayak The ecotourism sector has gone down the drain: local athletes report how vegetation closes the path in a matter of hours and traps groups in the middle of the route. What used to generate weekend income of around 8.000 pesos, is on pause today.
The episode adds to a complex history: in 2020 the lagoon is dry due to the drought, and in 2024 Conagua reported a recovery until 65% of its capacity. Zumpango, built in 1989 as a regulating vessel to avoid floods, receives surpluses from the dams Madin, Guadalupe y The conceptionWater enters through the channel St Thomas, of rainwater origin and with contributions residual; the IMTA has indicated that limits are being exceeded water quality, a perfect breeding ground for the lily.
On the institutional front, the plague reached the State of Mexico Congress in 2022 without any tangible progress. Today, the municipality is carrying out a diagnosis with With water and authorities of Telolotitlán to decide how to remove the plant, although there is not yet one when and where for cleaning tasks.
Cuitzeo and Acámbaro: three years without fishing and labor exodus
In the lake of Cuitzeo, on the side of Acamebaro, fishermen from seven communities carry three years without being able to go out to fish: first the drought, then a fish sowing that did not prosper and now the proliferation of the lily prevent them from entering with the boats.
Hopelessness has pushed part of the guild to migrate to other states or abroad. Those who stay survive by filleting fish that arrives from Guerrero o Nayarit, 8 pesos the kilo, with days that barely leave a few 200 pesos per day, clearly insufficient for families.
The affected communities for the lily in this area include:
- Iramuco
- Iramuco bias
- The Island
- Zapote
- Good View of the Mosquitoes
- the nettle
- the glen
Neighbors have asked for support from the municipality and the Secretariat of the Countryside all with fumigate and control the plant. In the Isla, even going out for supplies is difficult: the masses of lily obstruct the plunge towards Iramuco.
Lerma River: inter-municipal cleanup to stop the plague
In the riverbed Lerma river, the municipalities of penjamo (Guanajuato) and La Piedad (Michoacán), with support from Irrigation Module, maintain jobs of withdrawal of water lily. The aim is to improve the oxygenation from water, avoid insect pests and alleviate a problem that has been affecting riverside communities for years, with direct benefits for the public health.
San Luis Potosí: Sanitation plan for the San José dam
In San José Dam, the state water agency recognizes a serious problem and is working with With water in a comprehensive sanitation planThe priority is to prevent the water from the dam The toll, currently of good quality, would be compromised by its incorporation into the distribution systems of the metropolitan area.
La eutrophication caused by the lily reduces the oxygen dissolved, limits the entry of light, accelerates the evaporation, complicates the operation of the hydraulic infrastructure and raises costs of maintenanceIf left unchecked, it could increase the risk of contamination and make it difficult to use water for human consumption.
Yuriria: resources and coordination, but actions until September
In Yuriria Lagoon, were authorized 5 million pesos additional state budget to care for the lily. According to the Secretariat of Water, the most effective interventions can be implemented from September due to seasonality issues, following working visits with authorities from all three levels of government.
There is a technical committee interinstitutional and insists on coordinating the three levels of government to achieve results medium and long termIt is also emphasized that without attention to the Treatment plants the discharges that reach the lagoon, the lily will return proliferate, although the exact number is unknown today hectares invaded.
The advance of water lily It highlights an environmental and social challenge that ranges from navigation to public health: Zumpango, Cuitzeo, Lerma, San Luis Potosí and Yuriria share impacts and ongoing solutions - from cleanups and diagnoses to dedicated budgets - while families who depend on water await firm dates and results on the ground.