An innovative startup in Assam is transforming an environmental challenge into a sustainable opportunity by producing paper from the invasive aquatic plant water hyacinth. The initiative, known as Kumbhi Kagaz, was founded by wildlife enthusiasts Aniket Dhar and Rupankar Bhattacharjee, who saw potential in a plant widely blamed for damaging freshwater ecosystems.
The idea for the venture emerged during a wildlife rescue when Rupankar released a rescued snake into a lake only to see it disappear beneath thick layers of water hyacinth. The moment highlighted the growing ecological problem posed by the plant, which spreads rapidly across lakes and wetlands, blocking sunlight and reducing oxygen levels in the water. Instead of treating it purely as waste, the duo decided to explore ways to convert the weed into something useful.
Turning an Environmental Problem Into Sustainable Paper
Starting with small batches of handmade sheets in 2022, the founders gradually refined their process and shifted to machine production as demand grew. Today, their paper closely resembles conventional bond paper and is used for notebooks, stationery, and other products. The startup is also developing biodegradable packaging materials such as mono cartons and gift boxes.
Both founders are associated with the Assam-based environmental organisation Help Earth, which works to protect the biodiversity of Northeast India. Their mentor, herpetologist Jayaditya Purkayastha, encouraged them to view the water hyacinth invasion not just as a threat but also as a potential resource.
Much of the plant harvesting takes place around wetlands such as Deepor Beel, a freshwater lake recognised as a Ramsar site, where the weed has spread extensively and disrupted aquatic ecosystems.
Supporting Local Communities While Restoring Wetlands
The production process is simple but environmentally conscious. Freshly harvested water hyacinth is sun-dried for about a week before being converted into fibre. Approximately one tonne of fresh plant material produces around 100 kilograms of dried fibre, which can then be turned into nearly 80 to 90 kilograms of chemical-free paper.
The project also creates employment opportunities for local communities. Workers manually remove the plant from lakes, avoiding machines that could harm birds, reptiles, and other wildlife that inhabit these wetlands. In areas such as Kaziranga National Park and Urpad Beel, the initiative has helped reduce the spread of water hyacinth while restoring habitats for birds and aquatic species.
By clearing the invasive weed, natural plants such as lotus and water lilies have started returning to some wetlands, allowing species like the pheasant-tailed jacana to regain breeding grounds.
The initiative has also received national attention after being mentioned by Narendra Modi during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Following the recognition, the founders began receiving inquiries from several Indian cities from people interested in replicating the sustainable model.
For the founders, the goal is not to eliminate water hyacinth entirely but to control its spread while turning it into a valuable resource. By converting an invasive plant into eco-friendly paper, the startup demonstrates how environmental challenges can be transformed into sustainable solutions that benefit both nature and local communities.