Sustainable management of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Community-Led strategies for livelihood enhancement in rural India

• Water hyacinth infestation severely degrades water quality in rural backwaters, affecting livelihoods and health • Water hyacinth proliferation reduces fish catch by 65 to 70 percent and leads to monthly income losses of ₹3000 for affected households • Community members support sustainable solutions such as biofertilizer production to utilize water hyacinth effectively • Participatory mapping reveals extensive coverage of water hyacinth, highlighting its ecological and economic impacts • The study aligns with Sustainable Development Goals emphasizing clean water, sustainable consumption, and biodiversity conservation Water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) threatens water quality, ecosystem health, and livelihoods in wetland ecosystems. Despite various control efforts, its rapid proliferation intensifies water contamination and economic hardships. The current study assesses its environmental and socio-economic impacts while exploring sustainable, community-driven management strategies. A Convergent Parallel Mixed-Methods Design was employed, integrating water quality analysis, household surveys ( n = 189), key informant interviews ( n = 14), Quadrant sampler, and Participatory GIS (PGIS) mapping. Physicochemical and microbiological water parameters were analyzed, while socio-economic impacts were assessed through surveys. Statistical analysis was conducted and spatial distribution analysis. Findings indicate pH levels (5.9–6.3), turbidity (>12 NTU), and Escherichia coli contamination exceeding WHO/BIS limits. Water hyacinth coverage ranged from 75 to 94 %, contributing to a 65–70 % decline in fish catch and monthly household income losses of ₹3000. However, 83 % of respondents supported biofertilizer production, highlighting potential for sustainable utilization, particularly in communities facing rising costs of chemical fertilizers. Water hyacinth management requires integrated ecological and economic strategies. Community-led bio-utilization offers a sustainable pathway for mitigation, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Future research should assess long-term viability of biofertilizer production and scalability of community-based interventions in similar regions.