Something scary lurks in our rivers

It might look pretty, but Himalayan balsam (Inpatiens glandulifera) is a monster causing havoc in our river ecosystems.

This highly invasive non-native species grows rapidly along riverbanks and ditches where it prevents native species from growing by outcompeting them.

This summer Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust completed the final scope of our project to control and eradicate Himalayan balsam on the Rivers Stour, Box and Brett.

What does Himalayan balsam look like?

Download the ID Sheet below or visit www.nonnativespecies.org for more information.

ID_Impatiens_glandulifera_Himalayan_Balsam.pdf

Download PDF • 5.21MB

ESRT completed 15 days of Himalayan balsam control within the Stour Valley, working in partnership with local interest groups, the public volunteers, and other conversation organisations. Through this project we have enhanced 23.7km of publicly accessible waterway and have seen a notable reduction in regrowth of Himalayan balsam where it had been previously pulled.

We hope to continue with further work in the future to ensure that Himalayan balsam control is maintained, and that new growth is restricted!

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped on this project, it would not have been possible without you!