€1m project to eradicate invasive plant from river

A €1 million project is to be undertaken to eradicate an invasive Indian plant which is eroding land and threatening fish habitats in a north Cork angling river.

Himalayan Balsam, known as the Policeman’s Helmet, competes with native vegetation for space and leaves exposed banks of silt on the riverside when it dies in the autumn.

The silt in turn poses a serious threat to salmon eggs in spawning beds when it is washed down river in winter floods.