The river lilies invade the waterways of Dominican Republic after every rain. The Jacinto de agua lilas float down Rio Ozama as they continue on to the Caribbean Sea.
The Rio Ozama view from Puente Flotante looking up river towards Puente Ramón Matías Mella. Puente Juan Pablo Duarte can be seen in the distance. The river is filled with Jacinto de agua (river lilies) as far as the eye can see.
Jacinto de agua, river lily, lilas de Rio Ozama, whatever you call them they are both pretty and ugly. Their small purple flowers and bright green color can make them look beautiful. They make a green carpet on top of the water. The problem is that this intrusive plant carries with it pollution. The plant sucks the nutrients needed for indigenous river species from the environment.
When there is rain the plant breaks away making its way down river. Jacinto de auga causes havoc as it passes on its way to the sea.
The Dirección General de Dragas, Presas y Balizamiento de la Armada de República Dominicana work to move the lilies backed-up against the Puente Flotante. They open the floating bridge and move the Jacinto de agua towards the sea where they have boats ready to try and clean up the mess before it gets to the Caribbean.
The Dominican Dogs, Inteliperra and Buenagente, are sad as they observe Rio Ozama filled with trash mixed with the Jacinto de agua as it makes its way to the Caribbean Sea.
More information – Las lilas (Jacinto de agua) del Ozama
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Liberan al río Ozama de 700 toneladas de basura