BHUBANESWAR: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to introduce Gambusia fish (mosquitofish which feeds on larvae) in drains to tackle increasing mosquito menace in the Capital City.
BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said the proposal was mooted more than a month back in order to tackle mosquito menace. Though the Corporation used to spray oil at places where mosquitoes breed, it was washed away most of the times.
In order to contain the menace, BMC proposed to introduce mosquitofish which will eat the larvae. The use of mosquitofish has already begun at several locations that are notorious for mosquito breeding. In the wake of the number of dengue cases being reported in the State, BMC has asked malaria and sanitation inspectors to be extra careful in the coming months to ensure that dengue does not spread in the Capital, Jena said.
BMC city health officer Chandrika Prasad Das said the they received the larvae eating fish, Gambusia, from the Fisheries Department. The fishes are being raised in an artificial water body in Yatri Nivas and once their number goes up, BMC will introduce them in drains where mosquitoes breed, he said. This species of fish is known to multiply very fast. Considered natural predators against mosquitoes, this method is known to be effective in bringing down mosquito density.
Meanwhile, the standing committee on Public Health, Electric Supply, Water Supply, Drainage and Environment under BMC has ramped up its efforts to increase sanitation in the city. At a meeting of the standing committee here on Thursday, it was decided that a Ward-wise awareness programme will be carried out to sensitise the residents about dengue.