The Hindu

Stagnant water not being flushed out regularly: officials 

• Mosquito breeding high in buildings under construction
• Authorities told to implement biological control of mosquitoes

Mangalore, Jan 2: Even as Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) is trying to control malaria in the city, it is finding that the builders are not cooperating with the cause.

The corporation officials are of the opinion that buildings under construction were breeding grounds for mosquitoes, as the builders do not take steps to flush out the water used for curing the structures regularly.

Even during the 15-day curing period, the water has to be changed at least three times as the mosquito larvae become airborne in seven days, they said. National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Bangalore, has observed that it was easy to destroy the larvae than mosquitoes.

In its direction to various civic bodies in the State, the institute has outlined that stagnant water should be tested for mosquito breeding regularly, and the civic authorities should introduce guppy fish to control mosquito breeding.

Chief of the research cell and director of the institute S.K. Ghosh recently held talks with the civic leaders and officials about the need to try out biological control of mosquitoes in the city.

However, only few builders have implemented the measures.

Dr. Ghosh told The Hindu that every city with malaria problem should have guppy-breeding centres.

Research conducted by the institute had found out that about six inches of water was enough for the survival of the fish, he said.

The fish could be introduced stagnant water in buildings under construction, he added.

The MCC does not have a guppy-breeding centre.

Also, it does not have enough stock of the fish to be supplied to areas, which have high breeding rate.

The corporation has identified Kudroli, Kadri, Ashoknagar and Kodical to be high-risk areas.

Health Officer Padmanabha said that the exercise of imposing fine on those violating malaria control norms was turning out to be futile, as the fine charges were less.