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Mosquito menace during winter

January 02, 2008 00:00:00


AS the winter is here, life in the city has become further miserable because of mosquito menace. For a long time the mosquitoes have remained as a problem in the city. But there is no sign of any mitigation from year to year. The city authorities are thinking of all highrise buildings, roads and lanes, but giving very little attention on this health-hazard issue.
The Dhaka City Corporation is mainly responsible to eradicate mosquitoes. But we always hear the city corporation's story of shortage of men and materials and budget. For decades the city corporation could not even ensure supply of the required materials for dealing with the recurring problem of mosquitoes.
Every year, before the winter comes, the DCC should line up all the resources to kill the insect. Because this is the breeding season of mosquitoes. There is no explanation why procurement of a certain volume of the needed chemical should be delayed until the peak of breeding season arrives. There should be clear cut policy to kill the mosquito larvae throughout the year.
A few years ago we heard from the DCC about 'guppy' fish project to control mosquitoes. Guppy is a small fish which breeds very fast in filthy and stagnant water and its chief food is mosquito larvae. Destruction of larvae through such biological control must be favoured by environmentalists too.
Aref Khan
Dhanmandi, Dhaka

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