: Nipping the problem in the bud, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) on Friday launched a drive to remove mosquito larvae from the Yamuna riverbank using eco-friendly techniques.
Before the onset of the monsoon season, when vector-borne diseases are at their deadliest, the civic body launched a two-day pilot initiative to fish out the larvae from the water. Sources said the South and East Delhi municipalities were also considering similar programmes to tackle mosquito breeding.
On Friday, using two boats provided by the Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the NDMC conducted the drive from the Boat Club opposite Metcalfe House till ITO barrage.
Fishing out larvae
Instead of spraying diesel and other pest-control chemicals, which has been the practice so far, larvae were removed using nets and deposited into small pits on the bank. The pits were then filled with soil to make sure that the larvae don’t grow into adult mosquitoes.
“The project will help destroy larvae while protecting the Yamuna from pollution,” said NDMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar Gupta.
As per officials of the Public Health Department, who were present during the drive, a large amount of larvae were removed and the results of the action were encouraging.
No impact on dengue and
malaria-causing mosquitoes
The drive, however, will not really impact dengue and malaria-causing mosquitoes as these breed in relatively cleaner water. The larvae found in the river were mostly of culex mosquitoes, which, though a nuisance, don’t carry these diseases.
Mr. Gupta added that a lot of hyacinth was seen along the riverbank, which become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. He added that the authorities would be contacted for an eco-friendly solution.
