With the prevalence of houseflies on the rise in various parts of the city, the Chennai Corporation on Thursday launched a drive to control the pests.
Concerned about the increasing numbers in many localities, the civic body has formed a group of 600 personnel. As many as 302 hand sprayers and 33 mechanical sprayers will be used to spray a pesticide to control the menace.
As houseflies lay eggs in decaying material, the civic body has asked private conservancy operator Ramky to remove garbage before it starts decaying. It is also likely toimprove conservancy in zones controlled by its employees.
The civic body has also asked the private conservancy operator Ramky to remove garbage generated in Koyambedu market without delay. Decaying material in the market has led to a rise in the number in and around habitations in the area. As many as 140 tonnes of garbage has to be cleared by Ramky from the market area, which is controlled by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
Inaugurating the drive, Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy stressed the need for spraying pesticides two times a day in areas with a high prevalence. These steps are being taken to prevent diseases such as cholera, dysentery and other communicable diseases caused by houseflies.
Special camps will be conducted in areas requiring special attention. Residents may call the corporation’s toll free helpline 1913 to report prevalence of houseflies and seek remedial action.
Keywords: pest control, fly menace
So heartening to read this preventive measures undertaken by corp.of Chennai which will help the poor from major fly borne infectious diseases.It is far better than going to hospitals,loss of income the vicious cycle that brings.About time the chennai corporation has developed the heart to care the down trodden in a very productive&sensible way.
Chennai does not need a "flyswatters." Improve the hygine and cleanliness and that would suffice to ward of flies. Understand that flies like filth and rotting conditions for its infestation. Pesticide is OK but that by in itself would not suffice. My larger point was, no rot, no fly!
The way our city handles waste and garbage has made us a real laughing stock. Request our Mayors to travel to our so called sister cities to get first hand information on how waste is being handled elsewhere. What is a the point in having San Antonio, TX as a sibling when you don't want learn some basic cleanliness from them. Chennai's stink doesn't stop with Coovum. Chennai's Civic authorities, please set up an operational system in place, not a one time remedy.
I have noticed this decaying and the smell and stench coming out of the old decaying matter most times is a nuisance for many.
It would be great if the TN Govt. or CMDA can set up huge composting bins at several places within markets such as Koyambedu market. The vendors should be asked to methodically dump their waste into these bins and not on the passage / roads. This would help control the stench and breeding of insects such as houseflies, mosquitoes etc.
Plus, the composting bins will end up producing nice manure which can be marketed to those very vendors or plant / tree farmers at a very subsized rate. This would be triple damaka. Control pests - control odors - good manure. Hopefully someone takes useful steps like these.
Today the threat to the lives of people living in India is more from unhygienic environment
than from terrorists!! It's time we take this matter very seriously. Practical hygiene education
should be made mandatory in all schools. Like "right to educationg" we should have "right to
hygiene environment". These best practices should start at school so that we can at least
create a healthy India for our grandchildren or great grandchildren.
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