TMC, residents jointly fight to beat mosquito menace

Thane: In order to fight the mosquito menace in city many denizens have started putting mosquito nets, closing their windows in the evening as a precautionary measure to stay away from any disease.
Many citizens stated that they have seen a rise in the number of mosquitoes in the last two weeks. Also, doctors claimed that though there is a rise in these insects, currently people are not suffering from dengue or malaria.

“Fumigation is done throughout the year in order to keep mosquitoes awayAlso, whenever we get complaints of residents stating that there is an increase in these insects in their areas, we increase the number of fumigation. We also keep an eye on the breeding spots and ensure that fumigation is done,” said Dr. Ram Kendre, medical health officer of TMC.

“We are making sure that water is not accumulated anywhere in the surrounding or any puddles formed in the society area so that the population of these insects do not increase further. Since past few days as more mosquitoes are seen around we close all the windows after sunset ,” said Pooja Raisinghani, resident of Kopri.

Few denizens have even installed nets on the windows so that they can keep them open. “In order to make sure that the insect does not enter the house we have put up nets on the windows, with this, we can at least keep the main door open,” said Aditi Ghangurde, resident of Pokhran no 1.

The moth experts stated that one of the reasons for the rise in the number of these insects could be because there is decrease in their predators.

“I have observed that since the past few years the number of dragonflies is decreasing. Many do not know that they need the same kind of environment like mosquitoes to exist. Even they lay eggs in the puddles but they not only eat the mosquitoes but they even eat their eggs. Due to the fumigation not only mosquitoes but other insects are also getting affected,” said V. Shubhalaxmi, moth expert, also known as moth lady of India.