Rs 10k fine if you breed machchars

BMC warns residents, hotels against mosquito-breeding grounds, as malaria sweeps city with 181 deaths so far this year

BMC warns residents, hotels against mosquito-breeding grounds, as malaria sweeps city with 181 deaths so far this year

To curb the bout of malaria that has bitten the city and already claimed 181 lives this year, the BMC says it is the responsibility of every Mumbaikar and not the civic body alone to keep a check on insect-breeding grounds.

The BMC will hold a meeting today to chalk out new ideas to control the growing menace of mosquitoes.

"Residents and restaurant owners, who allow water to stagnate in containers and flowerpots etc, should ensure such practices are stopped.

If they do not comply with the municipality instructions, we will levy a fine between Rs 500 and Rs 10,000, as we can do is fumigate a mosquito-breeding pool," said Deepal Adsul, chief inspection officer, BMC.

He added that the fine could also be levied on a per day basis.

Machchar ka Jawaab Machchi Se: A Chembur resident has put guppies that feed on mosquito larvae in his garden pool.

Last week, 737 of 10,293 samples tested positive for malaria and maximum cases have been reported in Byculla, Currey Road, Elphinstone Road, Grant Road, Worli, Prabhadevi, Dharavi, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Andheri, Bandra, Santacruz and Khar.

Fish tales

Meanwhile, residents of Pestom Sagar in Chembur are using guppies as a weapon against malaria. They have put the fishes, which feed on larvae, into large water containers at nearby construction sites.

"Water containers at construction sites turn into big breeding grounds. I have also put fishes in my garden pool to ensure there is no mosquito breeding," said Gurunath Gavkar, a Chembur resident.

Malaria Facts

According to WHO, Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes.

In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.

Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting. Malaria can become life threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs.

Treatment includes prompt treatment, use of insecticidal nets, spraying insecticides.

Did you know?
A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds in the world