Golam Mostafa Jibon: Though, the allocation for mosquito repellent increases every year, the infestation of mosquito increases competitively in the capital due to massive corruption, irregularities and negligence of the both city corporations in context of eliminating mosquito.
Now it has now become very difficult to get rid from the nuisance of mosquitoes. City dwellers have terrified by mosquito infestation. Of them, parents of young children are the most terrified. They are spending their days and nights in fear considering the various diseases including dengue, malaria and filariasis. But, there is no proper activity to control mosquitoes except some usual moves for eyewash.
There is complained that, big sum of money is allocated each year in the name of mosquito elimination, but most of the money goes to the pockets of some officials of the city corporations through corruption and irregularities instead of mosquito eradication. City dwellers complained that, mosquito repellent is not sprayed regularly. Although, there are service apps of the city corporations, they complain that there is no remedy. It is not possible for city dwellers to identify which Aedes and which Culex mosquitoes. As a result, there is a risk of contracting dengue and other diseases.
Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, has called upon the officials of various organizations to plant Kadam trees to eradicate mosquitoes.
Not only that, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has released various species of duck and tilapia fish in lakes, canals and ponds to kill mosquito larvae. Thousands of frogs have been released. The project for killing mosquitoes with frogs has not become successful. Then DSCC mosquito extermination is without guppy fish. However, none of these systems have worked.
According to entomologists, this has happened because the sewers, ponds and garbage have not been cleaned at all. The temperature of 32-33 degrees Celsius is conducive to the reproduction of Culex mosquitoes. At present the temperature in Dhaka is favorable for breeding of Culex mosquitoes. In this situation, the city corporation has nothing more to do. Mosquito infestation control needs to be done throughout the year. This work must be done in a systematic way. There is no interest in doing that work by the City Corporations.
It is learned that, there are about 750 kilometers of covered drains along with box culverts in the two city corporations of Dhaka. In which two city corporations cannot spray mosquito repellent. Besides, the drains are filled with various wastes including plastic products, polythene, coconut shells. That is why, water is not disposed through the drains. Culex is breeding in this frozen water. Authorities are not taking any steps to eradicate mosquito breeding in these places. Mosquito breeding is also rampant in water bodies, canals, sewers and scattered plastic products and coconut shell water. The two city corporations have adequate funding for mosquito eradication. Even then, there is no answer to the question of why city dwellers have to endure mosquito bites. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has allocated Tk 85 crore for the current financial year and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has allocated Tk 26.30 crore.
City dwellers have been suffering fromCorona epidemic and dengue outbreak at a time due to poor initiative on mosquito repellent. Besides, suffering from dust, noise pollution and traffic jams has become regular phenomenon. With this, the outbreak of Culex mosquito has become another cause of suffering for the city dwellers. Homes, offices, courts, markets, open spaces, roads, parks, playgrounds and mosques, wherever you go – there is no escape from the mosquito infestation. Sales of mosquito coils, sprays and mosquito nets have also increased due to the failure of the two cities. But, it is matter of sorrow that, those mosquito repellents are not coming to help as mosquitoes are now stronger than these adulterated repellents, many complained.
Some of the aggrieved victims are also complained that the mosquito infestation has been increased in the capital due to strategic reasons to increase the sales of these products. Mosquito infestation is more in ShanirAkhra, Rayerbagh, Goran, Dhalpur of DSCC and Uttara, Turag, Badda, MerulBadda, Satarkul, Dumni, Mirpur, Kuril, Kalyanpur areas of DNCC.
According to the victims, there is no relief from the infestation of Culex mosquitoes anywhere in their homes and workplaces. There is no relief even by burning the coil and spraying the medicine. Culex mosquito control requires cleaning of ponds, sewers and garbage as well as killing larvae.
Although, it is claimed that the two city corporations of Dhaka are carrying out violent activities, the victims said different things. According to them, the job of the both city corporations is to eyewash of the people. Mosquito exterminators sprayed drugs on the side of the main road. They don’t meet much in the inner lane. Besides, other areas are not given the same importance as the elite areas. Entomologist ProfessorKabirul Bashar said that,”The infestation of Culex mosquitoes has increased in Dhaka due to increase in air humidity. Of the mosquitoes now seen in the capital, 98 percent are Culex. The water is drying and thickening. Such an environment is conducive to the reproduction of Culex mosquitoes.
A recent survey of Dhaka’s reservoirs shows that, the mosquito density is about 80 percent. The concentration of Culex mosquitoes in the reservoir had increased significantly at the end of February and the beginning of March as compared to January and December. Mosquito infestation is constantly increasing. In order to get out of this situation, it is necessary to clean the sewers, water and waste and spray the mosquito larvae. Then the situation may improve. The matter should be taken seriously by the two city corporations, it is alleged.
Jahidul Haque, a resident of MerulBaddasaid, I live on sixth floor. Even then we are restless with mosquito infestation. It is difficult to stay at home due to mosquito bites. Coils, sprays do not match the remedy. Atowar Hossain, a resident of Khilgaon said, “The mosquito infestation has increased in the area for the past two months. Homes, shops, offices are nowhere to be found in comfort. Even when children go to school, they are not bothered by mosquito bites.
The entomologist GM Saifur Rahman said that,”Culex mosquitoes breed at a temperature of 32 to 33 degrees Celsius. This time the temperature has started rising after winter. That is why, the reproduction of Culex mosquitoes has increased at the same rate. City Corporation has less chance of success during the Culex mosquito breeding season. The two city corporations have a shortage of appropriate activities.”
The Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Brigadier General Jobaidur Rahman said that,usual activities have already started to control the infestation of Culex mosquitoes in Dhaka like the previous period. Special programs have also been announced. The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health OfficerFazle Shamsul Kabir claimed that, Culex mosquitoes are under control in the DSCC area. Efforts are being made to prevent the situation from escalating.”