Dwarka: The sub-city of Dwarka is now infested with mosquitoes. As the sun descends, the mosquitoes seem to take over the sub-city, so much so that the residents find it almost impossible to venture out in the open. However, the influx of mosquitoes is so much that staying put at home is no less than an ordeal. With the administration failing to come up with a solution, the management of many housing societies has begun to take matters into their own hands. Something that is not bereft of its own set of problems.
The early setting in of high temperatures is being seen as the cause of the increased mosquito population. In the last few weeks since the mosquitoes have made their presence felt, very disturbingly, many housing societies in Dwarka have started fogging their apartments blocks with anti-mosquito concoctions. But this is something that is against the norms set by the National Green Tribunal.
Also read | Dwarka: Illegal dry leaves burning pollute subcity air
Rohtas Singh, Malaria Inspector, SDMC says, “Anti-mosquito fogging is not allowed during this season. Fogging can be very harmful to people if done during this season. NGT has clearly banned fogging during this season. It is allowed only during the rainy season.” He adds further, “The present mosquito population is basically Culex variety of mosquitoes. This is not a disease-causing variety but yes, they are definitely an inconvenience.”
But despite the NGT ban many CGHS are resorting to using fogging. A handheld anti-mosquito fogging machine costs around Rs 12000. Many CHGS management committees have bought these machines and are using them on a daily basis to keep the number of mosquitoes down.
Says Anurag Sethi (69), from sector 11, “The SDMC is not doing anything to solve this mosquito problem. Our lives have become very uncomfortable. It is almost impossible to go out after dark. What can we do in this scenario?”
The residents further blamed poor sanitation in the sub-city as the root cause of the high number of mosquitoes. Says Manu Joseph (43), a resident of Dwarka sector 10, “The SDMC must clean its act. Wet garbage can be seen piling up all over the sub-city. Open drains with stagnating water are the norm. Especially the area around the markets where restaurants operate are the worst in this matter. It is a perfect situation for the mosquitoes to breed.”
The experts say that the best way out is to stay indoors as much as possible and use a mosquito net at night, rather than indulge in excessive use of mosquito repellents of any kind.
