Hindustan Times 29.09.2010
BMC to check mosquito breeding in societies, homesAfter cracking down on slums and building construction sites for breeding mosquitoes, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now trained its sights on housing societies and individual households to tackle breeding sites inside them. According to statistics available with the civic body, in September, there were 6,000 positive cases of malaria and dengue, of which 10 per cent are due to mosquitoes breeding insides private premises.
“The civic body will now be tackling breeding sites inside societies, building compounds and homes with the help of local groups and advanced locality managements,” said additional municipal commissioner, Manisha Mhaiskar.
One such awareness drive was flagged off in Bandra on Tuesday, where the ALMs, various groups and civic officials came together. Mhaiskar, too, was present at the meeting.
She said information pamphlets and manuals stating dos and don’ts would be distributed by these groups in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the civic body, in order to generate mass awareness about mosquito-borne diseases, the civic body has launched a 2.5-minute public service advertisement starring Nana Patekar, which was released by Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, on Tuesday.
The advertisement appeals to people to maintain a clean and hygienic environment and take timely treatment to prevent the disease. The ad will be shown in theatres, malls and public places.
The BMCplans to make more such films under the Mumbai Aarogya Abhiyaans.
