Urban News

The Hindu  14.10.2010

Corporation to enlist more malaria workers for anti-mosquito operations

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

SAFETY MEASURES:A change in the timing of fogging and spraying is expected to help contain the mosquito menace. A Chennai Corporation staff at work in a slum near Greams Road recently

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will soon enlist 248 more malaria workers, as part of efforts to intensify its anti-mosquito operations. A change in working hours of workers is also under consideration to make the operations more scientific and systematic. Many of the existing 1,100 malaria workers have, however, voiced their opposition to the civic body's proposal to change the timings as that would make them work in the evening and early morning hours.

An official of the Corporation said that the workers now carry out fogging and spraying operations from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pyrethrin is used for fogging operations and temephos for control of mosquito larvae.

According to research study, many of the mosquitoes that cause illness are active in the early morning and in the evening. But, fogging operations are not carried out during this time for want of manpower and reluctance of workers, the official said.

At present, only a small section of the workers are able to function during the time scientifically found to be effective for mosquito control operations. Those who work are doing that out of willingness to be on duty during the evening, the official added. Inspiring malaria workers to work during the appropriate time, increasing the manpower and breeding source reduction would be the focus of the civic body in the coming days.

Structural changes in town planning would be the long term solution to the problem. There is awareness that reckless use of fungicide and fogging operations too is not good for the environment, he added.

The Hindu            12.10.2010

Minister expresses concern over indiscriminate dumping of garbage

Special Correspondent

Photo: P. Goutham

Health hazard:Traders indiscriminately dump garbage in Tirumanimutharu river in Salem. —

SALEM: Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam has expressed concern over the growing menace of indiscriminate dumping of garbage, especially from the road side eateries and shops all over the city, which he says would cause serious health hazards.

The Minister pointed out that during his two-day visit to wards last week, he could see plastic waste and other garbage everywhere presenting unsavoury picture to all. General public and those who run hotels and eateries and traders in the city nonchalantly resorted to the dumping not only on roads and streets but also in river courses and drainage channels leading to choking at many places.

Cooperation

Dumping of garbage was also found in Tirumanimutharu River.This, he feared, would also lead to severe health problems in the city.

The Corporation had to remove the piling garbage daily. If they were not cleared, public were free to inform either the Mayor or the Commissioner.

He asked the public to co-operate with the officials and place the garbage in dust-bins.

They could not be thrown at all places in the city, which would invite stringent action from the civic body.

The Minister also wanted the people to avoid using plastic tea cups and plastic bags etc., and dispose them off in places of public and drainage channels. Because of that environment also got degraded.

Hence, general public should cooperate with the civic body to keep the city neat and tidy, he urged.