NKDA launches comprehensive vector control drive in New Town canals.
Times of India | 13 April 2025
123 Kolkata: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has started vector control drive across 22 periphery canals in New Town, identifying high-risk zones for mosquito breeding through aerial surveillance. The measures include drone surveys, scooping of larvae using insect-collecting nets, using boats to spray larvicides, putting up bamboo barricades, releasing guppy fish, and regular cleaning of the canals.
Since July last year, the authorities dredged over 52 km of the canal stretches as the vector drive was conducted. "Technological interventions have been employed across the canal network to stop mosquito larvae from growing," an official said.
Larvicide is sprayed in specific targeted spots that are otherwise inaccessible due to narrow or obstructed paths along the canal banks using 15 manually operated wooden boats. As part of the canal-focused vector control drive, mosquito larvae and pupae are scooped out daily using insect-collecting nets along canal banks.
"This method is particularly useful in areas where larvicide spraying proves less effective due to the presence of dumped garbage and floating debris," said an official.
Bamboo-made barricades and insect nets are being installed across selected stretches of canals on a temporary basis. "These barricades are designed to block the flow of floating garbage and water hyacinth from the upstream areas, both of which are known to serve as resting places for adult mosquitoes and potential breeding sites. This low-cost and biodegradable solution is highly effective in limiting the spread of breeding materials across wider areas," officials said.
The authorities are conducting drone surveillance to identify potential mosquito breeding sites along the canal network. "This aerial survey provides a bird's eye view of otherwise inaccessible or concealed areas, enabling quick and accurate detection of stagnant water pockets and vegetation build-up. Once these breeding hotspots are identified, ground teams follow up with targeted manual larvicide spraying to eliminate the larvae before they mature," officials said.
As part of the biological control measures, guppy fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, are released in selected stretches of the canals. About 2.5 lakh guppy fish were released last year, and the authorities are planning to double the number this year.
In addition to periodic desilting operations, a cleaning drive is also conducted on the peripheral canals, which involves systematic removal (both manual and mechanical) of jungles, bushes, water hyacinth, silt, and other obstructions from the canal beds and slopes at regular intervals.
Box
What -- NKDA conducting vector control activities across the periphery canals in New Town
The measures --
* Drone surveillance
* Larvicide spraying from boats
* Scooping of larvae and pupae using insect-collecting nets
* Bamboo barricade
* Releasing guppy fish
* Regular cleaning MSID:: 120231778 413 |
Kolkata: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has started vector control drive across 22 periphery canals in New Town, identifying high-risk zones for mosquito breeding through aerial surveillance. The measures include drone surveys, scooping of larvae using insect-collecting nets, using boats to spray larvicides, putting up bamboo barricades, releasing guppy fish, and regular cleaning of the canals.
Since July last year, the authorities dredged over 52 km of the canal stretches as the vector drive was conducted. "Technological interventions have been employed across the canal network to stop mosquito larvae from growing," an official said.
Larvicide is sprayed in specific targeted spots that are otherwise inaccessible due to narrow or obstructed paths along the canal banks using 15 manually operated wooden boats. As part of the canal-focused vector control drive, mosquito larvae and pupae are scooped out daily using insect-collecting nets along canal banks.
"This method is particularly useful in areas where larvicide spraying proves less effective due to the presence of dumped garbage and floating debris," said an official.
Bamboo-made barricades and insect nets are being installed across selected stretches of canals on a temporary basis. "These barricades are designed to block the flow of floating garbage and water hyacinth from the upstream areas, both of which are known to serve as resting places for adult mosquitoes and potential breeding sites. This low-cost and biodegradable solution is highly effective in limiting the spread of breeding materials across wider areas," officials said.
The authorities are conducting drone surveillance to identify potential mosquito breeding sites along the canal network. "This aerial survey provides a bird's eye view of otherwise inaccessible or concealed areas, enabling quick and accurate detection of stagnant water pockets and vegetation build-up. Once these breeding hotspots are identified, ground teams follow up with targeted manual larvicide spraying to eliminate the larvae before they mature," officials said.
As part of the biological control measures, guppy fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, are released in selected stretches of the canals. About 2.5 lakh guppy fish were released last year, and the authorities are planning to double the number this year.
In addition to periodic desilting operations, a cleaning drive is also conducted on the peripheral canals, which involves systematic removal (both manual and mechanical) of jungles, bushes, water hyacinth, silt, and other obstructions from the canal beds and slopes at regular intervals.
Box
What -- NKDA conducting vector control activities across the periphery canals in New Town
The measures --
* Drone surveillance
* Larvicide spraying from boats
* Scooping of larvae and pupae using insect-collecting nets