Fight against Malaria/ Dengue
Mosquito-killer fish released by Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, UT Chandigarh in collaboration with the officials of Forest Department has initiated steps to fight against mosquito borne diseases like malaria, dengue.
The Department released Mosquito-killer gambusia fish in a pond located at Butterfly Park Chandigarh of the Forest department on 29.08.2024 under the able guidance of Sh. Hari Kallikkat, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Chandigarh. On this occasion, he said that Gambusia fingerlings are released to check malaria/dengue and to maintain ecological balance of stagnant water bodies. It will greatly help in controlling larvae population of various vectors. He further said that it will also be released in other stagnant potential water points shortly by the Department.
Sh. Paviter Singh, Director, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Chandigarh revealed that the Gambusiareleased in the water bodies is being produced at Govt. Fish Seed Farm situated at Regulatory end of SukhnaLake functioning under Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department. The Department breeds this fish and releases it from August onwards as per requirement. He further asserted that in the Northern region, Govt. Fish Seed Farm, Chandigarh is the only farm which breedsthe rare fishes for stocking in stagnant water bodies to prevent mosquito breeding. He told that public mayacquire mosquito-killer gambusia fish from Govt. Fish Seed Farm situated at Regulatory end of Sukhna Lake free of cost for its release at stagnant water ponds, fountains and ponds inside houses as per requirement.
Dr. Kanwarjit Singh Joint Director, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Chandigarh apprised that the mosquito larvae are the pray of Gambusia when they are put into stagnant water points they pray on these larvae and decrease the production of mosquitoes. A single full grown fish eats about 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day. The Mosquito-killer gambusia fish do not ‘over breed’ and maintain population levels that fit their environment. The problem of mosquitoes breeding in clear water, especially Aedesaegypti mosquitoes, which carry the dengue, can be controlled in ecological manner through Gambusia.
