Mangaluru : Even as malaria case is on the decline in Mangaluru City Corporation limits, the civic body on Wednesday sent out a stern warning to under-construction building owners and others who are aiding malaria by causing mosquito larvae to breed on their premises. With more than 350 such under-construction sites dotting the city, MCC during inspection has found mosquito larvae breeding in 34 of these sites and slapped notices on 20 such sites.
Mayor Kavitha Sanil said while the downswing in malaria cases is the lone bright spot in civic body’s fight against malaria, apathy of building owners in general and under construction sites in particular to contain the disease is not satisfactory to state the least. This can be gauged from the fact that 14 out of 34 building owners have not responded to City Corporation’s repeated warnings against the drive on malaria and this apathy is indeed cause for concern.
Citing an example, Kavitha said the MCC team found malaria larvae breeding in under-construction judge’s quarters, a stone’s throw away from civic body’s main office at Lalbagh. “I don’t know who has to be held responsible for this,” the Mayor wondered. The remaining 20 building owners have responded to the warnings and dealt with the issue, she said, adding MCC will be left with no alternative, but to crack the whip against those who continue to defy the civic body.
The punitive action includes imposing fine of up to Rs 15000 for a second notice, the first of which is given during the initial inspection with a warning to destroy the malaria larvae breeding site. If the builders do not respond to the second notice, the health section will recommend to the town planning section to annul the building license, she said, adding, MCC started the crackdown in June and this will continue during the monsoon season when the larvae flourish.
MCC will provide guppy fish to any stakeholder who needs the same to combat malaria larvae thriving on their premises, she said, adding those interested may contact 10th urban health centres that civic body operates. People must cooperate with multi-purpose health workers in destroying potential malaria larvae breeding sites. Builders must provide mosquito nets for their construction site workers and also ensure that the construction site premises is clean, she added.