Gambusia fish released in water bodies to fight dengue, malaria

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29

The Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, UT, today released seedlings of Gambusia fish (mosquito-killer fish) in various water bodies of the city to prevent malaria and dengue and maintain ecological balance.

The step was initiated in coordination with the Forest Department to fight against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, which are common in the ongoing season when mosquitoes breed rapidly causing the spread of these diseases.

The department released seedlings at Butterfly Park, Sector 26; Botanical Garden, Dhanas; and Rose Garden, Sector 16. The Gambusia fish would be released in other water points soon.

Dr Abdul Qayum, Deputy Conservator Forest, and Tejdeep Singh Saini, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, were present on the occasion.

“Dr Qayum appreciated the efforts of the Animal Husbandry Department for playing an active role in conservation of the ecology of the Sukhna wetland. The problem of mosquitoes breeding in clear water, especially aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry dengue virus, can be controlled in an ecological manner through Gambusia fish,” he said.

Saini said the Gambusia fish released in the water bodies was being produced at Fish Seed Farm at the regulator end of Sukhna Lake functioning under the Fisheries Department.

The department breeds this fish in March and then

Continued on page 3