TN has become virtual breeding ground for mosquitoes: Madras High Court

Chennai: Pointing out that the state of Tamil Nadu has become a virtual breeding ground for mosquitoes, playground for stray cattle, dogs and pigs, the Madras high court has said even though the authorities are taking steps to curtail further menace, residents should co-operate to save themselves from health hazards, as many of the citizens are violators of law.

It is no doubt true that mosquito menace is a prevalent one and it carries various viruses and several persons are affected with dengue fever. 

A minister of the state of TN has given a statement that dengue has been curtailed. The fact that there is curtailment shows that dengue is prevalent. 

The severity of mosquito menace in the state was demonstrated by the sitting judges of the Madurai bench of Madras high court by asking the staff to zap down scores of mosquitoes with an electric racket, right on the judge's dais in the centrally air-conditioned court hall, said Justice S. Vaidyanathan while allowing petitions from a hospital and an individual.

The judge said it is very unfortunate that the residents throw garbage in the open drains, thereby causing health havoc to the environment we live and they also dump garbage in plastic bags and throw them on the roads, despite dustbins being provided. Due to the rains, the city has reshaped with waterlogged roads and clogged drains, which are all breeding sites for mosquitoes.   

In this state, many think laws are made only to break/violate, The judge said the corporation officials should ensure that garbage is collected in bio-degradable bags, separately by the collecting persons on a daily basis from home/commercial establishments to prevent the accumulation of wastage on the sides of roads leading to water stagnation. Every citizen should ensure that they put degradable and non-degradable waste in separate bio-degradable covers at home so that there will not be any difficulty in disposing of the same, the judge added.

The judge said, taking note of the fact that the monsoon has arrived, the possibility of stagnation of water on the roads and other places cannot be ruled out. 

In view of this, there was a chance of mosquito breeding, leading to health hazards.  All honest citizens should come forward to remove encroachments on their own, as several illegal regularisations have taken place that has blocked the water channels and stormwater drains, and in some cases, this court was also a party to it by attempting to regularise the buildings contrary to the statute, even though the apex court has passed several verdicts to remove encroachments, the judge added.

The judge said, “Mosquito menace is man-made. Authorities turn a blind eye to the construction of buildings in violation of the Act, and rules and pave way for encroachments. 

These constrict the water line, thereby, making no space for water flow. Actual lake areas, ponds and water channels are being clogged by buildings everywhere, for which the authorities are to be blamed. 

Buildings have become cramped without set backs, roads are narrowed because of encroachments, water bodies carry houses, commercial complexes and courts, all contributing to the stagnation of water everywhere in the city. Every single factor attributes to the negative impact of civic life”. The reason behind the mosquito menace, when analysed, traces back to the above facts. In case of absentee landlords, the land/house was used as a dump yard by the neighbour, which aggravates and attracts mosquitoes. 

In that case, neighbours, who spoil the premises, should be liable for prosecution. “An opportunity for defence should be given to comply with the requirements of Tamil Nadu Public Health Act within a time frame and if admittedly steps were not taken, it was open for the authorities to proceed with those persons, who were responsible for creating health hazards”, the judge added.