28 September 2005The Hindu
KOLKATA: The outbreak of dengue in Kolkata and its suburbs could well be a fall-out of global warming, precipitated by environmental changes and resulting in gradual shifts in the eco-balance, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya believes.
The disease has claimed nine lives in Kolkata alone. The toll elsewhere in the State is 15. The number of those affected in the city over the past five weeks is at least 2,500, more than half the total cases reported from the State.
"Attributing the outbreak only to commonly cited factors such as lack of cleanliness is incorrect. How else does one explain, for instance, the very high incidence of dengue cases this year in Singapore — recognised to be one of the cleanest places in the region and which enjoys high standards in health management?" he asked speaking to The Hindu here on Tuesday.
A large number of dengue cases have been reported from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia too, not to speak of Delhi, according to Mr. Bhattacharya. "Health experts and entomologists have been suggesting environmental changes and the concomitant effects of global warming as possible factors for the spread of the disease to the extent it has," he said.
"Though the civic body is combating the spread on a war-like footing, taking steps to destroy the mosquito larvae at the initial stage, the spawning of the larvae in stagnant yet clean water could have an environment-related explanation," he added. It is for improving these conditions that the Mayor has drawn up an elaborate scheme to be spread over the coming years that aims at protecting the city's environment.
"Over the years there has been a gradual destruction of greenery in the city; we plan to go in for more and more tree plantation and to take steps to protect the water bodies," Mr. Bhattacharya said. "This year alone we have planted 46,000 trees in different parts of Kolkata and hope to raise the target to around 50,000 next year."
The KMC will be seeking "the involvement of the commoner" in its environmental drive through a novel scheme — an open photography contest that addresses the theme "How do you look at Kolkata". A painting contest on the same subject will be held for school students. "We want to know more about the citizens' concerns and encouraging their interaction with city development, its environment and other aspects, should benefit us all," Mr. Bhattacharya said.
