An artificial hatchery of guppy fish lies defunct near CMC office in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 13: The population of larvae-eating guppy and gambusia fishes, which were released in major surface drains by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to put a check on the city’s mosquito menace, have fallen sharply because of the ongoing drainage repair and renovation works.

Residents of many areas of the city fear the decline in the population of larvae-eating fishes is likely to result in the rise in the mosquito population if no urgent measures are adopted to release guppy fish in all the surface drains before the onset of monsoon.

“The corporation had failed to contain the mosquito menace as no emphasis was given on cleanliness drive last year. With the gradual fall in the guppy fish population in water bodies and drains, the mosquito problem is likely to aggravate further this year,” said Saurabh Das, a resident of Buxi Bazar.

An official of the corporation admitted that a lot of guppy and gambusia fishes had died during the drain repair works at many parts of the city, including the area near SCB Medical College and Hospital.

To compound the problem, two artificial breeding hatcheries near the CMC office and Sishu Bhavan have also been lying defunct for the last few months.

“A lot of guppy fish have died during the renovation of a number of drains in the city. The two artificial hatcheries have also been lying defunct,” said city health officer S. Gadanayak.

Gadanayak, however, assured steps would soon be taken to release guppy fish in all the major drains following completion of repair works.

The release of guppy fish is a natural and continuous process. Some guppy fishes had been released in several drains both inside and outside the SCB Medical College and Hospital, said the city health officer.

Another official of the corporation said July to October is the most active breeding time for the mosquitoes every year. The corporation’s earlier drives of releasing guppy fishes had resulted in the decline in mosquito population in the past. However, the outbreak of dengue in some parts of the state had forced the municipal corporation and the district administration officials to initiate awareness campaigns and launch a drive to check mosquito population last year.