Bioenvironmental control of malaria linked with edible fish production in Gujarat
Gupta, D.K.; Sharma, R.C.; Sharma, V.P.
Indian Journal of Malariology 26(1): 55-59
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-8326 PMID: 2806688 Document Number: 343618
By 1985, a project for bioenvironmental control of malaria was extended to the whole of Nadiad taluka in Kheda district, Gujarat, India, covering approximately 350 000 people in 100 villages. This project aimed to achieve integrated control by a combination of source reduction of mosquito breeding sites, minor engineering works, biological control, prompt case detection and treatment and health education - i.e. through community participation in vector control activities linked with rural development. Two income-generating schemes were favoured in the area: social forestry and edible fish production. An account is given of production of food fish together with larvivorous fish, the income thus generated and the amenities provided by spending this income on levelling, draining, improving existing fish ponds and constructing anti-flood ramparts, all resulting in large-scale elimination of mosquito breeding sites. In addition to rearing guppies for the control of mosquito larvae, the malaria control project in Nadiad taluka, Kheda district, India, used 8 village ponds to rear carp (6 species) and prawns. The ponds were treated with inorganic fertilizers, cattle feed and cow dung to promote the growth of plankton. With an average annual yield for the first 2 years (1987-88) of 1099 kg/ha, a net annual income of 6076 rupees/ha and 201 ponds (481 ha) in the taluka that could be used, the potential income from fish culture would be enough to finance the malaria control project entirely.J.E. Hudson.