Panaji, Jun 19 (PTI) The Goa government has prohibited mosquito fogging by individuals, private agencies and resident associations without prior approval from the competent health authority, warning that unauthorised operations pose serious health and environmental risks.
In a circular issued on June 19, the Health Department said it had come to its notice that mosquito fogging was being carried out at various locations by individuals, private agencies, resident associations and other organisations without its approval or that of local bodies concerned.
The department said such unauthorised fogging was a matter of “serious concern” as indiscriminate use of insecticides could pose health hazards to people, particularly children, elderly persons, pregnant women and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
The circular warned that improper fogging could cause environmental contamination, adversely affect beneficial insects and biodiversity, and lead to insecticide resistance in mosquito populations, thereby reducing the effectiveness of vector control programmes.
It further said unauthorised operators may use unapproved chemicals, incorrect dosages or improper application techniques, besides interfering with the scientific vector surveillance and mosquito control measures undertaken by the government.
“No mosquito fogging shall be carried out by any individual, private agency, institution, resident welfare association or organisation without prior approval of the competent health authority,” the circular stated.
The department said fogging operations would be undertaken only by authorised personnel using government-approved insecticides and in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Health Department.
It directed that all requests for mosquito fogging should be routed through the respective Primary Health Centre, Community Health Centre, Urban Health Centre, Directorate of Health Services or the concerned local body for assessment and necessary action.
The circular instructed local bodies, panchayats, municipal councils, government departments and educational institutions to ensure that no unauthorised fogging activity is permitted within their jurisdictions.
The government further made it mandatory for agencies engaged in fumigation or mosquito fogging to obtain approval from the Plant Quarantine Station (PQS), Goa, under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS), Government of India, and a licence or approval from the Goa Directorate of Agriculture.
“No agency shall be permitted to undertake fumigation or mosquito fogging operations unless it has obtained the required approvals from both the Central (DPPQS/PQS) and the State Directorate of Agriculture, wherever applicable,” the circular said.
It added that operating without these permissions is a criminal offence and poses severe health hazards to the citizens of Goa. PTI RPS RSY
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