Dhaka's Dengue Crisis: Chemical Control Proves Futile and Harmful
Dhaka faces an 'invincible dengue' crisis as persistent chemical pest control, like fogging, proves ineffective against resistant Aedes mosquitoes and causes severe environmental and health damage. The article advocates for an integrated pest management approach, focusing on understanding mosquito life cycles, utilizing natural predators, improving sanitation, and eliminating breeding sites. It warns against further chemical drenching given the cumulative toxic load and unknown long-term effects on humans and ecosystems, urging a shift away from synthetic pesticides for sustainable solutions.
The article critically examines Dhaka's escalating dengue problem, attributing its persistence to the long-term, detrimental reliance on synthetic chemical pest control. Historically, this approach has proven unsustainable, leading to pest resistance, biodiversity loss, and significant harm to humans, animals, and plants. In Dhaka, routine insecticide fogging is ineffective against Aedes aegypti, which has likely developed resistance, while simultaneously poisoning an already polluted environment. Improper spraying techniques and timing, often by untrained operators, further exacerbate the problem by merely increasing chemical load without curbing mosquito populations.The city's environment, inundated with countless chemical substances from household products to industrial waste, is already compromised, weakening its natural buffering capacity and making it conducive for Aedes proliferation. The author, Dr. Md Sohrab Ali, emphasizes that continued chemical drenching poses moral and scientific questions due to unknown long-term health and ecological impacts, including the transformation of chemicals into more toxic compounds, a concern highlighted in 'Silent Spring.'Instead, the article advocates for an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy centered on biological control. Key recommendations include: detailed study of Aedes' life cycle to identify vulnerable stages, particularly larvae; leveraging natural enemies like dragonflies and insectivorous birds; eliminating breeding habitats and food sources; and ensuring proper sanitation and waste management. This integrated approach offers a more effective, low-cost, and environmentally sound solution compared to the futile and hazardous chemical saturation currently employed in Dhaka.
