Mosquito Eradication Campaign

[Shabih Haider]

To,

 All members of GKT

Dear friends,

Subject: Proposal to launch public campaign in Karachi, spearheaded by Greener Karachi Trust, for the eradication of Mosquitoes in Karachi.

Wide ranging approval, including Commissioner of Karachi, and Mr. Siddique Sheikh, Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Division of the federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has been received for the above campaign.

It is now necessary to have this campaign approved by a majority of the members of GKT. Accordingly, a meeting of members and friends of GKT will be held at Sohana Research Farm, at 11 am on Sunday 8^th April, to take a decision in this matter.

Please participate in large numbers and bring other potentially interested citizens as well.

 

 

[Majid Mirza]

Dear Shabih Sb:

Thanks for your mail. However, I am a little uncomfortable with your
call for "eradication of mosquitos" as they obviously must play a role
in the natural ecosystem. Is the solution "eradication" or control of
the mosquito populcation? In addition, I can't imagine how else you
would do this without dousing tons of chemicals into the air.

Do you have any experienced scientists on board who are advising you
on how to go about this in the most sustainable manner?

Any details would be appreciated.

Regards,

Majid.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Livelihood Program Coordinator
Engro Foundation
www.engro.com

[Zahra Ali]

Dear Majid,
Thanks for the email.
Here is what I know through M.Futehally shb.

His idea is to add oil ( i dont remember which) to standing water that will block the oxygen for mosquito larvae and eventually discourage their growth that can be harmful for us.

z

[A Ercelan]

any oil works. recycle car oil!

keep frogs in ponds. dont chase away geckos.

mostly, learn to live with nature :-d

------------------------------

[Shabih Haider]

Actually I saw these responses just now and replying the last one to cover all. The idea is prevention rather than cure. What we use is emulsified Kerosene Oil mixed with large quantities of water. This means no pesticide chemicals as such and use it only in targeted areas not on the current generation of mosquitoes but on the coming one that is in the form of larva yet. So tons are not needed. Only a thin film of this mixture is required for a limited time over pools of stagnant water to take care of the breeding generation of mosquitoes.

 

It is cost effective as well as least environment damaging way to achieve our goal.

I don't remember seeing mosquitoes name in the list of endangered species and I don't think it should be a point of concern to us!

 

Shabih Haider

[A Ercelan]

why privilege humans over the rest of nature?

------------------------------

[Majid Mirza]

I understand that mosquitoes are not an endangered species, however,
the repercussions of influencing nature in any way, endangered or not,
need to be forecasted and assessed before taking action. Good
intention is one thing, but due diligence is another.

Just my two paisas - it is up to your discretion.

Regards,

Majid.

[Shoaib Zaidi]

Please do not use car oil etc.  It runs off into the waterways.

"Soil and Water Pollution

Once motor oil escapes the engine, it has the potential to travel long distances, and most used motor oil eventually makes its way into waterways in the form of runoff. (See Reference 5, Page 5) Once it reaches waterways, used motor oil is toxic to plants and animals living in the water, and its film can impair natural processes, such as oxygen replenishment and photosynthesis. (See Reference 3) Used motor oil can also pollute soil and drinking water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1 gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water. If used motor oil reaches sewage treatment plants, even small amounts -- 50 to 100 parts per million -- can foul the water treatment process. Soil becomes less productive when exposed to used motor oil. (See Reference 3)"

http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/used-motor-oil-pollute-20129.html

Also 

http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/stormwater-feature.html

If you must  oil, use olive oil or other cooking oil.  

-

> Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 22:11:50 -0700
> From: awar...@yahoo.com

> Subject: Re: Mosquito Eradication Campaign

> To: sabzs...@googlegroups.com

[Zahra Ali]

Thank you shoaib and majid. I agree. We must do a proper research n
ask the experts before we start any such a project. Do keep sharing
your opinons and ideas.
Y n i were not able to make it today to the meeting. Shabih sahab what
r the updates:)

On 4/7/12, Shoaib Zaidi <shoaib...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Please do not use car oil etc. It runs off into the waterways.
>
>

> "Soil and Water PollutionOnce motor oil escapes the engine, it has the

[Shabih Haider]

No body turned up! We keep discussing issues from our comfort zones and fail to appear at the call for any action! God bless us. Myself and Mr. Futehali kept waiting till noon and then called it a day!

Shabih

[Zahra Ali]

its usually the same each time we had a meeting or an activity....