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SUPPLEMENT TO THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
In Kotha Salepeta, Chakkalipeta and Dibbalapalem which follow next the
people live in crowded insanitary huts; the comparatively high spleen rate here
for which no reason was apparent during the April survey is doubtless due to the
A. culicifacies breeding in the Gangala Gedda.
The endemicity in the town areas, where the economic conditions are better
and the houses are mostly pucca is mainly due to the wells breeding A. stephensi
and A. culicifacies, both bad carriers of malaria. But even here relatively higher
figures are found for the poorer people crowded in the Ambusarang quarters and
the Kadirvari lanes of the Fort ward. The other crowded areas of Jalaripeta,
Reliveedi, etc., are relatively farther from the principal breeding areas and their
low spleen rate is doubtless attributable to this.
8. In the light of the above findings, I consider that malaria propagation in
Vizagapatam will be greatly reduced and the mosquito nuisance considerably
abated, if the following recommendations are carried out :—
(a) All public disused wells must be filled up. Private owners must be
made to either fill or properly cover with pucca masonry work all disused wells
in their grounds. The wells that are actually in use (most of them as was pointed
out in the April Report, only sparingly used after the introduction of piped
water supply) must be conserved; and the use of larvicidal fish (Haplochilus
panchax and Melanostigma) which are found in abundance near the municipal
filter beds, may be tried. In any case the responsibility of keeping all collec
- t i o n s o f w a t e r f r e e f r o m b r e e d i n g m o s q u i t o e s s h o u l d b e l e g a l l y f i x e d o n t h e
owner or occupier of a house by an enactment similar to by-laws 381 and 381-A
of the Bombay Municipalities Act (Act VI of 1913).
(b) The Votu Gedda and the Yarri Gedda must be "trained." They
must be straightened and rough-stone pitched at the bottom and stone-edged at
the sides to prevent scouring during floods. A portion of the Yarri Gedda is
already stone edged and this only wants extending in both directions as far as
Dondaparti above and right down to where it joins the swamp near Guanapuram
below. A concrete invert drain in the centre must be provided in both cases, to
limit the stream and prevent it meandering, when there is little water, which is
the case for most months in the year.
(c) If funds permit the same might be done with the Gangala Gedda and
the one near the Gymkana. But for the present, sloping the edges and clearing
them of grass with weekly oil treatment of water collection, when there is any
will be sufficient. I understand that both these Geddas will be trained when the
drainage scheme which is now under consideration is taken up.
( d) The small ponds in Gnanapuram must be filled up. The larger tank
will be sufficient for the needs of the village and can be made safe by conserving
its edges and stocking it with larvicidal fish. The pools behind the parade
ground and in the Gymkhana must also be filled up. Some sort of drainage will
be necessary in both cases, and while permanent drains are under consideration
temporary kuchcha drains can be constructed leading to the main drainage
channels, which will keep the area dry and safe. The kuchcha drains must be
periodically trained and oiled. The Ratla tank is not being used. in any way
and can be filled up. The other tanks must be conserved, their sides cleared of
vegetation up to the low water mark and may with advantage be stocked with
fish.
(e) The plots of land between the Bowdara road and the Waltair
— V i z a g a p a t a m r a i l w a y l i n e , a n d b e t w e e n t h e B o w d a r a r o a d a n d t h e P a r a d e g r o u n d
are full of breeding places. These belong mostly to private owners who must be
compelled to reclaim their grounds and drain them.
(f) Reclamation of the Vupputeru swamp is a part of the town extension
programme now under consideration, and if taken up at once will greatly reduce
the general mosquito nuisance in Vizagapatam. It is within easy silt-pumping
distance from the creek where the dredger will be working, and if the harbour
authorities are agreeable, the reclamation of this piece of the swamp can be
carried on along with the neighbouring harbour area. But even if the whole
scheme cannot, for any reason, be taken up at once, the proposed 100 ft. channel