Goans love large spacious verandas and balconies and this love is reflected in our houses old and new. These open lounge areas are characteristic features of Goan architecture; the ‘balcao’ being synonymous with laid back bonhomous afternoon or late evening ‘gozali’ (chats) between neighbours and friends. The cement sofas or wooden benches in the balcaos often doubled up as beds for blissful afternoon siestas.
Interestingly, nowadays we hardly get to see people sitting in the ‘balcao’ or the many balconies that adorn modern bungalows, reducing these airy open spaces into mere ornamental pieces. I decided to do a quick survey to try and find the main reason behind this strange contradiction. Except for Antonbab, who is forced to sit in the ‘balcao’ whenever his children call from London because the mobile network inside is bad, none of my neighbours, friends or relatives dare to sit in their balcaos, especially in the late evenings. And the prime reason for this is a common universal one – the mosquitoes. Labelled as the deadliest creatures on planet Earth by Gates Foundation, these tiny vampires are directly responsible for over half a million deaths every year.
The other day as I was sitting on the beach front with Simao the fisherman, discussing the new CRZ Notification, he adroitly swatted a mosquito sitting on my shoulder. I was taken by surprise as I had never seen mosquitoes on the beach before. His boys, who sleep in the open thatched roof shed, further told me that mosquitoes play havoc at night. Many of them have made canopies/tents out of sticks, agro shade nets and mosquito proof mesh to protect themselves from these tiny yet so mighty enemies. We reminiscenced about the times when mosquitoes made their presence felt only during the hot, wet and humid rainy months. They would disappear at the onset of winter allowing people to sleep peacefully in the open balcaos during the summer. In those days there were no septic systems and tap water – the mini mobile sewage treatment plants, the ambling pigs, would faithfully service everybody’s waste.
Although Simao was quick to lay the blame on the untreated sewage let in the open by the hotels in the neighbourhood, I realized later that a much bigger ‘culprit’ contributed in a much bigger way towards the deadly proliferation of mosquitoes who besides spreading diseases, make life miserable for everyone including our honoured guests – the tourists.
The main reason behind the exponential increase of mosquitoes, a fact admitted to by entomologists, are the badly maintained household septic/sewage systems. The poorly designed/built and maintained septic and sewage systems in the many hotels on the coastline make the situation worse. Add to this our own greed that has made us convert every available space, including the pigsty and the hen house, into rent-able living quarters without bothering about sanitation.
According to insect scientists, decomposing human excreta releases gases that attract mosquitoes and any opportunity to get inside the septic tank is a godsend for the tiny vampires – there is no better place for mosquitoes to multiply and flourish than inside the safe confines of a septic tank. Mosquitoes love it warm and wet and once they lay eggs in stagnant water (the dirtier the better), the adults emerge in about ten days.
According to experts, the pretty simple job of covering the septic tank exhaust pipe vents with mosquito proof mesh itself can bring the mosquito population down to half. Incidentally, the population of our much-fabled crows, the scavenger bird also believed to be the harbinger of good and bad news by our ancestors, is said to be dwindling.
It’s half a century since man landed on the moon; we have guided missiles that can be guided to precisely hit targets thousands of miles away, but an effective enough deterrent against the tiny ‘terrorists’ who have invaded our world still eludes mankind. Although mosquito coils and mats are pretty effective, regular use of this stuff inside the house can actually kill us much before the mosquitoes do. Destroying the breeding grounds and making safe havens like septic tanks beyond the reach of these deadly creatures still remains the best mosquito control option.
Initiatives to control mosquitoes at the household, ward or village level is great but mosquitoes are known to travel as far as three kms from their breeding places in search of food. Therefore a more wholistic collective approach is required. We have a Health Minister who has shown much enthusiasm to provide better services and facilities to the people.
When it comes to health, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. The State government should involve the local panchayat bodies and the different agencies to ensure that septic and sewage systems in villages and towns are properly maintained.
In fact, like ‘Pollution Under Control’ certificate for vehicles, ‘Septic and Sewage System in Order’ certificate can be made mandatory for households and commercial establishments.
Today people have the money to build big bungalows with multiple balconies, but have to stay indoors in fear of the tiny militants who terrorize us on a daily basis. A full-fledged war against mosquitoes will fetch rich dividends in terms of better health, better sleep and can even improve the declining foreign tourist arrivals to the State.
