Go Green and get a little help from nature’s friends
View(s):The last segment of SAVE GREEN, focused on a very urgent and pressing health issue with regard to the control of Dengue mosquito populations. The article last week focused on minimising garbage disposal and ensuring that garbage is disposed off in a proper manner. This is the main way that water gets stagnated, and then in turn causes mosquitoes to breed in that pool of water. Mother Nature, being the wonderfully planned and organised person, has already devised a natural way of keeping mosquitoes under control. Have you heard of Dragon flies? Dragon flies are double-winged insects, which are commonly found around streams, ponds, lakes and wetlands. The reason is that the larval stage of the dragon-fly, known as a ‘nymph’ are aquatic – they survive in water. Dragon flies are very important predators because they feed on mosquito larvae, and as a result play a major role in the control of mosquitoes.
As stated earlier these dragon flies live close to lakes, streams and wetlands. As a result of the increasing human activities these habitats or natural areas are being rapidly destroyed or disturbed. Noisy boats, construction sites, busy roads all disturb the habitats of the dragon-flies. Dragon flies are also very handy as ‘indicator species’; this mean that the presence (or absence) of dragon flies from a certain area ‘indicates’ or points at the overall health and pollution levels in that area. Since dragon flies are very small in size, a significant accumulation of pollutants and toxins in their habitats have a direct toll on their numbers. This is where you and your friends, neighbours, families come in. Many chemicals are added in to waterways everyday, this can happen with or without the knowledge of the people around.
Activities like, washing vehicles by a stream can add harmful detergents and petroleum chemicals, disposal of household water too can add detergents and harmful sewage in to the water ways, many industries dispose waste water in to nearby water bodies and this can contain trace amounts of pollutants. All these are factors that increase the level of pollutants in the water and harm helpful insects such as dragon flies and also fish. Many varieties of fish present in water bodies can also help in controlling mosquitoes since they feed on mosquito larvae. So do not throw garbage or waste water in to lakes and streams, because water is the source of all life forms and polluting water means that you will be placing many other animals, insects and even humans in harm’s way. So now is your chance, to think before you act, think green; because your actions have an impact on the nature around you and all that it contains. Nature has already come up with natural ways of establishing a balance in the environment but unfortunately the current lifestyles and developments in the world is creating an imbalance. It is your turn to set it right, be responsible, be green.
Do you have any thoughts, ideas, or opinions that you would like to share? (Photos & Ideas) Drop an email to savegreenwithet@gmail.com. Contact: Senal -0774-963386, Joanne-0718-684384
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