Mosquitofish, used to fight mosquitoes, has become invasive in India (GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- In the last few months, various government and non-governmental organisations in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab have released mosquitofish into local water bodies to address a mosquito menace that locals have complained about.
Burden of mosquito-borne diseases:
- The world’s climate and habitats have changed noticeably in the last century, accelerating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Today, these diseases prevail in more than 150 countries worldwide, affecting more than 500 million people.
- In India alone, around 40 million individuals contract mosquito-borne diseases every year, and mosquito-borne illnesses have remained a persistent public health concern for many decades.
What is mosquitofish?
- In the 1960s, approaches including introducing mosquitofish in freshwater ecosystems to feed on mosquito larvae became prominent as alternatives to chemical solutions like pesticides, which were found to have dire adverse effects on both human health and the ecosystem. The uptake of these alternatives increased in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Many of them were considered to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. Among mosquito predators were two species of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki.
- These species of mosquitofish originated in the U.S. but today have become global inhabitants.
- They are notorious for their detrimental ecological impact, including displacing and preying on native fauna, leading to the extinction of native fish, amphibians, and various freshwater communities.
- As such, Gambusia stands out as some of the most widely dispersed freshwater fish, aided by their robust adaptability and high tolerance for fluctuating environmental conditions.
Is mosquitofish ‘used’ in India?
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s nodal medical research organisation, plays a significant role in mosquito management in the country particularly in the context of controlling mosquito-borne diseases and conducting research to develop effective strategies.
- In 1928, Gambusia was first introduced in India during British rule. Later, various governmental organisations, such as the ICMR, the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), local municipal corporations, the Fisheries Department, and the Health Department, alongside other private organisations in India, took over as part of their efforts to combat malaria.
- The idea of this scheme was that the newly introduced species would prey on or compete with mosquito larvae, reducing the latter’s population.
- The government also entrusted several municipal corporations, district administrations (and their health departments), fisheries departments, tribal development agencies, local aquaculturists, and the general public with introducing these fish across India.
- Today, as in the American story, Gambusia, has become widespread in India as well, establishing self-sustaining populations in various habitats around the country.
What effects has mosquitofish had?
- The researchers recently investigated the diversity of haplotypes and genotypes within Gambusia species in India. (Haplotypes are DNA variants likely to be inherited together; the genotype is an organism’s entire genetic material.) They revealed the widespread distribution of G. holbrooki and, to a lesser extent, G. affinis, the latter especially so in Northeast India.
- Wildlife biologists and conservationists consider mosquitofish to be among the hundred most detrimental invasive alien species.
- Aside from their resilience, these fish also have voracious feeding habits and have demonstrated aggressive behaviour in habitats to which they are introduced.
Impacts in other countries:
- In Australia, introduced mosquitofish have led to the local extinction of the red-finned blue-eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis), an endemic fish species. They have also been observed preying on the eggs and larvae of native fish and frogs.
- A study from New Zealand highlighted the threat posed by Gambusia to their native aquatic biodiversity. In India, some reports have indicated a decline in Microhyla tadpoles following the introduction of Gambusia.
- For these reasons, the World Health Organisation stopped recommending Gambusia as a mosquito control agent in 1982.
- In 2018, the National Biodiversity Authority of the Government of India also designated G. affinis and G. holbrooki as invasive alien species.
How can mosquitofish be controlled?
- The first has to do with the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare displaying a recommendation on its website for the use of Gambusia and Poecilia (guppy) fishes to manage mosquitoes. This recommendation must be removed.
- Second, for effective mosquito control, alternatives to Gambusia should come from local solutions.
- Experts have suggested a collaboration between mosquito biologists/entomologists, invasion ecologists, and fish taxonomists, with a focus on river basins. Together, they can compile lists of native fish species in each basin that are capable of controlling mosquito larvae.
- Then, based on these lists, authorities can release the relevant species into the natural environment, sidestepping the risk of ecological repercussions posed by invasive alien species.
The growth of India Bangladesh ties
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned to power in Bangladesh for a historic fourth straight term after her party, the Awami League, secured two-thirds of the seats in national elections.
- Prime Minister of India was among the first world leaders to congratulate her, illustrating the close bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Historical aspect:
- The foundation of India’s relationship with Bangladesh was laid in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. India provided critical military and material support to assist Bangladesh in its fight for independence from Pakistan.
- Despite this, relations soured within a few years as military regimes took control. There was a rise in anti-India sentiment in the mid-1970s over issues ranging from boundary disputes and insurgency to the sharing of water.
- The instability continued for a few decades until Sheikh Hasina came to power in 1996 and scripted a new chapter in bilateral ties with a treaty on the sharing of Ganga waters.
- Since then, India and Bangladesh have built cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure, connectivity and defence.
What about economic cooperation?
- Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade. Bangladesh has emerged as India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $18 billion in 2021-2022 from $10.8 billion in 2020-21, though there was a dip in 2022-23 due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
- India is also the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh, with exports amounting to $2 billion in Indian markets.
- In 2022, both nations concluded a joint feasibility study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement, typically designed to reduce or eliminate customs duties on traded goods and simplify trade norms, is anticipated to open up broader social and economic opportunities.
- The CEPA gains additional significance as Bangladesh is set to lose its Least Developed Country (LDC) status after 2026, thereby losing its duty-free and quota-free market access in India.
- Bangladesh will be eager to finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, and also pursue the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This dual approach raises concerns for India.
What about infrastructure?
- As a “major development partner” of Bangladesh, India is funding several infrastructure and connectivity projects. Since 2010, India has extended Lines of Credits worth over $7 billion.
- In 2023, they inaugurated the Akhaura-Agartala rail link that connects Bangladesh and the northeast through Tripura. The link has given India access to Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh for the movement of cargo. It is likely to boost small-scale industries and develop Assam and Tripura.
- In the energy sector, Bangladesh imports nearly 2,000 megawatts of electricity from India.
- The BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity focuses on connecting major transport projects in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand, thereby establishing a shipping network.
- India’s attention will primarily be directed towards the Matarbari Port, located about 100 km from Tripura, which Bangladesh is building. The port will establish a crucial industrial corridor linking Dhaka and the northeast part of India.
What are the points of tension?
- The looming Teesta dispute will take centre-stage in the agenda of the Hasina-led government. The issue revolves around the sharing of Teesta’s waters, with Bangladesh seeking an equitable distribution. Another contentious matter is the Rohingya issue.
- The Hasina government aims for the peaceful repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, but its talks with the military junta have been unsuccessful so far. Bangladesh seeks India’s cooperation to influence Myanmar, but the Modi government, which has ties with the junta, asserts that it will deport Rohingyas from its mainland.
- Cross-border terrorism and infiltration are additional threats to internal security. The rise of majoritarian forces adds another layer to the complex landscape.
- While violence against Muslims has increased in India in the past few years, PM Hasina has stood at the forefront to condemn the attacks and express displeasure over comments by Indian leaders on “illegal” immigrants.
What about global ties?
- The U.S. has been vocal in its criticism of the Awami League government, exerting pressure on Sheikh Hasina over “democratic backsliding”.
- In 2021, the Biden administration slapped sanctions on a Bangladeshi anti-crime and anti-terrorism task force, citing human rights violations, and escalated tensions by announcing a policy to restrict visas for Bangladeshis it believed to be responsible for undermining the election process in the country.
- Adding to India’s concerns is the deepening relationship between Bangladesh and China, marked by the substantial Chinese investments in infrastructure in recent years.
- China built 12 highways, 21 bridges and 27 power and energy projects in Bangladesh.
