Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Eradicates 92,000 Rats, Aims for 1,00,000 by Month-End
Navi Mumbai, 24th July 2024: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is intensifying its efforts to prevent the spread of diseases such as plague and leptospirosis, particularly during the monsoon season. To address the issue of rodent infestation, the civic body has successfully eradicated over 92,000 rats this year, with the total expected to reach around 1,00,000 by the end of the month.
Due to a significant increase in the rat population in recent years, NMMC established a dedicated rodent control department. Over the past decade, this department has eliminated approximately 1.6 million rats through various initiatives.
Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde provided an update, stating, “We have already eliminated nearly 92,000 rats and mice this year, and this number will rise as we continue our efforts during the monsoon.”
He noted that improper waste disposal, especially in areas with hawkers, gaothans, and slums, contributes to the rapid growth of the rat population. Many housing societies also fail to maintain cleanliness, further exacerbating the problem.
To combat the issue, Shinde explained, “We use poison tablets in high-rodent areas, along with traps and spraying techniques. This year, around 500 rats and mice have been caught using traps.”
The commissioner urged residents to maintain cleanliness around their homes and neighbourhoods to help reduce the rat population. “If rats cannot easily access food and if the environment is clean, their numbers will naturally decline. Cooperation is essential in this ongoing battle,” he added.
A civic official highlighted the rapid reproduction rate of rats and mice, noting that a single pair can produce up to 15,000 offspring in a year due to their short birth cycle and lifespan of about 18 months.
