On the face of it, it sounds like an ingenious plan: introducing frogs to do away with the rising mosquito population in the Capital.

The need for an alternative solution isn't unwarranted. The latest mosquito count report shows that dengue-carrying mosquito numbers have increased by over four times in June over the same period last year. Blame it on the early rains. But are frogs the final solution?

“These mosquitoes, domestic or peri-domestic species, breed in flower vases water coolers and water tankers. So is it feasable to put frogs there to control mosquitoeS? It’s not vaiable,” said National Institute of Malaria Research Director, Professor A K Dash.

There's another problem with this scheme. Delhi frog population has all but disappeared thanks to a polluted Yamuna and disappearing wetlands.

Reports suggest that state health department may ship Frogs from neighboring UP and Haryana to make up for the obviously dwindling numbers. But conservationists have given the idea a thumbs down.

“Importing frogs is not viable. We need to improve the habitat and pollution levels, the reasons that old stock dies out in first place. Frogs from outside may die out for same reason,” said Sajeev from the Bombay Natural History Society.

For now it is these fish gambusia and guppys already introduced to some of the water bodies in the Capital that are best suited to do a clean up job on mosquito larvae. So it is fish not frogs that the ministry should be placing its bets on.

Technorati Tags: Government India