Impact of Environmental Changes on Vector Population in an Urban Situation

The activities of the growing population in Pondicherry urban agglomeration, with increasing industries have exerted an enormous pressure on its fragile environment. The lack of proper drainage and improper liquid and solid waste management has led to the breakdown of sanitary facilities. This has created conditions conducive to the proliferation of many disease vectors. The risk of infection with vector-borne diseases has increased due to exponential population growth, industrialization, urbanization and large-scale population movement. Developmental activities based on certain aggregate planning models that have promoted unplanned growth and breakdown of sanitation are the major cause of increase in the occurrence of vector-borne diseases. Developmental activities like irrigation projects, construction of roads, housing colonies, dams and railways are some of the other causes that affect the environment to create an imbalance in the natural ecosystem.