Pune startup takes on India’s mosquito menace with a sustainable, eco-friendly solution
The startup has received support and funds from CSR initiatives such as the ICICI Foundation and the ONGC Foundation, to combat mosquito-borne diseases in Dharavi and 75 anganwadis.
In an innovative approach to combating the mosquito menace in Dharavi, Asia’s most populous slum, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently adopted a device named Eco BioTrap. This unique tool, developed by Pune-based social startup, EcoBio Group, is designed to help control vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, which continue to plague the region.
The mechanics of the Eco BioTrap, which takes the form of a bucket or a pot, are rather straightforward. Users fill the device with water and position it in mosquito-infested locales. Over the subsequent days, an attractant within the device mimics a breeding ground, luring female mosquitoes. Once these mosquitoes lay their eggs, an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)—an insecticide approved by both the government and the World Health Organization (WHO)—ensures that the mosquito lifecycle is interrupted, thereby preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for global efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases Pune
The pressing issue of mosquito-borne diseases is not exclusive to India but is indeed a global concern. As per WHO estimates, nearly half the world’s population is potentially at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100–400 million cases annually. The World Malaria Report 2021 by WHO reveals that an estimated 241 million malaria cases and 627,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded worldwide in 2020, marking a substantial increase from the previous year. It should be noted that India accounted for 1.7 per cent of global malaria cases and 1.2 per cent of global malaria deaths.
“Despite significant advancements in technology and space exploration, we have yet to effectively address the persistent issues of dengue and malaria,” observes Prasad Phadke, the CEO of EcoBio Group. According to him, the Eco BioTrap has shown promising results in Dharavi owing to its user-friendly design and environmental safety. Moreover, unlike many other mosquito control devices, it does not rely on electricity, making it more accessible and sustainable.
Phadke elaborates on the meticulous research that went into the creation of Eco BioTraps, particularly into the science of mosquito breeding. The traps are made from recycled corrugated boxes—similar to those used by e-commerce companies for product delivery—which can hold water for four to six weeks. The trap contains a sachet with the attractant and the insecticide, which, when activated by water, attracts female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. The insecticide then prevents the eggs from maturing into adult mosquitoes. Each Eco BioTrap can effectively cover an area of around 400 sq ft, is biodegradable, and does not emit any toxic fumes.
Today, the mosquito menace is not limited to tropical regions but is a problem even in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal and scenic locales in France. With a record number of dengue cases in Peru this year, experts caution that the problem is spreading and could exacerbate with climate change. “Our strategy places humans at the center as we strive to innovate a solution to this pervasive problem,” emphasizes Phadke.
The startup has garnered support and funding from CSR initiatives like the ICICI Foundation, which backed the deployment in Dharavi, and the ONGC Foundation, announcing a partnership with them to protect 75 anganwadis from mosquito-borne diseases. The enterprise has been incubated under the ‘Society for Mumbai Incubation Lab to Entrepreneurship’, an initiative of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, and the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator, an initiative of the non-profit TechnoServe. Eco BioTrap is available for purchase on Amazon and through PCI, India’s premier pest control operator. “With PCI’s 1,000 branches spread across 21 states, the scalability of our product is evident,” Phadke notes.
Please, also have a look into : NIA catches ISIS-Inspired Bomb expert providing IED training at Pune poultry farm in 2022 terror case
