According to Patil, the frog population has dwindled in Mumbai. Although there are no figures to prove this, Patil felt that since frogs could not be spotted easily, they were a shrinking breed. The BMC will also carry out a survey on frogs soon. Next, it will invite private organisations to pitch in. Already, the Rotary Club has assured Patil that they will support monetary assistance as well as man-power. Then, the BMC will pull out its trump card, the Guppy fish.``We will put these fishes in big water tanks and in places where there is stagnant water,'' informed Patil.

The mosquito menaceat Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport prompted Patil to embark on the drive. ``We cannot afford to spoil Mumbai's image if mosquitoes bite foreigners landing at the airport,'' he reasoned. ``If the same mosquito bites slum-dwellers who live near the airport, nothing happens to them.''

The BMC spends about Rs 20 crore on mosquito control every year. A civic committee has also been formed to look into the problem. But according to a senior officer, the corporation needs Rs 50 crore to tackle the mosquito menace. The money would be used for constructing proper drains in and around the airport in place of the 15 nullahs. Patil said he would request the Centre to help the BMC in constructing the drains.