The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Centre on two highly-invasive and alien fish species being used as biological agents for controlling mosquitoes. The tribunal was hearing a plea about two fish species, Gambusia Affinis (Mosquitofish) and Poecilia Reticulata (Guppy), being released in water bodies to control mosquitoes in many states.

It said the National Biodiversity Authority has declared these two fish species as “invasive and alien” as they adversely impacted the local aquatic ecosystems by causing food scarcity for the indigenous fish species.

It also referred to the ban imposed on Mosquitofish by countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

The plea referred to a report by the Invasive Species Specialist Group, as per which Mosquitofish was among the 100 world’s worst invasive alien species.