Government conducts locust control operations in Rajasthan & MP, more attacks likely till July

As per FAO’s latest bulletin on status of locust, in India, spring-bred immature adult groups and swarms continued to move east and to the central states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

NEW DELHI: Locust Control Offices (LCOs), on Friday, conducted control operations at 10 locations in Rajasthan and 5 places in Madhya Pradesh to control locust swarm, which has been invading several states in the country since April.

“No crop loss is reported. So far a total of 377 spots covering 53,997 hectares has been covered since Locust control operations started from 11th April, 2020. In Rajasthan we have covered 24 districts while in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra we have understated control operations in 24 and 3 districts respectively. In Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat we have covered 2 districts each while in Punjab one district was covered,” an official said.

As per FAO’s latest bulletin on status of locust, in India, spring-bred immature adult groups and swarms continued to move east and to the central states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Much of these movements were associated with strong westerly winds from Cyclone Amphan. Several successive waves of invasions can be expected until July in Rajasthan with eastward surges across northern India as far as Bihar and Orissa followed by westward movements and a return to Rajasthan on the changing winds associated with the monsoon.

“These movements will cease as swarms begin to breed and become less mobile. Swarms are less likely to reach south India, Nepal, and Bangladesh,” the report says.

Agriculture secretary Sanjay Agarwal asked officials of states to get prepared for controlling locust attacks.

“A meeting was held through video conference where all states and union territories were informed about the latest status and control of locust attack. An advisory has also been issued in respect of locust to all the states,” the official said.

The home ministry has instructed all states to streamline the inter-state movement facility for the personnel engaged in locust control works. It has also included purchasing and hiring of vehicles and equipments under the disaster relief fund.

“The quantum of assistance will be limited to the actual expenditure incurred on these items. However, expenditure should not exceed 25% of State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) allocation for the year,” the official said.