New Delhi (NVI): In fight against locust swarms, the Centre said control operations were carried out in more than 3.5 lakh hectares area in many states till July 16.
Starting from April 11 till July 16, locust control operations have been done in 1,76,055 hectares area in states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by Locust Circle Offices (LCOs), a official statement by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said.
The control operations have also been done in 1,76,026 hectares area in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Bihar by the state governments.
Further, the release stated that, on the intervening night of July 16-17, 2020, control operations were carried out at 23 places in 9 districts viz. Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jalore and Sirohi of Rajasthan and Kutch district of Gujarat by LCOs.
Besides this, respective state agriculture departments also carried out control operations at 2 places in the district of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and 1 places in the districts of Pali in Rajasthan on the intervening night of July 16-17 , against small groups and scattered population of locusts, it added.
Meanwhile, the IAF’s helicopter undertook anti-locust operation in Ramsar area of Barmer in Rajasthan today.
“Today (on July 17), swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts were active in districts of Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jalore and Sirohi of Rajasthan, Kutch district of Gujarat and Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh,” the ministry said.
-RJV
