Drones To Utensils, Every Strategy Being Used By Farmers, Authorities To Defend Against Locust Swarms

As locusts swarm engulf urban and rural areas of several states in North India, people are different methods to combat them.

Image: PTI

New Delhi: Locusts swarms are swooping over many places in North India and is making authorities use different methods to combat them. Locust swarms have changed their usual strategy of flying in low lying areas and seem to be flying at a great height which is why Rajasthan is going to use drones and planes to attack these swarms. The Union minister for agriculture Kailash Chowdhary has requested the DGCA to help the government with planes that can fight the locust menace from a height by spraying pesticides. Additionally, the Rajasthan government is considering issuing tenders for drones that can be used in countering the locust menace said an ANI report. Meanwhile, farmers of Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district are banging utensils to try and keep the locust away which are attacking their farms. Disinfectants and pesticides are also being sprayed on trees and crops to protect them from locust attacks. In a report by ANI, Jainendra Kumar Kaunjia who is an agricultural scientist was quoted saying, “There is a great possibility of damage due to locusts. The Agricultural department and administration are keeping an eye on the issue.” Whereas, farmers in Jabalpur have arranged for water tankers and chemicals for spraying on locusts to drive them away. The district magistrate, Bharat Yadav said in an ANI report, “Locusts are repelled by loud noises and spraying, if locusts swarms attack, we will be ready. Farmers have arranged for water tankers and chemicals for spraying as advised by the agricultural department.” According to an IANS report B.R Karwa who is the project director Agricultural Technology Management Agency said, "As there are no standing crops in the fields, there is no loss in this season. However, we are adopting newer measures to check any loss in the coming seasons." On Monday several residential colonies in Jaipur woke up to a sudden swarm of locusts. Officials even say that it was for the first time that locusts have attacked residential areas in the summer months. Karwa also said in the report that the locusts entered Jaipur in the winter of 1993 and it is after three decades, that they have attacked the city in summer. The Agricultural department blames neighbouring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan as these swarms were breeding in those areas and they haven’t done anything to control these pests. Usually the breeding centers are in Africa and hence they’d take time to reach India.