As per latest reports, fresh swarms of locust have entered northern Indian state of Rajasthan from neighboring Pakistan. However, the government has increased measures to counter the threat using different methods including drones.
Deputy director of Locust Warning Organisation, K L Gurjar said, “We are able to kill only 50 percent of the swarms despite deploying all the resources. Since the locust are now as pink immature adults that is the most active stage, they can fly swiftly, escaping the pesticide spray. The next fifteen days will be crucial before they become fully grown adult that eat less and are more static.”
He added that the state has been put on high alert and there was a risk of swarms entering Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Gurjar said, “We have asked Pakistan to kill the locusts on their side of the border. But nothing much is happening on the ground”.
CEO of Niti Aayog Amitabh Kant said that drones were effective. Kant tweeted “Drone operations have given good results. It’s a Make in India initiative benefiting the farmers. FAO has also appreciated India for first time usage of drones for locust control”.
