Aerial control plan to curb pests in Rajasthan

JAISALMER: Expecting a bigger locust attack by pests flying in from Pakistan border, the locust control department has started working on an aerial control plan. Drones are being deployed to locust-affected areas including Phalodi, Barmer and Bikaner, as well as in some areas of Madhya Pradesh.


The department is working on a plan to promptly destroy locusts coming from Pakistan on entering India.

Locust control department deputy director Dr KL Gurjar said that locusts are continuously entering India via Barmer, Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts and are spreading into other parts of the country.

Pakistan has informed that locusts in their areas are being destroyed through aircraft, in an ongoing operation. He said at present, locusts have reached 21 districts of Rajasthan, nine districts of MP, one district each in Gujarat and Punjab. At present, locusts are being destroyed using tractor sprayers, fire brigade etc. The department has started getting drones for the task. Jaisalmer district collector Namit Mehta said that information system has been strengthened and total 10 posts of locust control department have been set up near the Indo-Pak border. These posts are working in Myazlar, Dhanana and Ramgarh. Barmer collector Vishram Meena said that as per directions received from FAO and the Centre, village-level committees formed for Covid-19 have been asked to keep a watch on locusts too.