Haryana may take help of drones to check infestation

CHANDIGARH: Facing threat from the locust swarms that have wreaked havoc in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and several parts of Maharashtra, the Haryana government has issued a red alert in the state to deal with the situation. Since the pest attack comes at a critical time, the government is taking several steps to ensure preparedness.

The state government is also considering employing specialised drones to spray pesticide to contain the locust attack.

The state authorities have asked the drone operator company to get the clearance of civil aviation department. Apart from it, huge stock of pesticides used to control locusts are being maintained at block-level. Dedicated WhatsApp groups, including progressive farmers and the senior officials of agriculture department, have been formed for a quick resolution in cases of attack.

A large number of pesticide spray pumps mounted on tractors in the vulnerable areas have been also been kept on standby. However, the senior officials of the department are of the view that the swarm witnessed in Hanumangarh area of Rajasthan, which was expected to enter the state, appears to have diverted towards Madhya Pradesh because of strong winds on Wednesday.

Additional chief secretary for agriculture and farmers welfare Sanjeev Kaushal said special teams had been constituted, which were ready to battle with tractor mounted with pesticide spray equipment. Sufficient stock of pesticide has been stored in the state. DCs are reviewing the situation in the state.

Kaushal, however, said that they have received reports that the swarm of locust noticed in Hanumangarh area, which had chances to enter Haryana, had change in its direction.“Most vulnerable areas are Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Narnaul and other southern parts of the state. Fortunately, there is no standing crop. It may damage only cotton crop sown recently,” Kaushal added. Meanwhile, a drone operating company that had used drones to control locusts in Jaipur district of Rajasthan recently approached the Haryana government to contain the locust infestation.

After feedback, the state authorities noticed some issues, including clearance from civil aviation, capacity of drone to lift more pesticide for spray and its battery life.“We are getting more feedback from Jodhpur-based locust monitoring institute about use of drones and will take action accordingly. As of now we have asked the company to take clearance from civil aviation,” Kaushal said.