Strategy in place to neutralise locust attack in the region: PAU

Ludhiana: As the threat of locusts loom large in the region, comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, scientists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are working overtime to devise a strategy and advise the state government on how to tackle the problem. TOI talked to the head of department of entomology (study of insects), Pardeep Chuneja, about how serious the threat was for the region.

What will be the impact of locusts in the northern region?

The locust can impact Punjab as it may enter in search of vegetation as farmers in south-west Punjab have sown cotton and also paddy is being grown, so risk is there. Three small groups of locusts had tried to enter the state earlier this month but were neutralised the same night at Roop Nagar, Bareka, Diwan Khera, Koel Khera in Fazilka areas. Food and Agriculture Organisation suggests that locusts have been breeding enormously this spring — some are coming from Iran and Pakistan and some are expected next month from Horn of Africa (Kenya, Ethopia etc) to Indo-Pakistan border. A lot will depend on the wind direction, vegetation and breeding of the insect. However, there is need for awareness about the control and alertness on part of officials.

How serious is the problem?

As of now it is not that serious but since insects are still breeding, it cannot be taken lightly. In monsoon, vegetation is there, soil is moist and there is transformation from immature to adult, so the population of locust may increase. We don’t face risk from the swarms that might come from Rajasthan as we have enough time to lock them down and decimate those. But those coming directly from Indo-Pakistan border can be a risk. However, in Punjab, we have comprehensive action plan to tackle the problem.

Do you recall any such threat of locusts attacks in the past?

From 1959-62 there was this plague wherein locusts bred in large numbers for around four years. In 1993, it came again from Pakistan and there was upsurge. We along with the state government had tackled 172 incursions from across the border that time. In 2010, there was breeding on small scale which was localised.

What does it indicate?

It indicates that we were busy in management of Covid-19 whereas we couldn’t pay that much focus to the locust problem as was required. Locusts bred because of cyclone in horn of Africa and even in winters there was rain there. Even in south western Arabian countries it bred because of similar reason as it got moisture and vegetation. In March, there was breeding of locusts in Iran, south west Pakistan and Arabian countries. So because of breeding, we have large number of population now which as scattered in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

What are the strategies to eliminate it?

The locust settles in the evening near the border and flies early morning after temperature rises beyond 17 degrees (covering a distance of 100-150 kilometres or more depending on vegetation and wind direction) then causes damage to vegetation after spreading. So we need to make efforts to kill them at the first place of stay in the late evening. There are sprays recommended for that, which are being widely publicised. We have come up with e-brochures with detailed information about the locust and it’s management and two audios have been released for awareness of farmers.

What kind of impact it will have on farmers?

It can have large-scale impact as locusts can consume any type of vegetation, including crops. Farmers will face huge loss if not tackled.

For cities like Ludhiana, how much of a threat?

Since Punjab has vegetation and is open, so it may not settle on buildings like it did in some parts of India. Instead of settling on buildings and entering those where it can die, it will prefer to settle on vegetation.