(Bell Helicopter getting ready for first sortie)
Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Control operations to check damage to crops from locust attacks are continuing. on July 4, 2020, a new dimension was added in locust control activities. A Bell Helicopter took its first sortie in 65 RD Banda area of Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan and completed its mission of chemical spraying in targeted areas; thereby augmenting the locust control efforts.
Starting from April 11, 2020, till July 3, 2020, control operations have been carried out in 1,35,207 hectares area in States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana by Locust Circle Offices (LCOs). Till July 3, 2020, control operations have also been conducted in 1,13,215.5 hectares area in States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Haryana, and Bihar by State Governments.
In the intervening night of July 3 & 4, 2020, control operations were carried out at 25 places in 6 districts viz. Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Dausa in Rajasthan and 2 places in Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh by LCOs. Besides this, State Agriculture Departments also carried out control operations at 4 places in Jhansi and Mahoba districts in Uttar Pradesh and at 2 places in Bharatpur distrcit in Rajasthan, in the intervening night of July 3 &4, 2020, against small groups and scattered population of locusts.
No Significant crop losses have been reported in the States of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Bihar, and Haryana. However, some minor crop losses have been reported in some districts of Rajasthan, according to a PIB release.
Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are active in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Dausa, and Bharatpur in Rajasthan State and Jhansi and Mahoba districts in Uttar Pradesh.