Locust control operations under way

CS says continuous monitoring needed as threat will persist until end of September

LAHORE: In the aftermath of the attack of swarms of locusts in the Cholistan, the situation is now completely under control, said Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar. “Pesticides have been sprayed on an area of more than 6,000 acres, using specially designed aircraft, vehicles and camels.”

This was stated during a meeting presided over by the chief secretary to review the locusts’ situation in Cholistan and measures to deal with possible floods.

The CS said that continuous monitoring of locusts should be ensured as this threat will persist till the end of September.

He added that high-level vigilance must be maintained to successfully eliminate the pest. He mentioned that local communities should be mobilised for scouting because their cooperation is of significant importance in efforts to combat locusts.

He also asked the departments concerned to remain alert to deal with possible floods and enhance coordination with the federal government to receive timely information about river flows and weather. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director-General Raja Khurram Shahzad briefed the meeting that attack of locusts in the Cholistan has been countered very effectively by spraying pesticides on a large scale. He maintained that aerial spraying was carried out on an area of over 1,000 acres whereas pesticides were sprayed on 5,000 acres by using vehicles and camels.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2019.