Tackling locusts

Sindh has been under locust attack for the past six months. Affected farmers have been crying for government’s help but even now the provincial agriculture minister says he is unable to estimate the extent of loss locusts caused to farmers. He only said surveys were being conducted to determine the scale of the loss, and some of the areas might be declared calamity hit. After the lapse of several months, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced the government’s decision the other day to hire aircraft to kill locusts by spraying toxic fumes. He asked the agriculture minister to request the UAE to provide aircraft for the purpose. He said steps should be taken at the earliest, adding the provincial government would provide the necessary funds, equipment and insecticides.

However, concerned quarters have questioned the government’s planned move to spray poisonous fumes to kill locusts, especially at a time when starlings have begun to arrive in large numbers in the province. Starlings mainly feed on locusts. Experts have expressed fears that the spray of insecticides will have a hazardous impact on the environment and biodiversity. They suggest protecting locust-eating birds and use of nets to catch locusts. Government officials say relying on birds like starlings can only partly eliminate locusts. Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahu admits the hazardous effects of aerial spray but says there is no other option to fully eradicate locusts. He said all aspects would be kept in view and precautions would be taken to protect the environment and flora and fauna. He said the federal government had committed to providing assistance for the elimination of locusts, but it had developed cold feet.

Farmlands in at least 15 districts in the province have been afflicted by locusts. Swarms of locusts destroy crops over many acres within minutes. Recession is when a neighbour loses a job; depression is when you lose yours. This well explains the delayed governmental action on such a significant issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2020.

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