Locusts likely to descend on Sindh by May 15

157 teams formed, 30 camps to be set up to control the infestation

KARACHI: Raising the fear of locust swarms during a meeting on Saturday, relevant officials informed Sindh chief secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah that the pests were expected to descend upon various regions of Sindh by May 15.

According to the secretary's spokesperson, keeping in view the danger, the meeting was apprised of preparations made to combat the locusts.

As per the details shared in the meeting, camps to combat pest attacks would be set up at 30 locations in the provinces and 57 teams, comprising 180 personnel from the Sindh agriculture department and the federal plant protection department (DPP), were also formed for the purpose.

Moreover, the chief secretary was told that the Sindh government had made preparations for aerial spraying of 100,000 litres of pesticide as well as boom spraying of another 25,000 litres. All available resources would be utilised to avert the damage, he was assured.

Following this, addressing the meeting, the chief secretary remarked, "The locust plague is also an emergency situation and has been included in the agenda for the cabinet meeting." He directed the relevant officials to begin procuring pesticide for spraying.

It was also decided during the meeting that data of locust hostspots would be acquired with the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission's assistance and through the use of modern technology.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2020.