Balochistan minister urges govt action against locusts

Says fumigation has failed to eradicate the swarms

QUETTA: Balochistan Education Minister Yar Mohammad Rind has appealed to the federal and provincial governments to arrange sprays on emergency basis in order to eradicate locusts from the province.

“Local sprays have failed to eradicate the swarms and save crops. The government should step in and arrange sprays on emergency basis in order to get rid of the locusts,” said the education minister in a video

message. The minister maintained that the swarms have started spreading in Kachi and destroying the crops. “The locust attack has caused severe damage to crops in Kachi, Naseerabad and Sibi districts of Balochistan.

This threat may be worse than coronavirus for local landlords.” Rind noted the disaster would be far-reaching, especially hurting the landlords. “I appeal Centre and the provincial government to take steps for the eradication of locusts on immediate basis,” he said.

Briefing on the situation, Rind said the locusts were hatching from the eggs and currently crawling. He  feared destruction of crops in Sibi and Naseerabad when they would start flying and wiping out the crops.

He highlighted that currently the world, including Pakistan, were facing a challenge to deal with a global  pandemic. However, he maintained the locust attack would be another disaster in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2020.