Locust attacks continue to ravage the desert areas of South Punjab as authorities fail to exterminate them despite the continuous drives to contain the pest.
Several localities of Fort Abbas and the neighbouring areas of the Cholistan desert have attracted swarms of desert locusts, raising fears of another wave of locust attacks after the monsoon rains provide the perfect opportunity for them to breed and later nurture young nymphs.
According to reports, locusts are attacking and consuming the crops and vegetation in the subtropical area every day.
Sources said locust swarms had wreaked havoc in many villages, including Chak 254, 263, 269 and 239HL, harming cotton, fodder and maize fields in the areas.
In spite of limited resources, farmers are trying their best to eradicate the locusts to protect their crops.
‘Locusts may cause loss of over Rs500b to economy’
The farmers are now demanding that the authorities administer helicopter or drone spraying to exterminate the locusts from the area before they multiply further.
“The agriculture department and the administration are not making any significant arrangements to stop the growth of locusts,” a farmer complained citing his concerns about the implications of the attacks in an already vegetation starved locale.
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture teams contest the claim.
A spokesperson said teams arrive to kill the swarms of locusts as soon as the matter is reported to them.
Experts confirm that the rainy season will provide a favourable environment for the growth of the locust population and, therefore, it is necessary to exterminate them before they proceed to breed.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2020.
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