Locust threat from Africa, India discussed

A meeting of the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) emphasised appropriate measures to deal with probable danger of locust travelling from Africa and India to the country.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam chaired the meeting on Saturday to review the situation of locust attack across the country. The attendees of the meeting included key officials and delegates who were briefed on the prevailing situation of the swarms.

According to the latest situation released by NLCC, the locust infestation which had spread to 61 districts across the country has been limited to only two districts, Tharparkar and Bahawalpur.

Imam lauded the efforts of all departments concerned for effective measures to control the spread of locust.

A representative of Food and Agriculture organisation also appreciated measures taken by the country against locust attack and expressed satisfaction over the initiatives.

So far the authorities have surveyed 486,756 square kilometres of land while control operation has been completed on 10,938 square kilometres of land which is the highest amongst countries in the region, according to NLCC.

In Punjab, the survey was carried out on 263,331 acres of land while the control operation was carried out on 250 acres of land during the past 24 hours. So far 370 million acres of land has been surveyed and control operations have been carried out on 1,134,590 acres of land across the province. The anti-locust operation was carried out with the support of 2,830 people, including personnel of Pakistan Army.

During the last 24 hours, 92,121 acres of land has been surveyed in Sindh while operation was carried out on 1,015 acres of land in Tharparkar district. The exercise was conducted by 1,177 people, including personnel of Pakistan Army. So far, 20 million acres of land has been surveyed and operation has been conducted on 154,527 acres of land across the province.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 135,364 acres of land has been surveyed during the last 24 hours. The survey was conducted by 847 people, including personnel of Pakistan Army. So far, the survey has been conducted on 20 million acres of land and operation has been carried out on 154,527 acres of land across the province.

During the last 24 hours, 154,495 acres of land has been surveyed in Balochistan. A total of 1,288 people, including personnel of Pakistan Army took part in the survey. So far, 973 million acres of land has been surveyed and operation has been carried out on 1,162,198 acres of land across the province.