Joint teams formed to combat locust

NLCC says anti-locust survey and control operations are in progress even on Independence Day

ISLAMABAD:

Joint teams formed to combat locust attacks across the affected areas in the country continued their fight against the pest on August 14 with a resolve to ensure national food safety and security.

The joint teams of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, provincial agriculture departments and the Pakistan Army were conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against the locusts in affected districts and succeeded to minimize its threat.

According to details released by National Locusts Control Center (NLCC) on Friday, anti-locust survey and control operations were in progress even on Independence Day, which showed commitment of all departments concerned to complete eradication of swarms from the country.

“Due to hard work and coordinated efforts of all these departments, the presence of locust has minimized as the swarms are now recorded only in two districts,” said NLCC.

During the last 24 hours 245,880 hectares area have been surveyed and control operation carried out on 100 hectares of Lasbela district of Balochistan and 620 hectares of Tharparkar district of Sind. Moreover, aerial control operation with the help of Beaver Aircraft has been carried out over 400 hectares in Islamkot of district Tharparkar.

In the last six months, control operation has been carried out on 1,108,990 hectares of land.