Anti-locust operation carried out on 11,103sq kms so far: NLCC

Pest controlling body says heavy locust onslaught restricted to two districts

ISLAMABAD:

The government has conducted survey on 503,000 square kilometers and carried out anti-locust operation on 11,103sq kms of land in the country until now.

According to a communique issued by the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC), the heavy locust onslaught had been restricted to two districts in the country – Tharparkar in Sindh and Lasbela in Balochstan – due to the timely measures taken by the government and action carried out by the Ministry of National Food Security in coordination with the army. 

Paying tribute to the front liners, the communique said that the nation hailed the “locust warriors” who in spite of severe weather and without availing any day off had worked day and night to ensure the agricultural safety in the country.

More than 6,034 workers and 790 vehicles have taken part in the survey and control operation until now.

The government has conducted survey on 503,149sq kms and carried out control operation on 11,103sq kms which is the highest among other countries in the region.

In Punjab, a survey of 201,097 acres of land had been carried out in the last 24 hours in which 2,730 people including the army personnel and 400 vehicles participated.

Until now, a survey has been carried out on 3.88 crore acres and control operation on 1,159,072 acres in the province.

In Sindh, a survey had been conducted in 78,085 acres of land in the last 24 hours, while operation on 2,718 acres in Tharparkar.

Aerial spray was also carried out on more than 1,000 acres in Islamkot, Tharparkar.

At least 1,177 individuals including the army staff and 176 vehicles took part in the survey and control operation.

The teams have so far surveyed 2.40 crore acres and carried out operation in 267,598 acres in Sindh.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 138,008 acres had been surveyed in the last 24 hours in which 847 people including the army staff and 106 vehicles participated.

The teams have until now conducted survey on 2.11 crore acres of land and carried out operation on 154,527 in the province.

In Balochistan, a survey had been conducted on 110,713 acres in the last 24 hours, while operation on 247 acres in Lasbela in which 1,288 workers including the army personnel and 112 vehicles participated.

A total of 4.02 crore acres of land has been surveyed in the province until now, while operation has been carried out on 11,62,376 acres.