ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government is on high alert to deal with any emergency in the wake of locusts swarm in South Punjab following reports of locust attack in some parts of Balochistan and Sindh provinces.

Provincial government’s agriculture department spokesman on Monday said that in view of the threat, all possible precautionary as well as remedial measures were being taken to save crops from possible attack.

The department has deputed special teams for continuous monitoring of locusts swarm in South Punjab and is in close contact with relevant provincial as well as federal agencies.

Punjab government has contacted and is currently coordinating with concerned federal government institutions, particularly the Ministry of National Food, Security and Research and the Plant Protection Department.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan administrations were in close contact, while situation of locust attacks in Sindh and Balochistan are being closely monitored, spokesman added.

Punjab government has also purchased pesticides to combat locusts swarm attack. The spokesman added that the aircraft of the Federal Plant Protection Department will also be available to Punjab Government.

The provincial government has already arranged pesticides and if required, the remote areas of Cholistan – especially bushes – will be sprayed with pesticides with the help of camels.

According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), although control operations have treated nearly 200,000 hectares so far in June, all countries should remain vigilant and be prepared for any swarms that might arrive in Sudan and along the Indo-Pakistan border where higher than normal breeding is expected in summer.

In Pakistan, ground control operations continue in spring breeding areas of Balochistan against hopper groups in the interior of Dalbandin and near the coast in Turbat, Gwadar and Lasbela.

Similar operations are in progress against hopper and adult groups in a few summer areas of Nara and Cholistan deserts. Teams have treated around 4,625 hectares during mid-June. Adult groups will move from Balochistan to the summer breeding areas along the Indo-Pakistan border where more hatching and the formation of hopper groups will occur, FAO says.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2019