KHAR: The authorities claimed to have rid the Bajaur tribal district of locusts following the joint efforts of the district administration and the agriculture department.

According to a statement issued from the deputy commissioner’s office, the administration was pleased to inform the residents that the district had been cleared of locusts.

The statement did not mention the impact of locusts on the crops and vegetables, especially the wheat crop, however, it said the successful efforts by the district administration and the agriculture department had helped eliminate locusts.

Talking to Dawn, district agriculture officer Ziaul Islam Dawar said swarms of locusts had arrived in the district from Afghanistan via Nawa Pass on May 8.

However, he said the instant response by the agriculture department with the support of the district administration and other government organisations had eliminated them.

He said the locusts might have affected wheat crop in several areas of the district, however, the impact of locusts attack on the wheat crop was less.

He said the agriculture department had formed several teams to handle the situation soon after locusts entered the district.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2020