The Government has intensified Locust control operations in seven states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. 12 drones and 60 ground control teams of Locust Circle Offices are used in control operations. The State Governments through their Agriculture Departments undertake locust control in the cropped area. In this season 127225 hectares have been controlled till the 26th of this month.
One swarm of 2 km x 4 km size was controlled in Rewari by deploying 40 tractors and 4 fire brigade vehicles in the control operation between midnight to early morning. This swarm got split into 3 to 4 smaller swarms and moved to the wind direction to Nuh and Gurugram.
Two teams deployed are following these swarms. Five more teams have been moved from Nagpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan to join in operation in U.P where the remaining swarm had moved. State Agricultural Departments of Haryana and U.P. have been kept in a loop continuously and they are making necessary arrangements for control wherever the swarm will settle.
Ten ground spray equipments were imported from the UK to strengthen the locust control capabilities in the country. Additional 45 ground spray equipments will reach next month. Presently 60 control teams and 200 Central Government personnel are engaged in locust control operations. For tall trees and inaccessible areas, 5 companies with 12 drones are deployed for effective spraying of pesticides for locust control.