Staff Reporter
Islamabad
According to details released by the National Locust Control Center (NLCC) on Monday, joint teams of the Ministry of National Food Security, Department of Agriculture and the Pakistan Army are conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against locusts in different districts of the country.
More than 1,100 joint military teams are taking part in the operation. So far 238399 square kilometers (approximately 24 million hectares) have been surveyed, while 4967 square kilometers (approximately 496700 hectares) have been controlled. In the last 24 hours, an area of 108647 hectares was surveyed in Punjab province and after the presence of locusts was confirmed in 2 districts (Mianwali and DG Khan), anti-locust operations were carried out in 116 hectares area. More than 2,100 people and more than 200 vehicles took part in the operation.
So far 7936384 hectare area has been surveyed in 36 districts of the province and 173936 hectare area has been operated.In the last 24 hours, an area of 73,462 hectares has been surveyed in Sindh province and locust infestation has been confirmed in 7 districts (Nowshero Feroze, Jamshoro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Khairpur and Shikarpur).
The operation was performed. The operation involved 35 teams of 387 people (including Pakistan Army) and more than 60 vehicles. So far 3126604 hectare area has been surveyed and 38672 hectare area has been operated across the province. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an area of 74,125 hectares was surveyed in the last 24 hours and the presence of locusts in nine districts (DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Karam, Orakzai and Khyber) was confirmed. An anti-locust operation was carried out in 974 hectare area.
The operation involved 80 teams of more than 900 people (including Pakistan Army) and more than 100 vehicles. So far 3264629 hectare area has been surveyed and 40337 hectare area has been operated across the province.In the last 24 hours, 115249 hectare area was surveyed in Balochistan province and 33 districts (Khuzdar, Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Gwadar, Lasbela, Ketch, Panjgur, Kharan, Washik, Quetta, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Daki, Harnai, Jaffarabad) were surveyed. Location of locusts in Jhal Magsi, Bolan, Kalat, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kohlu, Loralai, Mastung, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Pishin, Sibi, Sarab, Sohbatpur, Zhob and Ziarat) An anti-locust operation was performed in the area.
More than 1,200 people and more than 100 vehicles took part in the operation. So far 8895914 hectare area has been surveyed and 281372 hectare area has been operated in the province. Aerial spraying is also being done with the help of airplanes and helicopters for effective control of locust during the control operation. In addition, non-conventional methods are also being used. Farmers can contact National Locust Control Center numbers for locust presence and for more information and guidance. PTCL 051-9274980-2, UAN 051-111222999 Mobile 0320-58001204.
