Chhattisgarh: Swarms of locusts that entered India from Pakistan have found their way to several states of the country. After affecting about 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres) of cotton, summer pulses and vegetable crops across six states in India, Locusts swarms are gearing up to enter Chhattisgarh and related states.
The Chhattisgarh agriculture department and farmers of districts adjoining Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been alerted after Locusts swarms attacked and destroyed major crops in the neighboring states.
“Locusts have reached Amravati (Maharashtra) and Mandla (Madhya Pradesh) from Rajasthan and may enter the bordering districts of Chhattisgarh in a day or two”, an official said.
The other states affected by the attacks are- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. In view of the threat, Agriculture authorities and farmers in the state’s Rajnandgaon district, which shares border with Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, have been asked to be extra cautious as huge swarms of locusts may reach there soon.
To prevent the adversely effect of locusts attack, Chhattisgarh authorities has constituted a competent team to monitor and safeguard the crops from locusts swarms and nearly 20 tractor-mounted sprayers have been arranged curb the situation in Rajnandgaon district.
Besides, villagers have been advised to form groups and make noise by beating thalis (steel plates), tin boxes andsound-producing instruments to drive away the insects, official said.
Meanwhile, The locusts are currently active in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan is currently the worst-affected state.