Rajasthan has been reeling under the most widespread locust attack for the last three decades. Swarms of locusts coming into India from Pakistan have travelled hundreds of kilometres to spread across most parts of Rajasthan. The locusts have also reached the districts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Efforts at containing the swarms are proving insufficient and difficult as the swarms have travelled with the winds to reach districts, traditionally not attacked by locust swarms.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced a state-wide alert after an army of locusts invaded farms in several districts. Locust is a pest which destroys crops and vegetation.
Authorities fear that the pests have affected crops in 17 districts of the western UP including Agra, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Etah, Kanpur and Mathura. The district administrations have sounded the bugle and directed fire brigade to keep vehicles ready with chemicals to tackle the swarm of locusts. Besides, a team has come from Kota, Rajasthan, to deal with the locust meance. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already been affected by the pests.
“The swarm of locusts, which is moving in the state is small in size. We have got the news that nearly 2.5 to a 3-kilometre long swarm of locusts has entered the country,” said Deputy Director Agriculture Kamal Katiyar. The crop-eating pests had first entered Rajasthan from Pakistan in the second week of April. It destroyed crops in 18 districts of Rajasthan and a dozen in Madhya Pradesh. Last year, it had ravaged farms in North Gujarat.