Delhi prepares for locusts swarm attack

NEW DELHI: In a bid to contain the unprecedented malicious locust attacks that have plagued the nation, the authorities in Delhi have been instructed to spray insecticides and pesticides on crops and vegetation by the government. Gopal Rai, City Development Minister, Delhi Government, has also said that the government will also be running awareness campaign about the issue. AP Saini, Joint Director, state Agriculture Department, has asked the local authorities to organise the awareness programmes designated for the farmers for prevention. The government has issued an advisory for informing people about the insecticides and pesticides which can be sprayed on vegetation to guard against the locust. The advisory read that the swarm flies only during the day time, it should not be allowed to rest during night time.

Delhi forest department is mulling the covering of its saplings in nurseries with polythene to protect against the desert locust attack. The deadly swarm of the  locusts is capable of covering 150 kilometres in a day and the insects can eat more than their bodyweight. Experts are blaming climate change as locusts are directly related to soil moisture and food availability.