Guwahati: The existence of locust swarms is currently free from India. This was informed by the Locust Warning Organization.
The nation was declared to be locust-free during the routine survey carried out during the final two weeks of October by the Locust Warning Organization-Jodhpur, which is under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It was not recorded that these grasshoppers reproduced.
During the field studies, 175 locations—mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat—were examined.
“As a result of the withdrawal of monsoon in Scheduled Desert Areas, the soil moisture and vegetation now tend to be drying in the breeding zones. Moreover, no locust was seen during the survey,” the latest Desert Locust Situation Bulletin by the locust warning authority said.
The warning added that any locust activity is not anticipated until the next two weeks. Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently experiencing relative quiet in addition to India.
For the record, Pakistan proclaimed a national emergency in early 2020 because of the locust threat which was at its worst at the time.
At the same time, various Indian states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, some portions of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, had a widespread locust incursion. Early in April, swarms of locusts were initially observed in Rajasthan regions that bordered Pakistan.
A sizable percentage of cropland had been damaged and destroyed by locust swarms but they were mostly restricted to Rajasthan.
Given their voracious behaviour, reputation for devouring plants and widespread presence, locusts could represent a threat to the safety of our food supply.