Amid the corona crisis, the agriculture department suspects huge locust’s attacks in some parts of the country and especially in Bihar. The agriculture department of Bihar has issued a sound alarm over possible locust attack in the state which may enter through western border.
As per reports, the government body has ordered its officials to stay nights in the villages along the border, armed with pesticides. Officials said the locust swarms had reached Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, around 200 kilometres from Bihar’s western border, as on June 12, 2020.
“Locusts can travel up to 150-200 km a day. This means they are very close to us (Bihar). But we are ready to fight them off,” said deputy director of plant protection, agriculture department, Sunil Kumar while interacting with Down to Earth reporter.
10 districts of Bihar on High Alert for Locust Attack
As per reports, at least 10 districts of Bihar including Kaimur, Rohtas, Buxur, Bhojpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj and West Champaran area under the threat of locust attack, says official while all of them are close to Bihar’s western border.
Moreover, the official said, “We have made all arrangements and alerted everyone, including our officials, farmers and panchayat officials”. A single swarm has up to 50-60 million adult locusts in over a kilometre, say reports.
Agriculture department officials have been asked to rush to villages near the state’s western border and keep an eye on their movement.
