Anti-locust operation: NLCC cleared over 2 million acres of land

ISLAMABAD: The anti-locust operations have carried out in approximately 2.614 acres across 55 affected districts of the country completed on Saturday.

According to details released by the National Locust Control Center (NLCC), more than 1,032 joint teams took part in the anti-locusts operation in 55 districts of the country.

The joint teams of the Ministry of National Food Security, provincial agriculture departments and the Pakistan Army were conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against the locusts in different districts and so far 40,999 square kilometers (100.70) million acres had been surveyed.

In the Punjab province, about 247,785 acres had been surveyed during the last 24 hours and control operation was performed over affected areas.

More than 2,554 people and 349 vehicles took part in the exercise, it added. So far the survey was completed over an area of approximately 30.00 million acres and anti-locust operation conducted on 1,131,421 acres.

Meanwhile, in Sindh province, the survey was conducted over 98,675 acres and the locust presence was confirmed in five districts, while the anti-locust operation was conducted on 1,847 acres.

More than 102 vehicles and 627 people, including the Pakistan Army personnel, participated in the campaign. So far, the survey was completed on 20.07 million acres of land in Sindh, with locust control operation carried out on an area of 174,126 acres.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 156,213 acres of land were surveyed with the help of 847 people and 106 vehicles during the last 24 hours. So far an area of 10.57 million acres had been surveyed, with locust control operation on 154,527 acres.

In Balochistan, 267,312 hectares of land were surveyed, with infestation confirmed in 16 districts, including Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Washhak, Quetta, Dara Bugti, Ziarat, Othal, Karran, Panjgourr and Karran and others during the last 24 hours.

The locust control operation was carried over 1,328 acres with over 1,308 people and 119 vehicles. So far 30.40 million acres of land had been surveyed with anti-locust operation on 1,154,481 acres.

The NLCC said in addition to aerial spraying with the help of planes and helicopters, non-conventional methods were also being used for effective control of locust during control operations.