Anti-locust operation completed over 2 million acres: NLCC

ISLAMABAD: The anti-locust operations have carried out in approximately two million acres across 40 affected districts of the country completed on Tuesday.

According to details released by the National Locust Control Center (NLCC), more than 939 joint teams took part in the anti-locusts operation in 40 districts of the country.

The joint teams of the Ministry of National Food Security, provincial departments of agriculture and Pakistan Army conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against locusts in different districts of the country and so far 70.11 million acres have been surveyed.

In Punjab Province, about 226,538 acres had surveyed during the last 24 hours and more than 2,220 people and 320 vehicles took part in this exercise. So far, under anti-locust drive, the survey was completed over an area of 20.22 million acres and the operation completed over 837,440 acres.

Meanwhile, in Sindh Province survey was conducted over 198,400 acres, whereas the locust presence was confirmed in three districts and anti-locust operation was carried out on 1,178 acres. More than 25 vehicles and 385 peoples participated in this campaign.

In Sindh, the survey was completed on 10.83 million acres, whereas the control operation was carried out over an area of 97,285 acres.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 185,823 acres surveyed during the last 24 hours and locust infestation was confirmed in 08 districts including DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Karam, Orakzai and Khyber, whereas anti-locust operation carried out over an area of 133,437 acres.

The operation was carried out with the help of 925 people and 119 vehicles. So far 10.08 million acres area has been surveyed and 133,437 acres area has been operated in the province.

In Balochistan, during last 24 hours 315,800 hectare has been surveyed and the infestation was confirmed in 11 districts like Khuzdar, Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Gwadar, Othal, Karran, Panjgourr and Quetta and others.

More than 1,318 people and more than 120 vehicles took part in the operation. So far 20.63 million acres area has been surveyed and 951,217 acres area has been operated in the province.

“In addition to aerial spraying with the help of airplanes and helicopters, non-conventional methods are also being used for effective control of locust during control operations,” the NLCC statement read.