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NEW DELHI: the Crops and vegetation in various states of India have been threatened by massive swarms of the desert locust is known for being the most dangerous of the migratory pests in the world. It is known that devours everything in its path, which poses an unprecedented threat to the food supply and livelihoods of millions of people.
Here are the details of the locust attack to wreak havoc in India and other parts of Asia and Africa —
Here are the details of the locust attack to wreak havoc in India and other parts of Asia and Africa —
- Desert Locusts are considered the most devastating migratory pests in the world. It is particularly characterized by its ability to rapidly reproduce. Usually it moves in swarms, each of which can consist of a staggering 150 million locusts per square kilometer.
- The desert locusts, and feed on any type of vegetation, including crops, pastures and forages. A lobster population spread over an area of one square kilometre in a day, raze the crops destined for more than 35,000 people, according to the UN Food and agricultural Organisation.
- Abnormally heavy rains last year, which scientists say were most likely due to the long-term warming of the Indian Ocean, a hallmark of climate change, have exacerbated a locust infestation across eastern Africa. The high temperatures make it more attractive to the locusts that spread to places where the climate was not as suitable before — and, in turn, destroy huge tracts of farmland and pastures to some of the poorest people on the planet, reported The New York Times.
- In February, the outbreak has devastated crops and pastures in the region of the Horn of Africa; damage to tens of thousands of hectares of croplands and grasslands in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. This is the worst outbreak in more than 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, and in the worst seen in more than 70 years in Kenya, the FAO reported.
- Last year, Pakistan suffered its worst attack of locusts since 1993, for which the country lacked the necessary preparation. The locusts came to Pakistan from Iran in June 2019, devouring the cotton, wheat, and maize, among other crops. The invasion was initially expected to decrease by mid-November. But it has been maintained due to favourable climatic conditions for the continuation of locust breeding, linked to global warming.
- This month, the locusts moved across the Indian Ocean to attack the crops and vegetation in the South of Pakistan, Iran and various states of India, such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
- The locusts made their ways into India through Pakistan. Last week, the swarms of Pakistan entered in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
- India has proposed to Pakistan and Iran for a coordinated approach in dealing with the alarming threat of rapid increase of the desert locust in the region.
- In the state of Rajasthan, the detection of the magnitude of the problem, the Locust Warning Organization has ordered drones to spray chemicals in order to kill the lobster. Up to now, the spraying was being done of the fire brigade, buses, tractors and gypsies.
- Last week, the World Bank approved a record $500 million in grants and low-interest loans to help countries in Africa and the Middle East to fight against the swarms of desert locusts that are eating their way through vast stretches of crops and pastures.
- Four of the most affected countries – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda – will receive $160 million dollars immediately.
- The World Bank estimates that the Horn of Africa region could suffer up to $8.5 billion in damages to agricultural and livestock production by the end of year without general measures to reduce locust populations and prevent its spread. Despite the measures, the losses can be as high as $2.5 million dollars.
- In Kenya, the locusts eat in a day, the amount of food consumed by the entire population in two days, Kray said.
Video:Nagpur: plague of Locusts in Katol Narkhed puts crops at risk of imminent
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