(Image source from: carbonbrief.org)
Desert locusts are pests that damage the crop in huge quantities. Locusts reached Indian states which is an alarm to stop the agriculture threat. This can affect the food supply and agricultural sector which is not easy to recover.
The locust swarm reached India very recently but it originated from Africa. Experts observed that the swarm from another round of breeding entered the countries Iran and Pakistan as well. In India, locusts attacked the states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Africa migrated swarm is over millions of locusts which is life threatening.
Know that Facts About Locusts Swarm
The locusts are the dangerous pests in the world which move in swarms. The horrifying fact about this creature is,the breeding ability is rapid.
The impact of this swarm is devastating. It can reduce the food security by which 20 million people would suffer. This effect is probably estimated by mid of 2020.
A swarm that travels square kilometers can damage the food that is sufficient for 35,000 people per day.
The life span of locusts is 90 days. Around 80 lakhs of locusts are moved in each swarm.
Locusts do not affect human life or animal life. As of now, there is no evidence or study on locusts' attack on human or animal life directly.
They breed with high ability and in three breeding seasons, they increase in number by 16,000 times.
Is this the first time locusts Swarm in India?
This is not the first time for India seeing locusts. There are the natives of Africa but they enter Indian following the monsoons every year. Previously, the swarm targeted Gujarat and Rajasthan and this continued before as well.
Before locusts history in India was in the month ofJuly first week. But this time due to the climatic changes and early monsoon in India, the locusts hit India earlier. All they look for is greenery and moisture.
The greenery which is grown due to early monsoon in India brought the locusts crossing the borders and attacking. When the weather is normal, locusts swarms come to India and breed for one season and then later they shift to Pakistan and Iran.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a standard operating procedure to fight against the locust threat. Under the procedure the agriculture management must focus on more sandy areas where green vegetation is growing. The effective pesticides must be used to control the breeding of locusts.
By Ramya C
