Social media has been abuzz this week with visuals of locust swarms descending upon residential areas in Jaipur. These posts, often shared with doomsday speculations, instill merely a moment’s concern. Sure, the millions of insects flying across the sky is not a pleasant sight, but they don’t bite humans, so why worry. But worry you should.
A large part of northern India is facing severe locust attacks or a swarm invasion if we may say so. And, the timing couldn’t be worse. It comes at a time when the country already has a humongous task at hand as posed by the corona virus crisis. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab are among the states badly hit by these locust swarms that came attacking, often sparking doomsday speculations. Vidharba in Maharashtra, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, and New Delhi also haven’t remained untouched by these locust swarms. Experts have claimed it to be the worst attack in nearly 26 years. Even though they don’t bite humans, it still may keep you on tenterhooks.
WHAT IS A LOCUST SWARM
Locusts are insects that travel in large swarms. They devastate crops, thereby causing major agricultural damage, also leading to the possibility of famine and starvation. Locusts can travel up to 150 kilometers in a day depending on the wind speed. These insects fly during the day and are known for feasting on all sorts of plants and standing crops. They destroy flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, bark, and growing points. It is said that a small swarm of the desert locust eats as much food in one day as about 10 elephants, 25 camels, or 2,500 people.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED
India has been a victim of locust plagues and upsurges from 1812 to 1997. However, there have been no locust upsurges since December 2011. As per the data available with the Union Agriculture Ministry, locusts damaged crops worth Rs 10 crore during the 1926-31 plague cycle. The damage, during the 1940-46 and 1949-55 locust plague cycles, was estimated at Rs 2 crore per cycle while also causing destruction worth Rs 50 lakh between 1959-62. As per government records, 190 locust swarms had attacked an area of about 3,10,000 hectares in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, and Jalore districts of Rajasthan in 1993. Even as these locust attacks were earlier largely restricted to Rajasthan, this time around favorable weather conditions have enabled their travel to other states as well. The history serves quite as a lesson.
Since these insects attack crops, it is definitely going to affect us. If these locust attacks persist, there is a possibility that these insects will rob the agricultural sector of lakhs of tonnes of food grains and vegetables. Then, it also may become very likely that the on-the-edge economy will plunge further. The United Nations has said that there is a severe risk to the Indian agriculture sector this year because of such attacks. According to the United Nations’ food and agriculture organization (FAO), the locust infestation is likely to get severe by next month. The desert locust invasion is expected to move from East Africa to India and Pakistan next month.
As per ANI” Madhya Pradesh: Farmers in Budhni and Nasrullaganj of Sehore district beat utensils in a bid to scare away swarms of locusts that attacked their farms. Disinfectants are also being sprinkled on trees and crops to protect them from locusts.”
“This time desert locust attack is severe. They have arrived earlier, in huge numbers & now reached till Panna in MP. The changing climate conditions are linked with locust growth in east Africa. The swarms has potential of eating everything & destroy the crops. This from Panna.”say’s Parveen Kaswan, IFS
Locust attack in Rajasthan. Jaipur today. They have ability to eat crops like anything. Via @DrRakeshGoswami
Meanwhile, the most-affected state Rajasthan is planning to use drones and planes to fight locust swarms. It is also believed that the locusts have changed their strategy this season as they are flying at greater height against their basic nature to fly in the low lying areas. Union Minister for Agriculture Kailash Chowdhary has requested the DGCA to help the government with planes so that pesticides can be sprayed from a greater height. The Rajasthan government is also considering tenders in order to get in drones to counter the menace.
