Locust attack in Delhi: Government issues advisory, lists things to do

Locust attack in Delhi: In a bid to protect Delhi from the attack by a massive locust swarm, the Government of Delhi has issued advisory on 27th May 2020. In this preventive advisory issued by the Office of the Development Commissioner, Govt. of NCT of Delhi advised the use of certain chemicals and the doses required that can be used to protect crops and more from the attack.

The Delhi Government advisory said, "In order to prevent probable attack of swarm of locusts in the NCT of Delhi, which are reportedly present in the neighbouring states like UP, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, all concerned authorities are hereby advised to take following preventive measures to control and eradicate locusts to avoid devastating effect on standing agriculture and horticulture crops, vegetation, plants, gardens, Orchards, etc. in the NCT of Delhi."

See Zee Business Live TV streaming below:

The Delhi Government advisory went on to add that the measures to counter locusts attack in NCT of Delhi includes organising awareness programmes, not to allow locusts to rest at night and concerned authorities to carry out spray of insecticides and pesticides:

1] Melathion 50% EC — 1850 gm/ml/per hectare — 500 litre per hectare dilution in water;

2] Melathion 25% WP — 3700 gm/ml/per hectare — 500 litre per hectare dilution in water;

3] Chlorophyriphos 20% EC — 1200 gm/ml/per hectare — 500 litre per hectare dilution in water; and

4] Chlorophyriphos 50% EC — 500 gm/ml/per hectare — 500 litre per hectare dilution in water.

Also, Delhi's forest department is considering covering the saplings in its nurseries with polythene to protect them against the desert locust attack.

See Delhi Govt Advisory on locust below:

"It is not possible to cover the trees. We will at least cover the saplings in the nurseries. Covering plants with polythene can also be counter-productive during this heat. So, we will do this only when we know for sure that the swarm of locusts is headed towards Delhi. If we spray the vegetation, trees and plants with chemical in anticipation of a locust attack, we should also consider how dangerous it will be for the environment," Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ishwar Singh said. Singh said that in a city like Delhi, spraying of chemicals can be detrimental for environment. 
(With inputs from PTI)