Pakistan is on carrying locust control operations to safeguard food sources.
According to National Locust Control Center (NLCC) the joint teams of the Ministry of Food Security, Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Pakistan Army are conducting a brief and comprehensive survey and control operations against desert locusts in different districts of Pakistan.
The number of military teams taking part in this operation is over 1,142. So far, about 24 million hectares of land have been surveyed whereas control operations have also been carried out in a 538934 hectares (approximately) area.
In the land of the five rivers, Punjab province, 96547 hectare area was surveyed and and locust infestation was confirmed in 2 districts (Mianwali and DG Khan) and anti-locust operation was carried out in 63 hectare area. Over 2191 people and more than 217 vehicles took part in the operation.
Over 8032931 hectare area has been surveyed and 173998 hectare area has been operated in districts across the province. Similarly, In the last 24 hours, 101302 hectares area have been surveyed in Sindh province and the presence of locusts in 8 districts (Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Khairpur, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, and Shikarpur) have been indicated.
This operation comprised of 35 teams of 387 people which also included Pakistan Army and more than 64 vehicles. So far 3126604 hectares area has been surveyed and 38672 hectares area has been operated across the province.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, over 70675 hectares area was surveyed in the last 24 hours and desert locust existence was confirmed in 10 districts (DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Karam, Orakzai and Khyber).
An anti-locust operation was even performed in which more than 80 teams of more than 912 people (including Pakistan Army) and more than 115 vehicles took part with dedication and devotion.
So far 3335304 hectare area has been surveyed and 411143 hectares area has been operated in the province. In the last 24 hours, 159805 hectare area was surveyed in Balochistan and 33 districts (, Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Gwadar, Lasbela, Ketch, Panjgur, Kharan, Washik,Khuzdar, Quetta, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Daki, Harnai, Location of locust hearts in Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Bolan, Kalat, Sibi, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kohlu, Loralai, Mastung, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Pishin, Sarab, Sohbatpur, Zhob and Ziarat) In which an anti-locust operation was performed.
People exceeding 1205 and more than 105 vehicles took part in the operation. So far 9055719 hectare area has been surveyed and 285121 hectare 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.