LOCUST SITUATION
The country remains
free from any gregarious locust activity. However, a small number
of immigrant and infiltrated adults of desert locust along the
Indo-Pak border areas was reported from 5 localities of Jaisalmer
and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. These ranged from 150 to 450
adults per sq. km. According to the Locust Situation Bulletin,
issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine &
Storage of the Agriculture Ministry for the second fortnight of
last month, the maximum density was recorded at the ONGC point
and Binjraj ka tala on 16th October 2003. Besides,
migratory locust adults at densities ranging from 225 to 600 were
reported from Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. The
maximum density of 600 adults per sq. km. was reported from Jaisinghdhar
area of Barmer district of Rajasthan on 16th October,
2003.
Ecological conditions
are not favourable for locust breeding. The number of locusts
will decline in the coming months due to unfavourable ecological
conditions and wind pattern in the Scheduled Desert Area. Continuous
vigilance is being maintained to detect any locust build up.
