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<ul><li>At least 10 Uttar Pradesh districts were on alert on May 26 after a large number of locusts were spotted in Mahoba and Jhansi districts. </li><li>The locusts are currently active in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. </li><li>So far, these <keyword id="8492128" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Locust-attacks">locust attacks</keyword> have had a low impact on crops as farmers have already harvested Rabi crops. </li><li>However, if these attacks are not prevented the present volume of the swarms will grow exponentially and people will have to deal with up to 80 million locusts per square kilometre. </li></ul>From Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh to Madhya Pradesh, swarms of locusts have attacked different urban and rural areas over the last few days. A locust is a large, mainly tropical grasshopper, with strong powers of flight and it migrates in vast swarms which cause extensive damage to vegetation. At least 10 districts in Uttar Pradesh were on alert on May 26 after a large number of locusts were spotted in Mahoba and Jhansi districts. Their visit came after already attacking crops in neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This swarm has come travelling through Iran, Pakistan, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. And now, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/locust-swarms-headed-to-delhi-up-braces-for-2nd-attack/articleshow/76018573.cms">these locusts are headed to the national capital, New Delhi </a>— and could have a severe impact on its 22% of green cover. Several countries have <a href="https://twitter.com/ParveenKaswan/status/1265125736735666176">witnessed an increase in locust swarms </a>in the last two years. The primary reason behind this is Mekunu and Luban cyclonic storms which occurred in May and October 2018 in Oman and Yemen. Here are some pictures showing the movement of highly destructively locusts in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh : Amid coronavirus outbreak, India is struggling with the worst <keyword id="5950671" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="locust-attack">locust attack</keyword> in the last three decades. <div type="image" title="Parveen Kaswan22" msid="76032597" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The movement of locusts. &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Around 50,000 hectares of croplands have been destroyed by the locusts and they are still out there — damaging whatever comes in their way. <div type="image" title="Parveen Kaswan" msid="76032650" hostid="261"></div> Desert Locusts are usually sited in western Rajasthan and Gujarat every year in small groups. <div type="image" title="Parveen Kaswan3. jpg" msid="76032677" hostid="261"></div> They don't attack animals or humans but can devastate crops and other areas of greenery. However, a small group of locusts is capable of eating food equivalent to 35,000 people. <div type="image" title="Locust BCCL" msid="76032689" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Locusts attack in Jaipur&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> They are known to eat leaves, flowers, bark, stems, fruit, seeds and crops including millet, rice, maize, sorghum, sugarcane, barley, cotton, fruit trees, date palm, vegetables, rangeland grasses, acacia, pines and banana. <div type="image" title="23C7247B-D424-43CB-8396-6A1E1E16900E" msid="76032701" hostid="261"></div> The locusts are currently active in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. <div type="image" title="Locust BCCL 2" msid="76032709" hostid="261"></div> Rajasthan is currently the worst-affected state, according to the Union Environment ministry. <div type="image" title="Locust BCCL 3" msid="76032719" hostid="261"></div> So far, these locust attacks have had a low impact on crops as farmers have already harvested Rabi crops. But the next cycle of Kharif crops could be at risk. <div type="image" title="Locust BCCL 4" msid="76032725" hostid="261"></div> If these attacks are not prevented the present volume of the swarms will grow exponentially and people will have to deal with <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/locust-swarms-headed-to-delhi-up-braces-for-2nd-attack/articleshow/76018573.cms">up to 80 million locusts per square kilometre. </a> <div type="image" title="cbdd50b3c452f9dbb550b8598077e164" msid="76032727" hostid="261"></div> At some places in UP, farmers <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/may/26/10-up-districts-on-alert-after-locust-swarms-attack-crops-in-rajasthan-mp-2148229.html">have been advised to beat thalis</a> to drive these insects away. People have used a similar technique in Jaipur, Rajasthan too. <div type="image" title="Locust BCCL 1" msid="76032742" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People beating thali in Jaipur, Rajasthan. &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> In Vamsi's district, authorities were arranging sound systems in the fields where crops are vulnerable. <div type="image" title="Jhansi 2" msid="76032753" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Locust attack in Jhansi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Farmers have also been advised to <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/locust-attack-dj-on-up-field-plays-loud-music-to-fight-locusts-up-cop-tweets-video-2235898">play loud music</a> to drive the insects away and save crops like moong and vegetables. <div type="image" title="11a62317181e0fd62ef6b91b15a50d3d" msid="76032764" hostid="261"></div> In Rajasthan, the government <a href="https://www.livemint.com/industry/agriculture/now-drones-and-planes-to-fight-locust-menace-in-rajasthan-11590406443059.html">is using drones and planes</a> to fight the locust attack. <div type="image" title="7478639c5f2f193812c9e120026dbc55" msid="76032774" hostid="261"></div> These attacks can also turn profitable for people who catch them, according to Dr Srinivas Siddharth. Interestingly, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/locust-swarms-headed-to-delhi-up-braces-for-2nd-attack/articleshow/76018573.cms">locusts are rich in protein</a>, which is a healthy food option for birds and fish. <div type="image" title="Rajasthan" msid="76032793" hostid="261"></div> (With inputs from agencies) SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/uttarakhand-forest-fire-pictures-videos-and-visuals-as-north-india-temperatures-rise/articleshow/76025287.cms">Devastating pictures from Uttarakhand forest fires over last four days⁠— forests burn as North India becomes the world’s warmest region</a>

Locust attacks may come to New Delhi — these 15 pictures show how they have already wreaked havoc in other parts of India

<ul><li>The spokesperson for the <keyword id="6374106" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-external-affairs">Ministry of External Affairs</keyword> (MEA), <keyword id="916281" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anurag-Srivastava">Anurag Srivastava</keyword> announced that India has already asked Pakistan to open channels of communication to address the growing desert locust problem in India — but they are yet to respond. </li><li>Hindustan Pesticides Limited is in the process of producing 20 thousand litres of malathion pesticide to address the problem that now plagues at least five Indian states.</li><li>Srivastava said that malathion has proven to be an effective deterrent against desert locusts in the past.</li></ul>Locusts swarms are causing devastation to India’s agriculture and there is silence on the Pakistan side of things. “We are yet to receive a response from Pakistan,” said the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Anurag Srivastava. During a press conference last night, he disclosed that India and Pakistan have a channel of communication — at the level of locust officials — to address the issue in annual meetings. Normally, these meetings happen in the month of June. “In view of the alarming locust problem this year, we have suggested that this mechanism be activated and coordinated control operations be undertaken,” he said. However, Pakistan has not engaged on the issue yet. Annual locust swarms normally stay centred around the state of Rajasthan. This time around the problem has escalated to other states as well — including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Officials now fear that India’s national capital, New Delhi, may also be under threat. Hindustan Pesticides Limited is producing 20 thousand litres of pesticide “We are in the process of supply 20 thousand litres of malathion pesticide to run for these desert locust operations,” said Srivastava. The pesticide is manufactured by Hindustan Pesticides Limited and has been found “very effective” in controlling desert locusts, according to him. In low levels, the use of malathion is not harmful to humans. However, high amounts of pesticide for extended periods of time in the air, water or even the food can cause difficulty breathing, chest tightness, vomiting, cramps and other undesirable effects, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (<a href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=520&amp;tid=92">ATSDR</a>). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pictures-of-locust-attacks-in-jaipur-rajasthan-madhya-pradesh-uttar-pradesh/articleshow/76032310.cms">Locust attacks may come to New Delhi — these 15 pictures show how they have already wreaked havoc in other parts of India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/locust-swarms-devour-fields-of-crops-in-a-single-day-that-would-feed-35000-people-and-covid-19-threatens-to-make-the-pest-problem-even-worse/articleshow/75831656.cms">Locust swarms devour fields of crops in a single day that would feed 35,000 people — and COVID-19 threatens to make the pest problem even worse</a>

Locust swarms are turning into a diplomatic issue between India and Pakistan

<ul><li>On June 27, swarms of locusts were seen in several parts of Gurugram and on the Gurugram-Dwarka expressway near the <keyword id="89772" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi-International-Airport">Indira Gandhi International Airport</keyword>, Delhi. </li><li><keyword id="9474774" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-delhi-air-traffic-control">The Delhi Air Traffic Control</keyword> (ATC) also directed pilots and airlines to take the necessary landing and take-off precautions. </li><li>The Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has now called for an emergency meeting to tackle the situation. </li><li>A square kilometer of locust swarm containing around 40 million locusts can eat as much food as 35,000 people would in a day. </li><li>This is a first for Gurugram, the city has never been through a locust attack before. </li></ul>On June 27, swarms of locusts were seen in several parts of Gurugram and on the Gurugram-Dwarka expressway near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. The Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) also directed pilots and airlines to take the necessary landing and take-off precautions. "Pilots of all airlines have been warned about <keyword id="8449878" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Locust">the locust</keyword> seen near the airport, we have set up a team to monitor in view of the locust," a senior ATC official told ANI. <div type="image" title="682ee1ca23c77c32cd63345d1dd7d03b" msid="76660920" hostid="261"></div> The Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has now called for an emergency meeting to tackle the situation. "After the emergency meeting, an advisory will be issued on steps to be taken to deal with the situation," Rai said. The officials from the agriculture department are now being asked to visit the areas near to Gurugram. The dark clouds of locusts covered several parts of the national capital region today - including Rajendra Park of sector 5, Surat Nagar, Dhanwapur, Palam Vihar, Maruti factory in sector 18, DLF phase 1 and other places in old and new Gurugram, IANS reported. <div type="image" title="a2b98ef6add9e94bf19b026a1b2c525d" msid="76660947" hostid="261"></div> This insect, which is more of a grasshopper, can eat more than its actual body weight. A square kilometer of locust swarm containing around 40 million locusts can eat as much food as 35,000 people would in a day. According to PTI, the district administration has issued guidelines for the residents, asking them to stay indoors. The residents in the affected areas are now speaking through the loudspeakers to keep the locusts away. "The swarms moved from west to east. They entered Gurugram around 11.30 am," K L Gurjar of the Locust Warning Organisation, Ministry of Agriculture, told IANS. However, the locust clouds are reportedly approaching South Delhi now. <div type="image" title="ea5704607cfea3599e6386fe0bb66265 (1)" msid="76660950" hostid="261"></div> This is a first for Gurugram, the city has never been through a locust attack before. The locust attacks first happened in May this year. The <keyword id="7710870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Desert-locust">desert locust</keyword> outbreak destroyed crops - spreading across Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The state administrations are now using special vehicles and fire engines to spray insecticides across the northern part of India. Previously, it has happened in remote areas of Gujarat. With inputs from PTI

Swarms of locusts blanket India’s national capital region — pilots and airlines alerted ahead

As <keyword id="6357713" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> is struggling to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the emergence of black fungus cases, the possibility of a locust attack also looms large. The Aligarh District Administration has now sounded an alert over a likely locust attack. Officials have issued the advisory after swarms of <keyword id="1660797" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="locusts">locusts</keyword> were spotted in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer city. The state's <keyword id="6423212" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture-department">Agriculture Department</keyword> has geared up and remains vigilant. <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">Farmers</keyword> have also been warned on the issue, <keyword id="29531" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Desert">Desert</keyword> locusts that move in large swarms, can consume crops up to their own weight every day. When millions of locusts descend on a crop, they destroy everything. The desert locust is considered the most destructive migratory pest in the world and a single swarm covering one square kilometre can contain up to 80 million locusts. Last year, almost 17 districts in Uttar Pradesh were put on alert after the locust swarms which travelled from Pakistan invaded India and made their way to at least five states, leaving a trail of destruction. According to <keyword id="534672" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="district-agriculture-officer">District Agriculture Officer</keyword> Vinod Kumar Singh, on the basis of the advisory issued by UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (<keyword id="18639" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="FAO">FAO</keyword>), Rajasthan has sounded an alert for a possible locust attack and directed authorities to plan, coordinate and execute a strategy to repulse it. Following this, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued directions to be fully prepared and ensure a timely response to tackle an infestation of the short-horned grasshoppers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-number-of-working-women-in-india-has-been-steadily-declining-heres-why/articleshow/82823052.cms">The number of working women in India has been steadily declining, here’s why</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/esper-an-android-based-development-platform-raises-30-million-as-pandemic-accelerates-adoption-of-intelligent-devices/articleshow/82822560.cms">Esper, an Android-based development platform, raises $30 million as pandemic accelerates adoption of intelligent devices</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/clubhouse-for-android-is-now-available-in-india-but-it-may-be-too-little-too-late/articleshow/82821238.cms">Clubhouse for Android is now available in India, but it may be too little too late</a>

Officials in UP warns farmers of possible locust attack

<ul><li>The skies over many parts of Gurugram turned dark on Saturday as swarms of <keyword id="1660797" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="locusts">locusts</keyword> descended on the town.</li><li>The migratory pests are likely to spare the national capital for now, officials said.</li><li>The pests, he said, were headed towards Palwal in Haryana. </li><li>In May, India battled a devastating <keyword id="7710870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Desert-locust">desert locust</keyword> outbreak. The crop-destroying swarms first attacked Rajasthan and then spread to Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. </li></ul>The skies over many parts of Gurugram turned dark on Saturday as swarms of locusts descended on the town, but the migratory pests are likely to spare the national capital for now, officials said. The dark cloud of locusts, spread across two kilometres, crossed the suburban city, touched the Delhi-Gurugram border but did not enter Delhi. "The swarms moved from west to east. They entered Gurugram around 11.30 am," K L Gurjar of the Locust Warning Organisation, Ministry of Agriculture, told . The pests, he said, were headed towards Palwal in Haryana. Alarmed at the invasion of the locusts, which settled on trees, rooftops and plants, many residents of Gurugram shared videos from their high-rise perches. Swarms of locusts were seen in condominiums such as <keyword id="585521" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beverly-Park">Beverly Park</keyword>, Garden Estate and Heritage City as well as buildings in Sikanderpur in the high-rise town bordering Delhi. In May, India battled a devastating desert locust outbreak. The crop-destroying swarms first attacked Rajasthan and then spread to Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Locust clouds over Gururgram, likely to spare Delhi

Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) provider Garuda Aerospace will soon start spraying anti-locust pesticide in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Noida near Delhi, said a top company official. "We have got the order to deploy five drones for anti-locust operations from <keyword id="9479061" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="banda-university-of-agriculture-technology">Banda University of Agriculture &amp; Technology</keyword>, Uttar Pradesh. We will be sending 10 pilots for operating the drones. The mandate is to deploy the drones for a total of 50 hours at the locations specified by the University," Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Managing Director of city-based Garuda Aerospace, told IANS. He said the company has already deployed its drones in Rajasthan in <keyword id="9446117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="locust-control-operations">locust control operations</keyword>. "This is the first time drones are being used in locust control measures in India. It is a new case scenario," Jayaprakash said. According to him, there are two methods of spraying the pesticide -- one by flying above the swarm of locust and spraying on them and the other is to spray the pesticide beforehand on the areas where the locusts are expected to land. He said the state government agencies predict the flight path of the locust and give us one/two days notices on the location where the drones are to be used. Sometimes the notice is very short. Jayaprakash said the locust hit percentage is about 70 per cent as per the state government officials. "Unlike bees that attack an adversary, locusts swarm does not attack drones. Perhaps they see it as a big bird, their enemy and avoid. Their main purpose is to eat, procreate and fly," Jayaprakash said. According to him, the Banda University order will be executed in three/four days as the total 50 hours of flying can be completed by the five drones in that time. "The five drones will be flown by air on Monday," he added. Garuda Aerospace has been carrying out drone based anti-coronavirus sanitation orders from several municipal corporations and smart cities like <keyword id="6357203" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varanasi">Varanasi</keyword>, Rourkela, Raipur, Chennai and Hyderabad. "While the government contracts for anti-coronavirus sanitation orders have been completed, the corporate sector has started using our services. And now the orders are for locust control operations," Jayaprakash added. According to him, the Covid-19 pandemic and locust attack has increased the focus on drones and their use. Apart from spraying anti-coronavirus disinfectants, drones were used by police in Tamil Nadu to monitor the lockdown violators. Jayaprakash said Garuda Aerospace has manufactured and serviced drones for several government departments in Tamil Nadu, like forests, electricity, police, mining, agriculture, Indian Coast Guard and others. "Already drones are being used for spraying pesticides, weedicides and liquid fertiliser on farms and is also used for monitoring of pipelines and surveillance and now for locust control operations," Leo Peter Charles, Managing Director, Jane Aerospace Private Ltd told IANS. Jane Aerospace is into consulting, marketing, sales and provision of skilled manpower support for drone operating companies. Agreeing with Jayaprakash, Charles said there will be more interest on drones from different agencies. "The challenge for the drone makers is importing critical components from China given the current border tussle," Charles said. Jayaprakash said there are other markets wherefrom the critical components can be imported and China is not the sole market place. The only advantage China offers is the price, but there is also the issue of quality. Meanwhile, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a nine member working group to suggest suitable insurance cover for drones as their numbers are on the rise. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-records-biggest-single-day-spike-of-19906-covid-19-cases-tally-reaches-528859/articleshow/76670166.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">A record single-day surge of 19,906 COVID-19 cases on Sunday on June 28 in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/locust-attacks-in-up-jhansi-chitrakoot-prayagraj-pratapgarh-bhadohi-azamgarh-and-ambedkar-nagar/articleshow/76669556.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Swarms of locusts reach Uttar Pradesh, several districts put on alert</a>

Garuda Aerospace to deploy drones in Uttar Pradesh to help control locust

Several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Bhadohi, Azamgarh and <keyword id="6388907" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ambedkar-nagar">Ambedkar Nagar</keyword>, have been facing locust attacks in the past 48 hours. In Uttar Pradesh, locust swarms have invaded several districts in the past 48 hours and attacked trees and crops. <keyword id="9477401" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-up-agriculture-department">The UP Agriculture Department</keyword> said that the authorities of the neighbouring districts like Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambhi, Mirzapur, Sultanpur, Mau and Ballia have been asked to remain alert. Deoria, the home district of state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, in eastern Uttar Pradesh has also faced locust attacks. "A swarm of locusts had come to Deoria, but they descended only on the Baisila Mainuddin village. Villagers made noise and chased them away. The swarm has gone towards Kushinagar. We are spraying chemicals to kill the pests and all districts have been put on alert," he said on Sunday. Shahi said insecticides are being sprayed through fire department vehicles. People have been told to make loud noise by beating 'thaalis' and other utensils, he said. Police sirens will also be blared and smoke would be used to chase the locusts away. The minister said that, "The UP government has given Rs five lakh to each of the bordering districts of the state for spraying chemicals to kill locusts. Apart from this, a monitoring committee has been formed in each district under the chief development officer to continuously monitor the situation." <keyword id="189844" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deoria-district">Deoria District</keyword> Magistrate Amit Kishor said a swarm spotted in the district has now moved to Kushinagar. With the onset of monsoon in the state, Jodhpur-based <keyword id="8720474" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Locust-Warning-Organisation">Locust Warning Organisation</keyword> (LWO) has intensified preparation to control the population of locusts that are hovering in the desert areas between India and neighbouring Pakistan which are now a breeding ground for the pests. According to experts, broadly four species of locusts are found in India -- desert locust, migratory locust, Bombay locust and tree locust. The desert locust is considered the most destructive since it multiplies rapidly and is capable of covering 150 <keyword id="1022949" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="kilometres">kilometres</keyword> in a day. This insect, a type of a grasshopper, can eat more than its body weight. A one square kilometre of locust swarm containing around 40 million locusts, can eat as much food as 35,000 people in a day. Experts blame the growing menace of desert locusts on climate change. They say breeding of locusts is directly related to soil moisture and food availability. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/swarms-of-locusts-blanket-indias-national-capital-region-pilots-and-airlines-alerted-ahead/articleshow/76660948.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Swarms of locusts blanket India’s national capital region — pilots and airlines alerted ahead</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/assam-flood-situation-worsens-4-63-lakh-people-affected-across-1289-villages/articleshow/76669400.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Assam flood situation worsens, 4.63 lakh people affected across 1,289 villages</a>

Swarms of locusts reach Uttar Pradesh, several districts put on alert

By Shakoor Rather New Delhi, Feb 6 () The recent locust outbreak along the India-Pakistan border may have been driven by the longer-than-usual monsoon rains across the region, and frequent cyclones in the Indian Ocean, scientists say. In India, the outbreak -- the biggest in 26 years -- began late last year in Gujarat and Rajasthan states, and recently Punjab was also affected. In Pakistan, the government declared national emergency last week to eliminate the attacking swarms of desert locusts, which were destroying crops on a large scale in the country's Punjab province. "The current locust outbreak is the biggest in 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, 26 years in India, 70 years in Kenya," Keith Cressman, locust forecasting officer at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) told . "The outbreak started after heavy amounts of rains over east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula," Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune added. According to the FAO, locusts are the oldest migratory pests in the world. These insects differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to change behaviour, and form swarms that can migrate over large distances. The most devastating of all locust species is the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), according to FAO. The locusts, which are considered to be among the most dangerous pests known to humanity, reproduce fast -- 20-fold within three months, the FAO experts noted. An adult locust can eat quantity equal to its weight daily, and just a single square kilometer of swarm can contain up to 80 million adults, they said. Koll noted the heavy rains which drove the locust outbreak occurred due to intense storm activity sourced from the Arabian Sea during the last two seasons. "Heavy rain triggers growth of vegetation in arid areas where desert locusts can then grow and breed," he said. Koll explained that recently climate change accentuated the phenomenon called the "Indian Ocean Dipole", with warmer than usual waters to its west, and cooler waters to its east. "On top of that, the rising temperatures due to global warming made the Western Indian Ocean particularly warm," he said. Cressman added that the current locust invasion in India by an unprecedented number of swarms originated in southern Iran from their breeding in spring last year. "Summer breeding along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border was much higher than normal due to the swarm invasion and the monsoon rains lasting one month longer than normal, allowing up to three generations of breeding," Cressman said. The outbreak originated from two cyclones (May and Oct 2018) that allowed three generations of breeding - from June 2018 to March 2019 -- in the Arabian Peninsula, and caused an 8,000-fold increase in locust numbers, he added. According to Cressman, this was followed by further breeding after unusually heavy rains in Iran and Yemen, and finally another cyclone in the Horn of Africa in early December 2019. "Generally enhanced convection (cloud formation and rains) and cyclone activity follows the warm waters as they derive the energy and moisture from the ocean," Koll explained. As a result, he said, regions surrounding the warm western Indian Ocean -- such as East Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Indian subcontinent received a lot of rains during the last two seasons. "Along with that, the cyclone activity over the west Indian Ocean was also exceptional -- we saw the largest number, and the strongest cyclones this year -- releasing more rains. This might have triggered the locust outbreak," he said. India has not witnessed any full-blown locust cycles after 1962, however, they experts said, large-scale upsurges were observed during 1978 and 1993. Globally, Cressman said, the current generation of swarms formed shortly after last season's crops were harvested, but there has been considerable damage to pastures -- a primary livelihood in the Horn of Africa. "It is not only warm temperatures that favour locusts but also rainfall. The latter is not expected to occur is sufficient quantities until the start of the summer monsoon in Rajasthan which is usually in July, therefore, breeding now is not very likely in India," he said. "Climate models do show that the number and intensity of Indian Ocean Dipole events -- like the one we saw in 2019 -- are going to increase further in the future," Koll added. SAR VIS AKJ SARSAR

Prolonged monsoon in Indo-Pak region drove recent locust outbreak: Scientists

<ul><li>Vector-borne diseases — including malaria, dengue and chikungunya — cost India nearly $3 billion to $4 billion every year.</li><li>The impact of such diseases could increase the burden on a recessionary economy if essential actions like individual protection measures are not taken into consideration.</li><li>The importance of essential measures like wearing clothes that minimise skin exposure, and using mosquito repellents is all the more important with authorities already being stretched thin.</li></ul>Vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya aren’t cheap for India. They carry a socio-economic burden of $3 billion to $4 billion every year for India, according to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO). <div type="twitter" handle="BiIndia" handlename="Business Insider India🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1232926719016718336/sfffJHNV_normal.jpg" favoritecount="42" retweetcount="10" status="#StopTheSpread | @thrive_india’s @docmranney speaks to @sunilkat, CEO India &amp; SAARC, @GodrejGroup, @PATHtweets'… https://t.co/8R3RWd6YsK" createdat="1591691390000" id="1270271874505699329"></div> “Post-COVID, what it does to a recessionary economy that’s slowing down, nobody can predict,” said Sunil Kataria, CEO of Godrej Consumers Products in India, during the ‘Stop the Spread’ panel with Business Insider India. <div type="image" title="Malaria3_edited" msid="76436839" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A man sleeps inside an auto-rickshaw covering with a mosquito net in Kurla&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> However, with the coronavirus pandemic taking hold in India, vector-borne diseases aren’t on top of people’s list of concerns. “Every fever is not necessarily coronavirus. People need to understand, that particularly now, the seasonality of vector-borne diseases, that there are other things to be wary of,” said Marcus Ranney of Thrive Global India. This is highlighted by a poll that First Moms Club conducted to find that 95% of mothers are only thinking about the coronavirus — not vector-borne diseases. “This is not a topic that’s come up, which used to come up till last year around this time,” said Ruchita Dar Shah, the Founder and CEO of First Moms Club. <div type="image" title="Malaria6_edited" msid="76436845" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mosquito repellent used in houses&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> With the authorities already stretched thin, not taking the necessary steps to prevent diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya could stress the economy even further. Essential actions like wearing clothes that minimise skin exposure — especially during the day — using <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Goodknight-Gold-Flash-Mosquito-Repellent/dp/B07YX8XV5S/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Good+Knight&amp;qid=1592285181&amp;sr=8-4">mosquito repellents</a>, household aerosol products, mosquito coils can reduce the risk. Vector-borne diseases were already increasing before coronavirus Dengue has affected more than two lakh people in 2019. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s estimates show that 25 states and union territories (UTs) across India have reported an increase in the number of dengue cases from 2018 to 2019. <div type="image" title="Malaria2_edited" msid="76436858" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Employees of BMCC perform an anti-malaria fumigation drive inside a slum in Kalina, Mumbai &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “Since late 2019 the cases of dengue started increasing,” said Kaushik Sarkar, the India technical lead for Malaria No More. Data provided by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) shows that the total number of combined dengue, malaria and chikungunya cases in 2019 came up to 487,730. “This year, malaria interventions have been pushed back, because of the lockdown and other measures that have prevented mass level interventions,” said Sarkar citing that there is every potential for a “large upsurge of cases” of malaria and dengue this year if <a href="https://www.amazon.in/HIT-Spray-Flying-Insect-Killer/dp/B00H0FIL6I/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=HiT&amp;qid=1592285262&amp;sr=8-1">essential precautions </a>aren’t taken at an individual level to prevent the spread of the disease. <div type="image" title="Malaria1_edited" msid="76436872" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Students of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru cleaning Bunder area &amp;#8212; identified as a high-risk area for malaria and other vector-borne diseases.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Climate change is allowing mosquitoes to thrive An additional point of concern this year is that climate change is altering the geographical and seasonal distribution of vector-borne diseases. Normally, between March 15 to April 15 the number of mosquitoes increases. And then, with the summers coming in, there is a sharp drop in mosquito infestation until the monsoon season kicks in. “Ever since the lockdown has happened, we haven’t seen a drop. It’s the first time that we have seen such a change. Between April and May, there’s been a steady pattern of mosquito infestation in the country,” said Kataria, highlighting how climate change is also responsible for the increase in cyclones across the country and locust attacks in the northern parts of India. <div type="image" title="Malaria5_edited" msid="76436877" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A potter making earthen lamps under an anti-mosquito coil to protect himself from the dengue mosquito at Mandiri Mohalla locality in Patna, Bihar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “Global climate is adding a new variable to the fight against vector-borne diseases,” Kataria explained. While India battles coronavirus, it’s important to remember that the fight against malaria, dengue and chikungunya is ongoing. Offices and large spaces have remained shut during the lockdown, where water may have collected providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes, as per Ranney. He cites prevention being the only cure during the current crisis. While there is no reason to be scared it’s essential to be aware, take the right actions and ensure <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Good-Knight-Naturals-Agarbatti-AntiMosquito/dp/B07NQJCN9V">prevention</a> at an individual level. Disclaimer: Business Insider has partnered with Godrej Consumer Products Limited to help you take the necessary steps to prevent VBD.

In all the noise around COVID-19 — the risks from malaria, dengue and chikungunya are ignored

Insisting that the COVID-19 crisis should be turned into an opportunity to create an '<keyword id="9210258" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="atmanirbhar-bharat">Atmanirbhar Bharat</keyword>', Prime Minister Narendra <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> on Thursday said this is the time to make bold decisions and investments. Addressing the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata through video conference, he said, steps have to be taken to ensure that products imported from abroad are manufactured in the country. "In the last five-six years, India's goal of self- reliance has been paramount in the policy and practice of the country. The COVID-19 crisis gave us lessons on how to speed up efforts in that direction...This is not the time for a conservative approach; this is time for bold decisions and investments. "This also is the time to move from command and control economy to plug-and-play and to build a competitive global supply chain." he said. While noting that people-centric, people-driven and planet-friendly development has become part of the BJP-led Central government's way of governance, the prime minister said recent decisions by the Centre had freed the farmers and rural economy from years of "slavery" as they now have the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country. "India is fighting multiple challenges along with COVID-19, including floods, locust attack, earthquakes...We have to turn crises into opportunity for creating an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat and take steps to ensure that products which we import from elsewhere are manufactured in India," Modi said. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, who had once written that Indians should produce for themselves and find markets in other countries, the prime minister said they had for long wished that the country to become self-reliant in areas like medical equipment manufacturing, defence manufacturing, coal and minerals, edible oils and many more. Lauding the resolve of the countrymen to turn disaster into opportunity, the prime minister said the pandemic "will be a turning point of the country". "We have to make it a big turning point.....a turning point for creating a self-reliant India," he said. The prime minister also said that the country has already ushered in several reforms like changing the definition of MSMEs, decriminalising certain things (under the Companies Act), introducing Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, bringing in more competition in coal mining, altering the APMC and the Essential Commodities Act. Modi said that time has come to revive Bengal's pre- eminence in manufacturing. "It is the government's initiative to help the east and the north-east where Kolkata can emerge as the fulcrum.... to lead the entire development process," he added. He also urged MSMEs to enter the solar energy sector. Modi said banking services have now reached the "have nots". Initiatives such as Jandhan and Aadhaar have made it possible to reach necessary support to millions of people without leakage.

PM Modi says COVID crisis is a time for bold decisions and investments

The Indian government has denied reports that it has asked state-owned banks to withdraw funds from foreign currency accounts abroad in anticipation of their potential seizure with regard to the Cairn legal dispute, terming such information as "false and baseless". <div type="ExtQuote" text="Condemning all such source-based reports as false, the Government of India said that these are totally incorrect reports which were not based on true facts. Certain vested parties appear to have orchestrated such misleading reporting, which often relies upon unnamed sources and presents a lopsided picture of factual and legal developments in the case." auname="An official statement from the government"></div> It said that the India is "vigorously" defending its case in this legal dispute, and has filed an application on March 22 to set aside the "highly flawed" December 2020 international arbitral award in The Hague Court of Appeal. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Text"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div> "The government has raised several arguments that warrant setting aside the award. This proceeding is pending," the government said, adding that it is committed to pursuing all legal avenues to defend its case in this dispute worldwide. It was also stated that the CEO and the representatives of Cairns have approached the government for discussions to resolve the matter. "Constructive discussions have been held and the Government remains open for an amicable solution to the dispute within the country's legal framework," the Finance Ministry statement said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/apples-2021-ipad-pro-users-will-now-be-able-to-download-ipados-updates-over-5g-connection/articleshow/82883050.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Apple's 2021 iPad Pro users will now be able to download iPadOS updates over 5G connection</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/here-are-a-few-interesting-updates-from-google-i/o-2021-to-make-your-life-easier/articleshow/82882620.cms">Here are a few interesting updates from Google I/O 2021 to make your life easier</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/officials-in-up-warns-farmers-for-possible-locust-attack/articleshow/82879335.cms">Officials in UP warns farmers of possible locust attack</a>

Indian government denies reports on PSBs withdrawing funds from abroad due to the Cairn dispute, and is strongly defending its stand in the dispute

Kolkata, Jun 11 () Insisting that the COVID-19 crisis should be turned into an opportunity to create an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said steps have to be taken to ensure that products imported from abroad are manufactured in the country. Addressing the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata over video conference, he said this is the time to make bold decisions and investments for the country to scale new heights. "India's goal of self-reliance has been paramount in the policy and practice of the country. The COVID-19 crisis gave us lessons on how to speed up efforts in that direction," he said. The Prime Minister also said that people-centric, people-driven and planet-friendly development has become part of the BJP-led Central government's governance. "India is fighting multiple challenges along with COVID-19, including floods, locust attack, earthquakes...We have to turn crisis into an opportunity for creating Atmanirbhar Bharat and take steps to ensure that products which we import from elsewhere are manufactured in India," Modi added. DC PNT RMS RDM RDM

Need to turn COVID crisis into opportunity to create Atmanirbhar Bharat: PM Modi

(Eds: Adds inputs) Kolkata, Jun 11 () Insisting that the COVID-19 crisis should be turned into an opportunity to create an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said this is the time to make bold decisions and investments. Addressing the 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata through video conference, he said, steps have to be taken to ensure that products imported from abroad are manufactured in the country and exported. "In the last five-six years, India's goal of self- reliance has been paramount in the policy and practice of the government. The COVID-19 crisis gave us lessons on how to speed up efforts in that direction. It is from this lesson - Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign has started. It is time for bold decisions and bold investments, and not for conservative approaches. This also is the time to move from command and control economy to plug-and-play and to build a competitive global supply chain," he said. The Prime Minister said everybody must work towards making India an exporter of all products which it is currently forced to import. Appreciating the efforts of small traders, he said, that when we buy local produce from them, we are not just paying them for their goods and services, but are rewarding their contributions. While noting that people-centric, people-driven and planet-friendly development has become part of the BJP-led central government's way of governance, the prime minister said recent decisions by the Centre had freed the farmers and rural economy from years of "slavery" as they now have the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country. "India is fighting multiple challenges along with COVID-19, including floods, locust attack, earthquakes...We have to turn crises into opportunity for creating an Atmanirbhar and take steps to ensure that products which we import from elsewhere are manufactured in India," Modi said. Now is the time to make each village, each district of the country self-reliant, he said. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, who had once written that Indians should produce for themselves and find markets in other countries, the prime minister said they had for long wished the country to become self-reliant in areas like medical equipment manufacturing, defence manufacturing, coal and minerals, edible oil and many more. Lauding the resolve of the countrymen to turn disaster into opportunity, the prime minister said the pandemic "will be a turning point for the country". "We have to make it a big turning point.....a turning point for creating a self-reliant India," he asserted. The prime minister also said that the country has already ushered in several reforms like changing the definition of MSMEs, decriminalising certain things (under the Companies Act), introducing Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, bringing in more competition in coal mining, altering the APMC and the Essential Commodities Act. Citing the campaign to free the country from single use plastic, Modi said it will benefit West Bengal by giving a fresh impetus to the jute industry. He said time has come to revive Bengal's historical pre-eminence in manufacturing. Modi said banking services have now reached the "have nots". Initiatives such as Jandhan accounts and Aadhaar have made it possible to reach necessary support to millions of people without leakage. Referring to the efforts to develop the North-East as a hub of organic farming, Modi said the government's current cluster-based approach to local produce will provide opportunity for all. Along with this, clusters will also be created for bamboo and organic products. Like Sikkim, the entire North- East can become a huge hub of organic farming. Organic farming can become a huge movement in the North-East and dominate the global market, he said. Underlining that people, planet and profit are interlinked, Modi said all three can simultaneously co-exist and flourish. He cited the example of the reduction in price of LED bulbs over the last six years. Its extensive use has resulted in savings of about Rs 19,000 crore in electricity bills every year. The prime minister urged the industry to invest in research and development, and manufacture better batteries to increase the storage capacity of solar panels for enhanced energy efficiency. He also highlighted how small self-help groups and MSMEs can benefit from providing their goods and services directly to the Government of India on the GeM platform. DC PNT SK SK

You Searched For "Locust attack India" and got 13 results

Locust attacks may come to New Delhi — these 15 pictures show how they have already wreaked havoc in other parts of India

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Prolonged monsoon in Indo-Pak region drove recent locust outbreak: Scientists

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