Helicopters, drones to control locusts

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 30

The government is deploying power drones, helicopters and aircraft to control locusts.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today flagged off a Bell helicopter with spray equipment. To be initially stationed at the Air Force Station, Uttarlai, the single pilot chopper will be deployed in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Nagaur.

It has a pesticide carrying capacity of 250 litres (for one trip) and can cover about 25 to 50 hectares in one flight, according to an official statement.

Meanwhile, an order has also been placed for five aerial spraying machines from a UK-based company, which will be placed in IAF helicopters.

Along with ground equipment like sprays and vehicles, deployment of helicopters in locust control operations follows the need to strengthen air control capabilities, the government said, adding that it was for the first time that the drones were being being used in such operations

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Locust Status Update of June 27, swarms accumulating in northern Somalia are likely to migrate across the Indian Ocean to the summer breeding areas along the Indo-Pakistan border.

Virtual meetings of technical officers of Southwest Asian countries (Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan) are taking place on a weekly basis, the government said. So far, 15 SWAC-TOC meeting have been held this year.