Locusts spotted in Fazilka villages

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, January 24

Locusts have been spotted in dozens of Fazilka villages, leaving farmers worried. But the Agriculture Department has said there’s nothing to be worried about.

Jagdev Brar, a resident of Chack Mohamdewala village, who has sown wheat in about 80 acres of his land, told The Tribune he had spotted big-sized locusts in his fields.

Besides Chack Mohamdewala, locusts have been seen hovering around the crops in Shajrana, Chaurianwali, Banwala, Behak Khas, Chack Pakhi Aliana, Kawanwali, Ramkot, Chack Bhawra, Chack Mochanwala and other border villages.

Several farmers have been beating iron containers to keep the insects at bay.

Amandeep Singh, a member of the Behak Khas panchayat, claimed locusts had attacked some fields.

Chief Agriculture Officer Manjit Singh said a locust attack was reported in Lalgarh area of neighbouring Sriganganagar district in Rajasthan on Thursday night and some insects might have flown over to Fazilka district. He ruled out any loss to the standing wheat crop.

He appealed to farmers not to be worried about stray locusts as they were not destructive.

Captions

Farmers beat iron container in agriculture fields in Behak Khas village of Fazilka district. Tribune photo

Farmers show locust insect in Behak Khas village of Fazilka district. Tribune photo