PAU VC writes to Pak counterpart on locusts

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 2

The Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University has written to his Pakistan counterpart on the locust menace in that country and remedial measures undertaken. Surveys conducted by the Locust Control Organisation of India reveal that the incursion of swarms across the border is continuing.

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon,VC, in a letter to Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf, VC, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, has sought advice on predisposing environmental and climatic factors identified by PAU and the Agriculture Department.

“I have asked the VC of Faisalabad University about the steps taken to control the menace,” Dr Dhillon said.

Reports on infestation of desert locust have been coming from Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jalore, Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi and Sriganganagar in Rajasthan and Banaskantha and Bhuj-Kutch of Gujarat. Similar incidences have been observed in Punjab areas bordering Rajasthan.