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| Agriculture department gears up to combat grasshopper threat | | |
Srinagar, August 11 – Agriculture Production Department has decided to launch intensified campaign to control grasshopper menace that has erupted from last year and caused severe damage to the crops in Zanskar belt of Kargil district. Though, the damage during last year was not of any bigger magnitude yet it has been alarming this year due to the propagation of grasshoppers to trillions.
In compliance to the Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad’s direction who has shown deep concern over the situation, the Agriculture Production Department has geared up to combat the threat.
A new deadly breed of grasshoppers had appeared in Zanskar last year and damaged standing crops to some extend. This year the number of these grasshoppers has not only increased in trillions but damage caused to the standing crops is unprecedented. It is apprehended that these grasshoppers came from China last year and these could not be wiped out inspite of use of various insecticides and visits of agriculture experts.
Mr Azad, who was briefed about this problem at a meeting at Kargil has expressed his deep concern over the matter and directed for urgent measures to check the spread of this dangerous insect. He said the speed in which their number is increasing and heavoc is being caused to the standing crops is a point of alarm in agriculture sector and all neighbouring states should be informed about these deadly grasshoppers who have potential not only to damage crops, fruit and other standing trees but also forests and vegetation.
Chief Minister said that Punjab and Haryana are our rice bowls while as Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are fruit baskets. Therefore, he asked the Chief Secretary to immediately convene a meeting of all experts to make all concerned aware about this deadly menace. He said that these types of problems are not required to be kept in hiding but all necessary measures should be taken to eliminate these deadly hoppers at this juncture before they become big alarming points for entire belt.
Mr Azad said that he will also personally inform the central government about this problem and seek their assistance for controlling the menace. |
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