Change in wind direction and speed behind locusts’ entry- Ministry

27 June Kathmandu : Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has guessed that swarm of insect, popularly known as Salaha, has entered Nepal due to changes in the direction and speed of wind.

At a time when there was a speculation that the entrance of the locusts was less likely with Nepal’s monsoon already in place, a small swarm of insect as locust might have entered the country in dispersion due to abrupt change in direction and velocity of the wind, the ministry said.

In this connection, the ministry has been consistently monitoring the possible entry of the menacing insect in coordination with the department of hydrology and meteorology, stated a press release issued by the ministry today.

The insect was conspicuously present in few locations of various districts including Bara, Parsa, Sindhuli, Sarlahi and Rupandehi this morning. The locust infestation was visible in different parts of India since long. It may be noted that the ministry of agriculture development had formed a technical committee on 26 May to carry out necessary study and subsequent preparation in view of possible entrance of the insects that pose high threat to the food crops.

The taskforce has prepared the study report with necessary action plan to this effect. As per the information, the ministry is doing adequate dialogue and coordination with all the stakeholders at state and local levels based on the report findings.

In the meantime, the ministry had prepared and published technical information regarding the insect after consulting with the experts of the Food and Agriculture Organization as well as disseminated it through various media.

The ministry has urged the concerned authorities of the three tiers of the government to remain active for the management of the locust in coordination with the ministry.