Federal Govt to spend Rs 14 bln & provincial Govts will contribute Rs 12 bln to counter locust: Fakhar Imam
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ISLAMABAD-National Locust Control Center along with National Disaster Management Authority and district administrations were making effort to control the locust. About 8,000 army troops were deployed for the anti-locust operation.
China extended financial help of USD4.9 million to Pakistan by giving it 53,000 liters of spray, sprayers and drones, he disclosed. He was of the view that 20 aircrafts will be used for anti-locusts operation.
FAO will hand over 20 micronair sprayers in next week. He also mentioned that ADB and World Bank will finance anti locusts operation in form of USD 200 and USD 150 respectively. He also admired Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their coordination.
He praised ISPR for locusts awareness campaign. A presentation was also given by Ministry NFS&R regarding National Action Plan(NAP) for anti-locusts. Target has been set for treating crop area in first stage. Punjab will treat 5 million Hectare(mn HA),Sindh will treat 1.5 mn HA, Balochistan will treat 0.5 mn HA. Similarly KPK will treat 0.5 mn HA.
As per NAP, there will be a surveillance/control team that will be headed by an etymologists. The team will also include locust assistant, representative of local community and manpower from Pakistan Army.
Meanwhile, talking to media at National Locust Control Center in Rawalpindi today [Saturday], Minister National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam has said that integrated efforts are being taken to control the locust attacks in the country.
He appreciated the institutional efforts for elimination of locust in the country.
He said the government is increasing locust elimination capacity and also in touch with international organizations to get benefits from their experience to deal with it. He said that the situation is being monitored closely.
He said the NDMA is working with full commitment in this regard and the issue is being sensitized as well.
The Minister said that operation and survey process are underway in locust-hit areas across the country.
