New Delhi: A fresh wave of
locust swarms from Africa is likely to infest India in a few weeks when crop planting is in full swing. Monsoon winds can steer the
pests to India unless neighbouring
Pakistan kills them on the way, officials said.
"Pakistan holds the key. If they eliminate locust swarms at their side of the border, we will not have any threat,"
Locust Warning Organisation deputy director KL Gurjar told ET. He said Pakistan has conducted some aerial operations to kill locust.
The pests, which infested around 100,000 hectares across states, have been restricted. “Now, locust are visible only in parts of western
Rajasthan. There is no immediate threat of them crossing Rajasthan. We will deploy 25 drones from Friday to control them,” he said.