June 02, 2020, The Liberacy:- Locust Swarms are not a new phenomenon, but yes, its frequency and size have certainly increased in the current era.
Locust Swarms in India also happened during the Indian colonial era by the British. The major outbreaks happened in the years 1812, 1821, 1843, 1863, 1869, 1878, 1889, and 1896.
British were as worried as any government could be, but the reason for worry here was the extent of exploitation might go down. That means, less revenue, as it directly affects the agrarian economy.
Obviously, British India never wanted to lose a fight to Insects so they arrived at some conclusion and provided for some solutions.
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First, they tried to destroy the breeding grounds and locust larvae. For this, they used oil-tarred screens (Cyprus screens). Everything in this context was NOT effective. A failure.
The second method they used was “Net Method”, where they used large nets to catch and kill the Locusts. But, for this large manpower was required and hence, Indians were recruited to a large extent, but, with keeping the caste in mind. Majorly only lower caste people were engaged in this job.
The higher caste refused to carry into the job, thus, the British first threatened that no amount will be paid for the crops damaged by Locusts and then they offered Cash to the job, which was happily taken by the people of the lower caste.
After a prolonged period, the British looked at the Syrian Model of handling the situation, where they used birds that can eat locusts.
Birds like Rosy Pastors, Domestic Fowls, and Partridges were involved. This proved much effective than manpower and less expensive.
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Locust Control Measures in India presently.
Spraying of insecticide containing an appropriate quantity of Metarhizium Anisopilae Fungus is used, which is organic in nature.
Organochlorine, Organophosphate, Carbamates, and Synthetic Pyrethroids are some of the other chemicals used for spraying on Locusts to kill them.
At the hilltops or mountainous ranges, drones are used to spray such chemicals.
Chances are that if not controlled in the early phase, these locusts will boost its population with the arrival of Monsoon in India, as it is when they start laying eggs.
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