LAHORE: Fearing locusts’ attack in the districts bordering Sindh and Balochistan, Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar on Tuesday directed the provincial authorities to enhance surveillance and ensure strict monitoring of the situation in south Punjab, especially Bahawalpur.
He was presiding over a meeting held at Civil Secretariat to review the situation of locusts in Sindh and Balochistan and measures to cope with its possible attack in Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan.
The meeting also decided to form a working group to be headed by the senior member of the Board of Revenue to suggest measures to combat locusts.
The chief secretary asked the relevant departments to remain vigilant and timely complete necessary arrangements regarding the purchase of pesticides, and equipment used for spray.
He maintained that the cooperation of local communities is very important to combat locusts; therefore, they must be mobilized for scouting.
The secretary also ordered Agriculture Secretary Wasif Khursheed to actively coordinate with provincial and federal agencies.
He maintained that the provincial government is in contact with Sindh and Balochistan to get timely information about locusts.
He said that the Punjab government is coordinating with federal institutions and Ministry of National Food Security has assured that in case of any emergency the Plant Protection Department will respond by providing special aircraft and vehicles for spray.