After a new variety of locusts was spotted in Ooty, farmers here fear it could be the the one attacking North India.
Nilgiris: After a new variety of locust not local to The Nilgiris was spotted in Ooty, farmers here fear it could be the one attacking North India.
Farmers in Ooty are in panic about a new variety of locust being spotted, wondering whether it could be the one wreaking havoc in North India. In a single day, the locusts have been destroying crops that can be used to feed 35,000.
When traders were closing down shops in Ooty, they spotted some locusts in the area. Since they appeared to be of a new variety, they trapped some in a bottle and contacted the District Collector, wanting to know if it is the same kind that has been causing crop damages in the Northern states.
The District Collector has urged the relevant authorities to check this issue. Investigations are on to find out if these locusts were transported via lorries from North India. Some say they could be a variety commonly found in these areas.
A trapped locust has been sent to the Agriculture Research Center in Coimbatore for investigation. Further action will be taken upon consultation with the authorities, said the District Collector.