China prepares for possible locust invasion
The desert locusts have already ravaged crops and pastures in several countries in east Africa and swarms have spread into India and Pakistan.
China could face a desert locust invasion, a government body warned yesterday, urging local authorities to prepare for the possible arrival of the voracious insects from neighbouring Pakistan and India.
The risk of swarms entering the country is low, although China will be hampered in tracking the locusts by a lack of monitoring techniques and little knowledge of migration patterns, the National Forestry and Grassland Administrations said on its website.
Locust swarms could enter the Tibet region from Pakistan and India, or the south-western province of Yunnan through Myanmar, depending on climate conditions, the notice said. Swarms could also fly across Kazakhstan and into China's Xinjiang region.
Authorities in the western region, which also borders Pakistan, said mountains and the absence of tropical and sub-tropical deserts have reduced the chances of locusts migrating into the area, but such a possibility will increase in June and July if outbreaks cannot be effectively controlled overseas, Xinhua reported yesterday.
Task force
Customs at Khunjerab, a pass between China and Pakistan in south-western Xinjiang, have started monitoring surrounding areas within 2 km for locusts. They are inspecting or sterilising vehicles and goods crossing the border, targeting locust adults that might come along or soil and plants that contain the insect eggs, according to the state media.
The desert locusts have already ravaged crops and pastures in several countries in east Africa.
- Nampa/Reuters
The risk of swarms entering the country is low, although China will be hampered in tracking the locusts by a lack of monitoring techniques and little knowledge of migration patterns, the National Forestry and Grassland Administrations said on its website.
Locust swarms could enter the Tibet region from Pakistan and India, or the south-western province of Yunnan through Myanmar, depending on climate conditions, the notice said. Swarms could also fly across Kazakhstan and into China's Xinjiang region.
Authorities in the western region, which also borders Pakistan, said mountains and the absence of tropical and sub-tropical deserts have reduced the chances of locusts migrating into the area, but such a possibility will increase in June and July if outbreaks cannot be effectively controlled overseas, Xinhua reported yesterday.
Task force
Customs at Khunjerab, a pass between China and Pakistan in south-western Xinjiang, have started monitoring surrounding areas within 2 km for locusts. They are inspecting or sterilising vehicles and goods crossing the border, targeting locust adults that might come along or soil and plants that contain the insect eggs, according to the state media.
The desert locusts have already ravaged crops and pastures in several countries in east Africa.
- Nampa/Reuters
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