Disaster Management — Social Science STD 8 — Question
Gujarat BoardEnglish MediumSTD 8Social ScienceDisaster Management5 Marks
Question
Write a short note about locust hazard.
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Answer
Locust hazard is a biotic disaster. Locust is one type of an insect. According to an estimation, there are approximately $11.000$ species of locusts found in the world. They stay in groups. They are in millions in one group.They are usually found in deserts. The length of the body of a locust is about one and half to two inches. There are strong wings on their back to fly. Their two hinder legs are longer than their two fore legs. There are two antennae-like hairs on their head. They tend to move in the direction of the wind. They can jump up to two to two and a half feet.
The locusts that attack in Gujarat are known 'Dessert Locusts'. This species of locust as is found in India, Pakistan and some arid countries of Africa. They have the tendency to eat equivalent to their own weight. So these are also known as 'Voracious Locusts'. As they become adult, they lay their eggs in the sand. They fly during the day and at night, they take rest at some place. They eat away all crops and vegetation except neem (limdo).
The locusts destroy all agricultural crops and the leaves of green vegetation in the areas where they spend the night. If the locusts strike the orchards of plantations crops, they cause a severe harm to the crops of lemon, dry dates. pomegranate, guava, gooseberry, etc. So the farmers have to suffer a heavy economic loss. Due to the lack of agricultural crops, a drought like conditions prevail in the regions where the locusts' attack takes place. However the drought like conditions can be prevented due to the facilities of transportation by bringing grains and fodder from other regions.
The probable damage can be reduced by spraying locust control pesticides according to the instructions of Department of Agriculture in the area which are prone to locust menace.
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