CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The current locust invasion is the worst in India since 1993. It has already attacked the crops in Rajasthan on large scale. It has already wipe out crops over 500000 ha area in Rajasthan. In Gujarat the attack may spread to 12 Districts.

Detailed explanation-2: -During 2019-20, locust attack was reported in some districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Rajasthan Government has reported that a total area of 1,79,584 hectares of 8 districts of the state was affected by locust attack during 2019-20.

Detailed explanation-3: -India has a history of locust plagues and upsurges. The most recent significant upsurge was in 1997, where in there was incursion of 4 swarms. The number of recorded swarm incursions has varied earlier. The highest upsurge was observed in 1993, where in there were 172 swarms.

Detailed explanation-4: -Much of this movement, it seems, was aided by the strong westerly winds from Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal. Thus, we have had two meteorological drivers behind the current locust invasions: one, unseasonal heavy rains in the main spring-breeding tracts in March-April, and, two, strong westerly winds.

Detailed explanation-5: -Locusts form enormous swarms that spread across regions, devouring crops and leaving serious agricultural damage in their wake. What is a locust attack/invasion/plague. When the locusts start attacking crops and thereby destroy the entire agricultural economy, it is referred to as locust plague/locust invasion.