Locusts are not uncommon in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan, but this year they have also entered the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for the first time since 1993 and the state of Maharashtra for the first time since 1974. They also do not usually move so far into Rajasthan from the border with Pakistan. So far, the insects have devoured almost 50,000 hectares or 123,500 acres of agricultural land in seven Indian states, putting pressure on farmers already struggling with the impacts of the coronavirus lockdown.
By Olivia Rosane. EcoWatch. May. 27, 2020.
