Drones have aided the implementation of the Covid lockdown and other pandemic awareness measures, while also helping with search efforts in Uttarakhand floods last month.
The swarms have hit various districts of western UP and the Bundelkhand region in the last 48 hours, prompting alerts in several places like Agra, Kasganj, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot and Jhansi.
In January, more than 25,000 hectares of wheat, rapeseed, cumin & potatoes in Gujarat were hit by locusts & a third of crops damaged in 75% of affected areas.
Locust swarms from their spring-breeding habitats in East Africa and Iran-Pakistan may travel to India by early July. Experts also say breeding will take place during monsoon.
The Act also has punishable provision — violation invites conviction with fine, which may extend upto Rs 50 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 days.
IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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