Interaction Program on Potential Locust Outbreak

Amidst the potential threat of the Locust outbreak, Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University has organized an interaction program on 1st June 2020. The theme of the program was “Locust Outbreak Issues: Potential Crisis and Preparedness in Nepal”. Dr. Prem Bahadur Budha, Associate Professor from the Central Department of Zoology highlighted the basic biology of the locust with reference to the desert locust. Dr. Samudra Lal Joshi, Former Principal Scientist & Chief, Entomology Division, NARC enlightened about the historical outbreaks of locust and the current perspective. Dr. Sunil Aryal, Senior Scientist, Entomology Division, NARC discussed the current situation of locust outbreak in Africa and South Asia, and potential impacts of such outbreaks in varieties of crops. Mr. Mahesh Chandra Acharya, Senior Plant Protection Officer, Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre, MoALD highlighted policy and planning of the Government of Nepal to cope with the insect pest outbreaks. The online interaction program was joined by former professors and current faculty of the department, representatives from other departments/campuses of the Tribhuvan University, members of different organizations, PhD scholars and students of the department, etc.