Government of India

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE& FARMERS WELFARE

(DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CO-OPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE)

Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage

LOCUST CIRCLE OFFICE

BARMER (RAJASTHAN) 344001

Ph. 02982-220045, e-mail: lwcrj08@nic.in

READY RECONER

CONTENTS

Item No. Description Page No.

1 Organization Chart 1

2 Employees Details 2-3

3 Brief Description of Duties 4-5

4 Work Allocation 6-9

5 Priority Areas 10

6 Locust Control

1.Introduction

2. Genesis of Locust Warning Organization.

3. Present set up of Locust Circle Office, Barmer.

4.Objective

5.Major Functions

6.Surveillance & Monitoring of Desert Locust

7.Indo-Pak Locust Officers Border meeting

8.Control Potential

9.Awareness Creation

10.Farmers Field Schools (FFS)

11-17

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

Dte’ of PPQ & S, Locust Division, Faridabad

Locust Warning Organization (Field Hqr), Jodhpur

10 Locust Circle Offices + FSIL Bikaner

Locust Circle Office,

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

Dte’ of PPQ & S, Locust Division, Faridabad

Locust Warning Organization (Field Hqr), Jodhpur

10 Locust Circle Offices + FSIL Bikaner

Locust Circle Office, Barmer

1

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

Dte’ of PPQ & S, Locust Division, Faridabad

Locust Warning Organization (Field Hqr), Jodhpur

10 Locust Circle Offices + FSIL Bikaner

2

EMPLOYEES DETAILS OF LOCUST CIRCLE OFFICE, BARMER

SL.

No

Name Designation Mobile

No.

Address

01. Mahesh Chandra Plant Protection Officer (PP)

8386053930

Village: Dharampura

(Jagir), Post:Pachokhara

District Jalaun (U.P)

Pin -285127

02. K.V. Choudary Plant Protection Officer ( E) 9866426515

Nagulapalem Post,

Parchur mandal,

Prakasam Dist. (A.P.)

03. V. Sivagnanam Plant Protection Officer (E) 9443672131

15, R,K. Nagar,

Singanallure,

Coimbatore, (Tamil Nadu)

04. Manni Ram Bera Asst.Plant Protection Officer(WS) 9460935673

Village Gawalu, Via

Khajwana, Nagaur

District (Rajasthan)

05. Ugra Ram Scientific Assistant 9461520342 Village /Post: Kapoordi ,

Barmer District.

06. Mala Ram Scientific Assistant 9414607764 Village /Post :Alamsar,

Thasil Chohtan,

Barmer District

07. Mangal Singh Driver Cum Mechanic 9799707066 Goyalon ki Dhani, Nandra

kallan , Jodhpur District.

08. Bajrang Lal Gaur Driver Cum Mechanic 9982450207 Plot No. 14 B, Dhathi

Mathi Nagar, Bhadwara

Jodhpur.

09. Gordhan Singh Driver Cum Mechanic 9461084468 Village/ Post : Chuli,

Barmer District

10. Tejmal Singh Driver Cum Mechanic 9461083091 Village /Post:

Mahabar,Patanion ki

Dhani, Barmer District.

11. Mohan Multi Tasking Staff 7597768489 H.No. 7215,

Choupasini Housing

Board Colony, Jodhpur.

12. Kanwara Ram Multi Tasking Staff 9680317722 Rico area, Gangai Nagar,

Maliyon ka vas , Barmer

13. Luna Ram Multi Tasking Staff 8094169078 Rico area, Gangai Nagar,

Maliyon ka vas , Barmer

14. Punja Ram Multi Tasking Staff 9636587564 Near Sarsawati School

Indra Nagar, Barmer.

15. Kheraj Ram Multi Tasking Staff 9001399193 Village/ Post: Kapoordi ,

Barmer District.

3

MANPOWER

The Sanctioned staff strength of the Locust Circle Office is given below:

Sl.No Post Sanctioned Existing Vacant Excess

1 Officer 1 3 -- 2*

2 Technical 11 3 8 --

3 Ministerial 1 -- 1 --

4 Mechanical 5 4 1 --

5 MTS 7 5 2 --

TOTAL 25 15 12 2

Excess: *2 posts of APPOs was promoted to PPO(E) and working in LCO, Barmer

4

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Plant Protection Officer (E):

� Head of Office/Drawing and Disbursing Officer and Controlling officer of Locust

Circle Office.

� Coordination with the Directorate of PPQ&S, Faridabad, Locust Warning

Organization, Jodhpur and State Government for successful implementation of

Desert locust control.

� To perform any other duties assigned by Controlling Officer/Superiors from time

to time

� Supervision of work assigned to staff

� RTI matters and Public grievances. .

Assistant Plant Protection Officer:

� To conduct desert locust surveys in the scheduled desert areas

� To conduct farmer’s Field Schools and popularizing activities related to

Integrated Pest Management.

� Assist in undertaking control operations against Locusts.

� To assist in preparing technical information on desert locust and also in related

documentation work.

� To handle and ensure maintenance of routine/hi-tech scientific equipments, plant

protection equipments.

� Maintain all relevant records, collection and collation of data and preparation of

technical reports.

� To assist in organizing training on desert locust control.

� To assist in maintaining liaison with external agencies namely State

Governments, State Agricultural Universities, farmers, BSF personnel etc..

� To perform any other duties assigned by Controlling Officer/Superiors from time

to time

Scientific Assistant:

� To conduct locust surveys in the scheduled desert areas.

� To assist in undertaking control operations against locusts.

� To associate render technical advice to farmers.

� To assist higher officials in arranging International/National

Meetings/Conference.

� To assist in arranging the locust training for district level officials/farmers.

� To assist higher officers in performing any other day to day activities assigned.

5

Technical Assistant:

� To conduct locust surveys in the scheduled desert areas.

� To assist in undertaking control operations against locusts.

� To associate render technical advice to farmers.

� To assist higher officials in arranging International/National

Meetings/Conference.

� To assist in arranging the locust training for district level officials/farmers.

� To assist higher officers in performing any other day to day activities assigned.

Driver cum Mechanic:

� Driving duty to conduct locust surveys in the scheduled desert areas.

� Driving duty to assist in undertaking control operations against locusts.

� Driving duty to assist higher officials in arranging International/National

Meetings/Conference/ locust training programmes etc.

� To assist higher officers in performing any other day to day activities assigned.

� Maintenance &repairing of Office Vehicles to keep in condition

Multi Tasking Staff:

� To assist in conduct locust surveys in the scheduled desert areas.

� To assist in undertaking control operations against locusts.

� To assist higher officials in arranging International/National

Meetings/Conference/locust training programmes etc.

� To assist higher officers in performing any other day to day activities assigned.

� Maintenance of office premises cleanliness, watch &ward duty and other day to

day works

6

WORK ALLOCATION

Work allocation to the officers/officials of LCO,Barmer

Shri. Mahesh Chandra , PPO (PP)

• Looking after the Technical and Administrative work of the office.

• Drawing and disbursing of office transactions.

• Participating in Cross Country Survey, Distant Survey, Special Border Desert

Locust Survey.

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting on Desert Locust.

• Participating in the Farmers Field School programmes.

• Maintenance of Service Books.

• To conduct Awareness and control training programmes on Desert Locust to

State Agricultural officers/ officials, Farmers &BSF personnel.

Shri. K.V. Choudary , PPO (E)

• Preparation of Technical Reports (Fortnightly, Monthly &Annual reports).

• Preparation of Pay Bills &other bills (Through on line PFMS).

• Participating in Cross Country, Distant and Special Border Desert locust Survey.

• Drafting of Office letters.

• Assisting in all accounts matters.

• Maintenance of Office files/records and reports.

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting.

• Assisting the Officer in-charge in the day today activities

Shri. V. Sivagnanam, PPO (E)

• Participating in Cross Country , Distant ,Special Border Desert locust Survey

• Preparation of Technical Reports ( Fortnightly and Monthly )

• Drafting of Office letters

• Assisting the Officer in charge in the day today activities

• Maintenance of Office files and records

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting.

7

Shri. Manni Ram Bera , APPO (W.S.)

• Participating in Cross Country , Distant , Special Border desert locust survey

• Preparation of T.A Bills of all the staff members

• Conducting Hindi meeting and sending the reports

• Assisting the Officer in charge in the day today activities

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting

Shri. Ugra Ram , SA

• Participating in cross country , Distant , Border desert locust survey

• Maintenance of Office files and records

• Looking after the accounts matters

• Maintenance of Stores

• Maintenance of Office records and files

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Border meeting

• Participating in the Farmers Field School programmes

• Assisting the officer in charge in the day today activities

Shri. Mala Ram, SA

• Participating in Cross Country , Distant, Border desert locust survey

• Looking after daring and dispatching of office letters

• Maintenance of Office records

• Participating in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting

• Assisting the officer in charge in the day today activities

Shri.Mangal Singh , DCM

• Driving duty in Cross Country , Distant , Border desert locust surveys

• Driving duty in the Indo-Pak Border meeting

• Driving duty in day to day activities.

Shri. Bajrang Lal Gaur , DCM

• Driving duty in Cross Country , Distant , Border desert locust surveys

• Driving duty in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting

• Driving duty in day to day activities.

8

Shri. Gordhan Singh , DCM

• Driving duty in Cross Country , Distant , Border desert locust surveys

• Driving duty in the Indo-Pak Officers Border meeting

• Driving duty in day to day activities.

Shri. Tejmal Singh , DCM

• Driving duty in Cross Country , Distant , Border desert locust surveys

• Driving duty in the Indo – Pak Officers Border meeting

• Driving duty in day to day activities.

Shri. Mohan, MTS

• General cleanliness & upkeep of the Office premises

• Carrying of files & other papers within the building

• Physical maintenance of records of the section

• Delivering Dak

• Watch & Ward duties

• Driving of Vehicles, if in possession of a valid driving license.

• Upkeeps of parks, lawns, potted plants.

• Assisting of Technical staffs and Officer in day today activities.

• Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

Shri. Kanwara Ram, MTS

• General cleanliness & upkeep of the Office premises

• Carrying of files & other papers within the building

• Physical maintenance of records of the section

• Delivering Dak

• Watch & Ward duties

• Driving of Vehicles, if in possession of a valid driving license.

• Upkeeps of parks, lawns, potted plants.

• Assisting of Technical staffs and Officer in day today activities.

• Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

9

Shri. Luna Ram, MTS

• General cleanliness & upkeep of the Office premises

• Carrying of files & other papers within the building

• Physical maintenance of records of the section

• Delivering Dak

• Watch & Ward duties

• Driving of Vehicles, if in possession of a valid driving license.

• Upkeeps of parks, lawns, potted plants.

• Assisting of Technical staffs and Officer in day today activities.

• Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

Shri. Punja Ram, MTS

• General cleanliness & upkeep of the Office premises

• Carrying of files & other papers within the building

• Physical maintenance of records of the section

• Delivering Dak

• Watch & Ward duties

• Driving of Vehicles, if in possession of a valid driving license.

• Upkeeps of parks, lawns, potted plants.

• Assisting of Technical staffs and Officer in day today activities.

• Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

Shri. Keraj Ram Ram, MTS

• General cleanliness & upkeep of the Office premises

• Carrying of files & other papers within the building

• Physical maintenance of records of the section

• Delivering Dak

• Watch & Ward duties

• Driving of Vehicles, if in possession of a valid driving license.

• Upkeeps of parks, lawns, potted plants.

• Assisting of Technical staffs and Officer in day today activities.

• Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

10

PRIORITY AREAS

• Regular extensive survey and monitoring of locust population by LCO in

scheduled desert area (Rajasthan) which is kept check on local breeding and

invasion of locusts besides control of its population.

• All the application equipments and vehicles were got repaired, lubricated and

were checked for their mobility and kept ready to use well before onset of the

breeding season i.e. monsoon season. State Administration was also regularly

approached to get prompt information on locust activities.

• Organization of awareness / training programme on Desert Locust biology,

behavior, monitoring and control to the farmers and state functionaries to make

them aware of the techniques to identify the desert locust and inform the nearest

locust circle offices in case of any locust activity is observed by them in their

areas.

• Parliamentary matters: Starred Questions, Unstarred Questions to be dealt on

priority basis

• RTI Matters

11

INTRODUCTION

Insects have reined the world earlier than mankind. They are omnipresent right from

below the earth to hill top. Insects are very much associated with man’s life. Some are

useful and some are highly harmful to mankind, one of which is Desert locust, the most

harmful insect in the world. They are scourge of mankind since time immemorial.

Locusts are the short-horned grasshoppers with highly migratory habit, marked

polymorphism and voracious feeding behavior. They are capable of forming swarms

(adult’s congregation) and hopper bands (nymphal congregation). They cause great

devastation to natural and cultivated vegetation. They are indeed the sleeping giants that

can flare up any time to inflict heavy damage to the crops leading to national emergency

of food and fodder.

There are 10 important species of locusts in the world listed below.

SL.No. English Name Scientific Name

1. The Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria

2. The Bombay Locust Nomadacris succincta

3. The Migratory Locust Locusts migratoria manilensis; Locusta migratoria

migratoria-oides

4. The Italian Locust Calliptamus italicus

5. The Moroccan Locust Dociostaurus morocannus

6. The Red Locust Nomadacris septemfaciata

7. The Brown Locust Locustana pardalina

8. The South American

Locust Schistocerca paranensis

9. The Australian Locust Chortoicetes termenifera

10. The Tree Locust Anacridium Spp.

12

Only four species viz. Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory locust (Locusta

migratoria), Bombay Locust ( Nomadacris succincta) and Tree locust (Anacridium sp.)

are found in India. The desert locust is most important pest species in India as well as in

intercontinental context.

13

GENESIS OF LOCUST WARNING ORGANISATION

The Locust Warning Organization was established by Government of India in

1939 to combat the locust menace in India and Locust Circle Office, Barmer is

functioning as one of the important station of Locust Warning Organization in order to

monitor locust activity in the western part of India as Barmer district of Rajasthan is

having long sparsely populated Indo-Pak border which provides gateway for infiltration

of locust from west. Initially during summer of 1940 three locust outposts of LWO for

Sind and Rajputana (now Rajasthan) were set up: one each at Sardarshahar (Churu

district), Nokh (Jaisalmer district) and Chachro in Sind (now in Pakistan) with it does

headquarter at Barmer. In 1946 with the establishment of Directorate of Plant

Protection, Quarantine and Storage, under Ministry of Agriculture, Government of

India, New Delhi. LWO was entrusted with this Directorate which is now an apex

organization to mobilize plant protection practices in India.

PRESENT SET UP OF LCO, BARMER

During tenth five year plan, the Locust Warning Organization has been

restructured into one Central Hqrs at Faridabad, one Field Hqrs at Jodhpur and 10

Locust Circle Offices at Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Palanpur, Bhuj, Jalore, Phalodi,

Nagaur, Suratgarh and Churu by merging the five Circle offices and 23 Locust

Outposts. Besides, there is one Field Station for Investigations on Locusts (FSIL)

situated at Bikaner. After re-organization of LWO in 1994 Barmer Circle has the

liability of whole of Barmer district covering approximately 28,173.32 sq. Km. area of

Scheduled Desert.

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MANDATE

To keep monitoring on locust activities, movement of locust swarms and locust

population development (breeding) in Scheduled Desert Areas including Indo-Pak

border through regular field surveys and surveillance round the year.

Avoid upsurge of locust population in Scheduled Desert Area and entry of locust

swarms in to India through prompt control operations.

This station appraises the State Government issues the advisory to gear up their field

functionaries to keep a constant vigil on locust situation in their areas and intimate the

same to nearest LWO offices for taking necessary action at their end.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to protection of standing crops and other green vegetation from the

ravages of desert locust which is one of the most dangerous pests occurring in desert

areas throughout the world.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF LCO, BARMER

Implement monitoring of Locust activity and its population through regular field survey

and surveillance round the year to prevent crop losses due to locust attack in the state of

Rajasthan.

Undertake control operations if any invasion / upsurge of desert locust occurs.

Liase with all stake holders within the district for the locust surveillance and control,

based on the data of locust population and ecological conditions observed during the

surveys.

Train the farmers and state functionaries on techniques to identify the desert locust and

on latest control technologies.

Participate in Indo-Pak border meetings for exchange the information on Locust

situation between the two countries to effectively monitor the situation and ensure

preparedness to tackle emerging locust threat, if any.

Conduct Farmers field schools to the farmers on field crops through IPM Programme.

SURVEILLANCE & MONITORING OF DESERT LOCUST

Distant survey / Cross country survey and Special border surveys are being conducted

to monitor locust activities, movement of locust swarms and locust population

development (breeding) in Scheduled Desert Areas including Indo-Pak border round the

year. All surveys were conducted by using e-Locust-3 and survey reports were

submitted to LWO, Jodhpur as well as Directorate, Faridabad.

INDO-PAK LOCUST OFFICERS BORDER MEETING

Thar Desert includes Indo-Pak border line which is the significant breeding zone as well

as potential habitat for Desert locust breeding and development. Locust activity in one

country can affect the other. Hence exchange of latest information on locust activity

with the neighboring country is very much essential. So information from Pakistan

plays a vital role in organizing prompt control measures & vice versa. Keeping these in

view both the countries continue to hold joint monthly border meetings to discuss the

latest desert locust situation & rainfall in either side and accordingly chalk out the

control strategy.

CONTROL POTENTIAL AT LCO, BARMER

Satisfactory locust control potential is being maintained in the form of pesticides, hand

held Micro-ulva and vehicle mountable spray equipments (Ulva Mast and Micron air

AU 8115), wireless sets, eLocust3, GPS and trained staff. At present sanction strength

of various categories including Technical, Mechanical, Ministerial and M.T.S. staff is

twenty five. Out of which existing strength is 15. At present a total no. of 13 vehicles

present in this office out of which 8 vehicles are in good condition and used for

conducting locust survey/control. This Organization has amply demonstrated its

capability and effectiveness by organizing successful locust control operations against

locust invasions and upsurges of desert locust in the years 1962, 1978, 1993, 1997,

2005, 2007 and 2010. On and off mock drill operation on locust survey methodology,

recording and transmission of survey data and demonstration of equipments in desert

locust control operation were organized.

AWARENESS CREATION

By organizing awareness / training programme on Desert Locust biology, behavior,

monitoring and control to the farmers and state functionaries to make them aware of the

techniques to identify the desert locust and inform the nearest locust circle offices in

case of any locust activity is observed by them in their areas.

FARMER’S FIELD SCHOOL (FFS)

To popularize the IPM technology among farmers, IPM training & demonstrations are

being conducted in the farmers’ field every year during Rabi season. Agro Ecosystem

Analysis (AESA), need based Participatory Action Research (PAR), Management of

important pests, identification, conservation & augmentation of natural enemies are the

main exercises covered during the 14 week long FFS programme.

For more information please contact:

Plant Protection Officer (PP)

Locust Circle Office (Opposite Anchal Cinema / B.N.C. Hotel)

Uttarlai Road, BARMER (RAJASTHAN) – PIN: 344001

Ph. 02980-220045, e-mail: lwcrj08@nic.in

17

Statements of Receipts and Dispatch of letters

1. Letters received from 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2015 ----------- 403 Nos.

2. Letters received from 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2016 ------------ 511 Nos.

3. Letters received from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2017 ------------- 620 Nos.

4. Letters received from 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2018 ------------- 340 Nos.

5. Letters dispatched from 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2015 -------------- 548 Nos.

6. Letters dispatched from 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2016 --------------- 507 Nos.

7. Letters dispatched from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2017 --------------- 244 Nos.

8. Letters dispatched from 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2018 -------------- 193 Nos.

18