Kargil, May 18, 2025 — Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kargil-I successfully organized a pest management drive at Poyen village in collaboration with the Department of Forest and the Department of Horticulture. The event was aimed at controlling the outbreak of the Brown Tail Moth, a serious polyphagous pest affecting forest and horticultural crops.

The drive was led by Dr. Nasreen F. Kacho, Head of KVK Kargil-I, and Dr. Nazir Hussain, Scientist (Agronomy), along with Mr. Villayat, Range Officer from the Forest Department. Extension workers from both the Forest and Horticulture Departments and a large number of villagers actively participated in the initiative.

Dr. Fatima provided detailed information about the Brown Tail Moth, its lifecycle, and the damage it causes. Dr. Nazir Hussain demonstrated spraying techniques to the villagers. As part of the drive, the Forest and Horticulture Departments supplied Bacillus thuringiensis, a biological insecticide effective against Lepidopteran pests. Additionally, sprayer machines were provided to assist in controlling the infestation. KVK, Kargil also provided brown tail management pamphlets in Urdu language.

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The main method adopted during the drive was mechanical management. Infested webs were pruned using both advanced tools and locally made pruners, followed by safe burning of the removed material.

Dr. Kacho warned that if timely action is not taken, the pest could lead to extensive damage to both forest areas and horticultural produce. She advised villagers to complete spraying within the current week, as the pest will enter the pupation stage by the end of the month, after which chemical control will no longer be effective.

She further urged the community to actively seek out and destroy any visible webs. Dr. Kacho also cautioned that contact with the Brown Tail Moth can cause allergic reactions in humans and animals, emphasizing the need for vigilance.