Dewar (Kupwara), June 6: People of this village are a worried lot these days. Reason, their fields— and even houses— have been infested by the millipedes threatening crop damage.
 The residents said swarms of millipedes invaded almost every residential building and all crop fields in Dewar Lolab five days ago. "Panic gripped us when we saw our rooms, houses, fields and even the utensils ridden with millipedes,” said a local Zakir Ahmad.
 The locals said they were concerned about the different crops in the area. “We fear that we may lose our crop to this gregarious lot,” they said.
 Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Muhammad Shafi Rather said he along with some agricultural experts visited the area and examined the situation.
 "Millipedes, although irritating, can do no harm to the humans,” he said
 He said after examining the area the agricultural experts told him the preponderance of millipedes had been caused due to “sudden climatic changes."
 Meanwhile, experts have recommended the phenyl spray on the affected places.
 Dr. Abdul Hameed, an agriculture expert, told Greater Kashmir that millipedes are not harmful to crops cultivated in the area. However he hastened to add that if they grew beyond a particular limit, then they could cause damage to the crops that are touching to soil. He said such crops were not cultivated here.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST