Port Blair, March 24: The Andaman Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee President, Shri. Rangalal Halder has demanded the Administration to resolve the insect infestation issue which has been spread in the Coconut trees under the Village of Nimbutala Panchayat, North & Middle Andaman.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Halder said that this insect infestation has damaged hundreds of coconut trees over the past weeks and is liable to spread to the key growing areas by the coming days, severely crippling the Island’s most valuable agricultural backbone.

He also said that if the Administration delays in taking major steps, then it will be beyond the limits to handle the insect infestation damages over other Horticultural crops of the villages.

He further stated that to take emergency safety measures to head off the coconut scale infestation, such as pruning of leaves and spraying of pesticides at the earliest to save the coconut plantation of Nimbutala and adjoining areas.