Ajaz Ali
Srinagar: Hundreds of sheep and cattle have died after the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the upper reaches of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, locals said Monday.
They said that scores of shepherds, mostly from Chopan community take their livestock to the green pastures in the upper reaches of Diskhal, Danideran, Corag, Zandeqabar, Liddermud, Mechikhenan, Bargah, Shidak for grazing. According to the locals, scores of sheep and cattle have perished after foot and mouth disease outbreak early this month. The locals also alleged that the animal husbandry was paying no heed to their request for vaccination.
Mohammad Sidiq Dar, Brenwar told Kashmir Observer that he has been pleading before the officials from last two months to vaccinate his herd. However, the officials, he said, paid no heed to his requests saying that they don’t have vaccines available in stock.
“The officials ask us to buy vaccines from the open market. If the government makes tall claims, why don’t they provide vaccines to us,” he said.
Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Khan told Kashmir Observer that the claims of shepherds about FMD outbreak may be right or wrong. He said his department had vaccinated the livestock in Khansahib and adjoining areas after making a grid.
The Central government had taken responsibility for vaccination but somehow it got delayed. However, we carried out vaccination vigorously,” Khan said.
“We will send a team tomorrow to the affected areas,” he added.
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