Sheep husbandry suffers loss of Rs 60 cr, 1.15 lakh sheep and goats perish

Flood aftermath

‘Deptt craves for compensation’

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 24:

The state sheep husbandry has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 60 crore, with over 1.15 lakh sheep and goats perished in the recent floods that struck the state last month.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Deputy Director, Sheep Husbandry, Dr Syed Moin Ul Haq that in the recent incessant rains and flash floods, over 15 lakh livestock got affected, out of which 1.15 lakh sheep and goats died.

Besides, huge loss to the livestock, the husbandry also incurred huge infrastructural loss.

“Over 1000 shelter-sheds, meant for livestock got damaged across the state and has affected more than 58,000 farmers associated with this field,” said Dr Haq.

He said that the worst affected areas across the state that suffered maximum loss were Kulgam, Shopian, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Kupwara, parts of Baramulla and other alpine areas.

“In Kashmir, the infrastructural loss is mostly of damaged shelter-sheds, but in Jammu region the land of the department got washed away at many places, thus raising the loss manifold,” said Deputy Director.

He said that immediately after floods, the department had asked state government for medical assistance, which generally includes immunization of the affected livestock.

“The department received compensation of Rs 75 lakh from the state government for the first-aid of the affected livestock, as against proposed Rs 89 lakh,” Dr Moin said.

He further added that the department held 25 day long immunization camp across the state to provide first-aid to the affected livestock.

However, confirming the loss, Director of the sheep husbandry, Dr Sant Ram said that on the basis of primary assessment of the damage, the technical team of the department has evaluated loss of more than 60 crores.

“We have also received reports from the private farmers about their loss. In Kashmir the assessment is almost complete and accurate, but due to mobility of Gujjars and Bakerwals, we are unable to estimate the exact loss,” said Director.

He said that in many areas reports about washing away of lands, along with shelter sheds and livestock are pouring, which further escalates the amount of loss.

“We have asked state government for compensation of the died livestock, as well as for the damaged infrastructure,” said Dr Sant Ram, adding that the state government has not yet provided single penny for restoration of the affected infrastructure.

“We have projected our loss to the state government more than once, but  received no response. Even the compensation cost for first-aid and livestock feed in several parts of the Jammu region is yet to receive,” Dr lamented.