Foot and mouth disease affects livestock in Tral, many perish
Pulwama: Amid ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, an outbreak of infectious disease, known as Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) has left dozens of domestic animals dead in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The FMD erupted among the domestic animals some days back due to which over dozen animals mainly cows have died in Bagandar area of Tral.
Wali Mohammad Mir, a local resident said that he has brought a cow with great difficulty but now foot and mouth disease has left his cow dead and there is no source of income left him.
Locals said that the administration has made a number of announcements to boost the livestock industry, but the government’s claims to address the problems faced at the grassroots level are proving hollow.
“Over the past several days, about a dozen cattle have died due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and other diseases in the upper areas of Tral, which has caused a wave of concern among the people,” they said.
“Public outrage is mounting after a dozen animals died of foot-and-mouth disease. Large numbers of cattle are being affected by the disease,” said Shabir Ahmad, another local.
People of the area said that the concerned authorities are acting as silent spectators.
“So far no team has bothered to visit the affected areas,” locals alleged.
Notably, the disease has spread to Bangadar, Dargad, Hajan, Satoora, Naristan, Saimou and Rathsuna and other small pockets.
A local woman narrated her story, saying, “My cow also died of the disease and ironically, no medicine has been given so far even after the outbreak of the disease in the area.”
Locals have demanded compensation to the affected farmers and have also appealed animal husbandry officials to visit the area and educate the people.
“Besides efforts to vaccinate the animals should be intensified so that disease won’t spread further,” they added.
Additional deputy commissioner Tral said that he will seek a report in this regard from concerned officials and will direct them to visit the area and meet the farmers there.
