Stray horses damage crops, orchards: Local Residents
Pulwama: The farmers in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have been complaining about the presence of stray and abandoned horses in their agricultural fields and orchards since the past several months now, reports said.
The residents of Tral and its adjacent areas in Pulwama district alleged that some persons who own horses and donkeys make them work during most part of the year and then leave them abandoned during winters.
They said that these abandoned animals are straying into agricultural land and orchards and damage standing crops besides taking heavy toll of the trees and other properties of the farmers.
As per eye witnesses, groups of horses can be seen in many areas of Tral and have been roaming there for last few months, particularly in vegetable fields, mustard fields and orchards, due to which local farmers are facing loses.
“They have been damaging our vegetable fields and fruit trees for years. Authorities are not taking any action in curbing the growing number of stray animals,” a local, Touseef Ahmad, said.
Experts said that abandonment of animals is a punishable offence in light of prevention of cruelty to animals act.
They said that it is normally a prerogative of municipalities to take care of these animals as there is special clause in Municipal act to deal with this menace.
They termed abandoning of horses as unethical and inhuman.
Locals meanwhile, requested authorities to levy a fine on owners who abandon their cattle during winters.
They also requested concerned authorities to take cognizance of the issue at an earliest and take immediate steps so that such things won’t happen in future
Jahangeer Ganaie
