Mithi, Tharparkar: The outbreak of viral diseases in livestock reported from differed parts of Tharparkar. The herders are loosing their asset, source of income as well major source of nutrition. Massive campaign for livestock vaccination urged along promoting animal husbandry by livestock keepers demanded in a dialogue held here at Chachro organized by AWARE.
Thar got a heavy rainfall this year after a continuous three years drought but due to disturbance in germination cycle of grasses the toxic grasses are found in excess in area instead of chocolate grasses, so it become difficult to graze the animals in Thar for a longer period, said Dr. Mohammad Ismail Qaimkhani. Enterotoxaemia is a dangerous disease of livestock due to spate of this disease thousands of animals perished in district Tharparkar due to this disease. The mortality caused massive economic losses to the people of Tharparkar, whose major source of livelihood is livestock. This is found that the animals are suffering due to various diseases like Urticarial in camels, Sheep Pox in the sheep FMD (Foot & Mouth Disease) in goats. In Chachro area sheep is perishing rapidly, Dr Qaimkhani added.
Rehmatullah Kunbhar a social activist briefed the delegation that this is a huge issue and a massive vaccination campaign is required to save the livestock in Thar because this is single major asset, source of income as well as source of nutrition for Thari people. AWARE has launched a vaccination campaign with the support of TDH Tere des homes and BMZ funding under a collaborative engagement for Livestock Department in 15 villages of Taluka Chachro. For sensitization of communities and to promote the practice of vaccination in area so far ETV vaccination against enterotoxaemia is done. So far, 14135 animals including the 9560 goats and 4575 sheep were vaccinated and veterinary doctor educated the communities on the livestock diseases prevention measures and vaccination. Besides, campaign a survey on livestock was also carried out in the area to know the approximate number of livestock in the project communities, Kunbhar added.
Taluka Veterinary Officer Dr Ajai said that, we are trying with our best to cope up with situation but the area has difficult terrain and requires human and financial resources to reach each village and settlement in Thar desert. He reiterated that animal husbandry is making a significant contribution to the national economy and socio-economic development of the country. The campaign supported by AWARE has also built a bridge between communities and Taluka livestock department, so other stakeholders should join hand, he requested.
Haji Jeearo Sand, a farmer shared that livestock vaccination is urgently required to protect the assets of people from deaths in all over Tharparkar. If the government helps the people of Tharparkar in managing their goats, sheep, camels & other livestock then ultimately will benefit Thari people in securing their livestock based food chain.
Gotam Rathi said that Tharparkar district is home to over 6.5 million animal heads but only one percent budget of Sindh livestock department is allocated for Tharparkar. He pointed out that due to there years consecutive droughts the germination cycle of grasses is disturbed and thus year toxic grasses are seen instead of chocolate grasses, so there is need to look into by academia, researchers and stakeholders for alternatives and come up with possibilities to meet the situation.
Pardeep Kumar shared that livestock department Tharparkar has 124 veterinary centers, 09 veterinary hospitals and 02 mobile units for meeting the needs of 6.5 million animals heads, so this is difficult to meet the needs especially when outbreaks are reported in far flung areas of Thar, so Govt should come up with a comprehensive plan to support the Thari people.
On the occasion, Nabi Bux, Rizwana Baloch and other shared their views and urged the official concerned to take the notice of situation.
