CHANDIGARH: In the wake of the devastating floods in the state, Punjab Animal Husbandry department’s 481 teams have been working relentlessly in flood-affected areas to ensure the care and well-being of livestock. Each team has 4 members comprising veterinary officer, veterinary inspector/pharmacist and a class four employee, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab.
Highlighting the devastating effects of the deluge, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that 504 cattle/buffaloes, 73 sheep & goats and 160 pigs have perished across 14 districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Barnala, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar and Moga. Additionally, 18, 304 poultry birds died in Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Fazilka due to the collapse of poultry sheds.
He further informed that approximately 2.52 lakhs animals and 5, 88, 685 poultry birds were affected by the floods.
Underlining the key relief efforts being carried out by the Animal Husbandry department, S. Khudian said that 481 teams have been deployed to provide treatment and arrange medicines for affected livestock. Till now, 22, 534 animals have been provided treatment. Additionally, 24x7 control rooms have been established both at the state headquarters (contact number 0172-5086064) and district level offices to coordinate relief efforts and respond to emergencies. He urged the public to cooperate with relief efforts and report animal distress to the dedicated control rooms.
He further said that the department has distributed relief supplies, including over 12, 170 quintals of feed and 5090.35 quintals of green fodder, dry fodder and silage, to support livestock in flood-affected districts, in collaboration with the district administration and social organizations. Uromin licks are also being supplied to the animals to boost their immune system.
Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Mr. Rahul Bhandari said that the department has already released a total of Rs 31.50 lakh for the treatment of animals affected by the floods. He also directed officials to ensure prompt response to distress calls, provide timely medical care and supplies to affected animals, and coordinate with district administrations and social organisations for effective relief work.