Sumbal, Jan 8: Outbreak of a deadly disease in sheep in many villages here has sent shock waves among the villagers who allege there are no trained veterinarians available in the government run veterinary centres to take care of the livestock. 
As per the locals a large number of sheep have been infected by some disease in villages of Takinwadi Bakhsipora, Tregam,  Shadipora, Shilwath, Rakhshilwath, Wanipora Nesbal, and adjoining villages of Shadipora Sumbal. 
 “Around 60 sheep died in last three days with para-vets at the centres failing to get the disease diagnosed and controlled,” they said.
The farmers alleged that untimely and sub-dosing of different medicines by the para-vets and attendants posted in different veterinary centres in these villages caused their sheep to contract such a fatal disease.
“Few months back our sheep were dosed by the para-vets and attendants posted in different veterinary centres who at that time promised us better weight gain and health of our livestock but the results are opposite,” they said.
The villagers said the non-availability of doctors in different veterinary centres had complicated their problems.  They said the government should provide the centres with doctors so that they can take care of the disease.
  “Around 27 sheep died in our village and equal number of mortality occurred in other villages since yesterday, the deaths continue to occur but we are witnessing no immediate measures by the sheep husbandry department and there are no doctors available here,” said Muhammad Akbar Malla of Shilwat.
“We have several sheep husbandry centres meant for the treatment of our ailing sheep but all these centres are manned by para-vets and attendants who are unable to control such deadly diseases rather they cause more harm to our livestock” a local sheep farmer said.
President Sheep Breeders’ Association Sumbal Sonawari, Zahoor Ahmed Bhat told Greater Kashmir that they have witnessed such incidents of great losses in past also and threatened to move to court to “get justice as our complaints and requests fell on deaf ears.”

REAL PROBLEM:
To mention the J&K Veterinary Council Act 2001 prohibits rendering of treatment of animals by persons without BVSc & AH qualification and the para-vets are allowed to carry out minor veterinary practices like AI, Vaccinations and administration of medicines prescribed by a qualified vet. But in contrast to this, in J&K there are around 1127 animal/sheep centres, sub-centres manned by either para vets without having qualified doctors.
Experts said in order to meet the stipulations of the Act it was necessary to create more posts of VAS to make available services of qualified vets to the poor farmers vis-à-vis abiding the act.
“State government has not created any new posts in the state since
1988 that has put the live stock industry and rural economy at stake,” sources said.
“As per the act for every 2000 livestock population there need the services of at least one veterinarian with a qualification of BVSC & AH but here all these rules and regulations are violated with farmers at the receiving end,” they said.
To mention the sheep breeding is an important activity and a means of livelihood of Sumbal Sonawawari and the adjoining areas with each household rearing around 80 to 150 of sheep however the outbreak of such diseases according to the locals is not a new thing and government efforts to tackle such deadly outbreaks of diseases has never been achieved.
Director sheep husbandry Kashmir, R L Khar refused to comment on the issue.
Minister for science and technology, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhulla when contacted told Greater Kashmir that the fast track recruitment for Veterinary Assistant Surgeons is going on.
He said if placement of para-vets in 1127 centres violates law, similar number of posts will be created under norms soon to provide such centres with doctors.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST