Buffalo fair cum awareness programme organised
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 20 2022:
Apunba Imagi Machashing (AIMS) with-support from the state directorate of veterinary and animal husbandry services organised a buffalo (Silui) fair cum technological awareness programme under the theme 'Save Buffalo, Save Natural Farming' at New Tusom village in Ukhrul district on Friday.
New Tusom Village Development Council chairman Graceson M Vashum, village headman Shangmayo Vashum, retired additional director of health services Dr S Manikanta, Manipur University Zoology department head professor N Mohilal, AIMS president Mayanglambam Khelendro, veterinary and animal husbandry services joint director Ukhrul Dr Bhubaneshwar Naoroibam and AIMS director Naoroibam Ratan attended the fair as presidium members.
Speaking on the occasion, Graceson M Vashum informed that Tusom villagers mainly depend on buffalo rearing for their livelihoods and the fair was organised to promote buffalo farming activity.
They tried to organise the fair in 2019 but got delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic, he said and thanked Chingai MLA and veterinary minister Khasim Vashum for his support in organising the fair.
He further said that there are around 2,000 buffaloes in the village after some cattle died during an epidemic last year.
Officials of veterinary department visited the village on getting the report and took up necessary measures to resolve the situation, he said.
The chairman also said that as there is no veterinary hospital or dispensary in the nearby areas to get timely medical treatment for ailing cattle, the villagers head to Ukhrul by covering a distance of around 80 km to get treatment, which is a rather dangerous task.
He then urged the department to set up a dispensary or hospital in the nearby area keeping in view of the generations-old practice of the villagers.
A committee was formed to monitor and protect the buffalo of the villages and five sub-committees are working under the supervision of the committee.
So far, they are not getting any significant assistance from the government, he added.