Buffalo Mela 2022 on May 20
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 16 2022:
With the main objective to raise public awareness about the need of preserving traditional water buffaloes and agricultural practices in the state, Village Development Council, New Tusom, and Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) will be organising The Buffalo (Eeroi/Seilui) Mela-cum-Awareness Programme at New Tusom village on May 20.The fair is also aimed at achieving central government's goal of doubling farmers' income, said AIMS director Dr Atom Sunil Singh in a release while urging the public to take part in the event.
He said New Tusom is a village under Chingai Tehsil of Ukhrul district and its residents and even neighbouring villages rely heavily on water buffalo as a source of income.
The highest number of around 1800 buffaloes in Manipur is found in New Tusom and its surrounding villages.
In nature, water buffaloes are typically semi-wild.
Buffaloes are used for natural farming operations such as ploughing fields and milk production.
The buffaloes are mostly reared by the poor farmers and their production potentiality is low.
Eveiy year, the village suffers from an outbreak of mysterious sickness that kills about 90-120 water buffaloes.
As a result, the inhabitants in the affected regions are in a state of terror and helplessness, said the release.
The Buffalo Mela cum-Awareness Programme under the sponsorship of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, will strive to raise public awareness about the need of preserving traditional water buffaloes and traditional agricultural practices in Manipur, it said.