Even
as the government has been maintaining that there is no shortage of
drinking water and fodder for cattle, the distress sale of cattle and
its handover to Pinjarapole has increased in chief minister's home
district even in the beginning of the summer.
The
Mysore Pinjarapole Society which provides shelter to stray and
discarded cattle has received a huge number cattle from last two
months, a majority of them from different parts of Mysuru district.
Even incidents of cattle being rescued on its way to slaughter houses
is on the rise, which clearly indicates the distress sale.
Farmers
are finding difficult to take care of the cattle as grazing lands are
going barren and water holes are getting dried up forcing farmes to
give up their injured, sick and unproductive cattle. Pinjarapole
sources said middlemen are making a killing as they get cattle for
less price and which they sell it to slaughter houses.
According
to Papanna, a farmer from Subanahalli near Mysuru: 'An average of
30-40 liters of water is required every day for cattle. With summer,
and water woes at high extent farmers are selling cattle at
Boresanthe near Berya, Nanjangud, Darga, Hunsur, Chunchankatte. It
has become very hard to look after the cattles, which force farmers
to sell the cattle for less price. The statements of officers has
remained only on papers. We are even struggling hard to get water
for drinking.'
'Following
drought, there is no cultivation and there is acute shortage of
fodder, which is forcing farmers to sell cattle. Earlier farmers used
to care the cattle till they die. But now sick, unproductive, aged of
all aged cattle are being brought to the society with unabale to
provide adequate fodder and water,' said Somashekar farmer of
Nanjangud.
Prasad
Murthy, deputy director of department of animal husbandary said that
there is no fodder scarcity in district and can be managed for three
more months. Large number of cows housed at Pinjarapole are seized at
highways which might be from other districts.
The
Mysore Pinjarapole Society receives on an average 4-5 cattles every
day. In Januaray as many as 189 cattle were rescued and housed at
Pinjarapole Society, while it was 143 in February, 71 in March and it
is 158 till April 10. The society has received 109 cows last month
from farmers and few from mutts, which was 35 in February and 58 in
January. Most of the cattle are received from Mysore, Mandya,
Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Coorg.
Short
of fodder
The
drought this year has not only hit farmers hard, even the Mysore
Pinjarapole Society is running short of fodder and water to feed the
housed cattles under its care. The society has sheltered 3540
destitute cattle. Presently fodder is being supplied from T
Narasipur, Nanjangud, KR Naga and Mandya. The society has deputed 25
volunteers to collect fodders from wherever possible while the
contractor has also been instructed to ensure adequate supply and are
running the show.
The
rates of the fodder which was hitherto Rs 4 per kg has gone up to Rs
7 per kg since December. The society collecting more donation from
donors and philanthropists is feeding the animals. The condition at
Pinjarapole Center at Udbur in HD Kote which houses about 400 cattles
is also not better.
Society
President Devichand said: 'There is shortage of fodder, whereas we
are managing engaging more people to collect fodder from other
villages. To lessen the dependence on borewells we are holding talks
with the officials of Mysore City Corporation seeking water
supply
for the society.'
Around
Rs 2 lakh is needed for maintenance every day. On an average around 6
loads (approximately 24,000 kg) of fodder is needed every day to feed
the cattles and four tankers of water. The society has also housed
rescued goats (30), horse (7) and pigeons.
-----------------------
Highlights
*
An average of 30-40 liters of water is required every day for cattle
*
Farmers selling cattle in fairs without fodder and sufficient water
*
Incidents of cattle being rescued on its way to slaughter houses is
on the rise, which clearly indicates the distress sale.
*
The statements of officers has remained only on papers.
*
Seized cattles sheltered at Pinjarapole since November is 791; while
received from farmers is 483, and 40 from mutts and others.
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