In a unexpected turn of events, a convoy of 100 pigs, originating from outside Tripura entered the State on Thursday boarding on the Tripura Sundari Express, which had departed from Delhi.
This unauthorized entry of pigs has sent shockwaves, primarily due to the grave risk it poses to the local pig farming industry.
Tripura government has long maintained stringent regulations that prohibit the entry of pigs from other states, with the primary objective of preventing the transmission of diseases prevalent in pig populations of different States.
Dr. Radheshyam Das, the Deputy Director of the Animal Resource Development Department (ARDD), wasted no time in taking action when was alerted to the situation.
He promptly reached out to administrative officials and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to address this alarming breach.
However, due to timing constraints and a failure to apprehend the unauthorized pigs, the shipment proceeded unhindered to Agartala, further intensifying the threat to the state’s pig farming industry.
Upon their arrival in Agartala, it is imperative that administration take prompt action to quarantine these pigs without any delay.
It is also necessary that legal measures be imposed against the individual responsible for this unauthorized entry, as the consequences could be dire.
The breach of state regulations has plunged pig farmers into a state of deep anxiety. This is especially true for those who have previously relied on government loans to sustain their operations.
According to a pig farmer, the specter of a potential disease outbreak on our farms looms large, if the pigs are not quarantined immediately. If diseases transmit to local.pigs, it will cast doubt on their livelihoods and our ability to repay the loans.
State officials are scrambling to assess the situation and implement measures to contain the potential risk to local pig farming, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that this crucial industry faces.
The pig farming is a common livelihood option for many people owing it’s large scale demand. However, the threat of disease spread the farmers often face and incur losses.
To minimise the disease threats, the Tripura government imposed ban on importing pigs. However, 100-pig consignment has caused the farmers to panic. Eyes are now focused on concerned authorities to address the issue in a pragmatic manner.