People seem to be under spell of unabated troubles, at least in far flung villages in Tripura. Reported prevalence of epidemic among animals amidst Corona scare has made the situation worse for several hapless people.
While people are already reeling under Covid19 pandemic threat, reported epidemic among domestic animals have raised concern among the farming community. Death of several domestic animals has been reported in remote villages of Longtharai and Unakoti districts.
“Prevalence of epidemic among the domestic animals was noticed a fortnight ago. So far, 15 cattle as well as several pigs and goats have died so far”, sources said and added, at the time of distress due to Covid19, deaths of domestic animals have put extra stress on families of remote villages.
Even as the epidemic is spreading, the Animal Resource Development Department (ARDD) officials are reportedly unaware and unmoved.
Labanchhara, Malkhakuya, Karatichhara and several areas under Fatikchhera are the worst affected villages.
“In few cases, villagers bring the animals to Veterinary centers – but in most of the cases, it is impossible due to remoteness of the villages’, said locals of Labanchhera.
Affected villagers also allege that most of the veterinary centers lack adequate infrastructures and medicines for treatment of diseased animals.
Locals informed media that ARDD conducted immunization drive for domestic animals in some places – despite this drive, why immunized animals are dying, asked affected farmers.
When contacted, ARDD officials said that even as immunization drive had been conducted – many villagers did not immunized their animals.
Further explaining reasons behind animals’ death, ARDD officials did not rule out prevalence of certain diseases among the animals.
“Whatever be the reason, our animals are dying regularly. We, the financially weak families, are already under huge distress due to Covid19 restrictions and deaths of animals have further complicated the situation”, Rabidhan Chandra Tripura said and added, with are pinning hope on the incumbent government and expecting that steps will be taken for visits by veterinary teams in the affected areas soon.
