Srinagar, Oct 01: The Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir has been making efforts to boost employment opportunities for the people by distributing 3,056 sheep units across the valley in the past three years.
As per data obtained by Rising Kashmir, 515 sheep units were distributed in the Kashmir Valley during 2020-2021, followed by 1,153 units in 2021-2022 and 1,388 units in 2022-2023.
The data also reveals that the population of sheep and goats in the region during 2020-2021 was recorded at 21.62 lakhs, with the highest population in Baramulla (3.53 lakh) and Kupwara (2.86 lakh) districts. The lowest population was reported in Srinagar (66,000).
However, during 2021-2022, the population slightly decreased to 21.56 lakh, with Baramulla still having the highest population (3.55 lakh) and Srinagar’s population increasing to 67,000.
The year 2022-2023 witnessed a surge in the population of sheep and goats, recording a total of 21.94 lakh in the region. All ten districts of the valley registered an increase in population, with Baramulla (3.61 lakh), Kupwara (2.92 lakh), Anantnag (2.76 Lakh), and Srinagar (68,000) having the highest numbers.
An official from the Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir said their commitment to distribute sheep units in every district of the valley to provide a stable means of livelihood for the people.
He said the department offers vaccinations, medical checkups, and awareness programmes to help improve the community’s overall awareness of sheep and goat farming in the Kashmir Valley.
