Srinagar, Oct 24: In view of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle in Kashmir, SKUAST-Kashmir has been at the forefront in dealing with the disease since it was witnessed in Kashmir with officials advising people to take active part in disease elimination.
Prof. Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K said that strategic tools for control and eradication of the disease are the first and foremost requisite.
He said SKUAST-K is already running an awareness campaign through all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Kashmir under the Back to Village program.
“We had already alerted people. Every KVK has a scientist and they are informing people about the disease and its precautions,” he said, adding that they are also training the field workers.
The Director Extension said new symptoms are emerging among the animals and according to KVK scientists suggest specialized treatment for the doctors and the medicines thereof.
“It has been seen that some animals have died even without the symptoms so people have to be very alert and stay informed and play their role in disease elimination,” he said.
Makhdoomi said the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, takes frequent weekly meetings and the task force of SKUAST-K has been working with the ACS.
“Where ever people come across any animal affected by the disease, people/farmers should come forward and take the precautionary measures issued from time to time from the varsity and other concerned departments,” he said.
“Whenever people from the Animal Husbandry come for field visits, the people should cooperate with them so that we can eliminate the disease and save the animals,” he said.
Makhdoomi also said that civil society and religious clerks should also play their role in awareness of people so that people do not face more losses.
“Earlier, we also held a number of meetings with the Animal Husbandry and other stakeholders for the control of the disease when there was no such case in Kashmir,” he said.
SKUAST-K has been implementing all the guidelines of the Government of India to contain the disease and encouraging people to restrict movement of animals, isolation of disease-affected animals and fogging in all the areas.
As per the fresh government figures, 49477 animals have been affected with Lumpy Skin Disease, of which 43040 have recovered, so far. Also, 868,000 doses have been administered to cattle across J&K.
