Chandigarh, September 21:
In a swift and effective response to protect Punjab’s agrarian economy from the floods aftermath, the Punjab Government has successfully immunised over 1.75 lakh livestock against Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) disease within a remarkably short span of just one week. The targeted inoculation drive, covering 713 villages across flood-affected districts, has helped avert a potential animal health crisis, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab.
Elaborating on the mass inoculation drive, S. Khudian revealed that the campaign, launched on September 14, is a crucial component of the state’s flood rehabilitation action plan, being implemented to safeguard the primary asset and livelihood of thousands of affected farmers by protecting their livestock from potential health crisis.
Directing the department officials and field staff to complete the inoculation drive by the end of this month, the Animal Husbandry Minister stated, “This critical immunisation drive is a protective shield for the livestock, which are the backbone of Punjab’s agrarian economy. Protecting the livestock is equivalent to securing the financial future of thousands of families affected by the recent floods.” Notably, the districts covered under this critical initiative include Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Moga, Pathankot, Rupnagar and Tarn Taran.
Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh led Punjab Government’s multi-pronged animal relief action plan has made significant stride, with over 1,300 special camps set up in 713 flood-hit villages, delivering medical treatment to over 2.52 lakh animals, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian.
Underlining the proactive steps being taken to support livestock nutrition and health, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry department Mr. Rahul Bhandari informed that Uromin Licks have been distributed in 428 villages and Mineral Mixture in 388 villages so far to strengthen livestock immunity. Additionally, KMnO4 crystals have also been distributing the affected villages as a preventive measure to safeguard animal health.
Animal Husbandry department’s large-scale, door-to-door campaign was made possible by mobilising hundreds of veterinarians and field staff. Their relentless efforts ensured that help reached even the most remote, flood-affected areas, added Mr. Bhandari.
