Nomadic shepherds in Chamba moving smoothly

Shimla: The seasonal migration of sheep breeders is going on smoothly in district Chamba and the department has set up five transit camps at Thulel, Khargat, Lahru, Berangal and Koti for providing veterinary aid and other logistics and so far 280 flocks that have entered the Chamba district have been covered, a top official said today.

Migration of the Gujjar community along with their livestock into Chamba has not started till date. In the present lockdown situation, veterinary institutions are providing regular veterinary services and the veterinary dispensaries are providing emergency services on call basis, the official claimed.

From tomorrow veterinary dispensaries will also be opened and sufficient stock of veterinary medicines and vaccines is available with the department, the government spokesman said.

The nomads have been given priority as per the directions of the Chief Minister and free movement of livestock has been allowed. The state government has already directed to provide all logistic help besides rations to the migratory sheep and animal breeders like Gaddis and Gujjars among others.

The state government has already contacted 500 migrant livestock and distributed 150 ration kits through local administrations in the district of Sirmour, Solan, Shimla, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra.

The H.P. Milk Federation and Kamdhenu Hitkari Manch, Namhol in district Bilaspur are processing milk regularly. Daily procurement of milk by the federation has increased to 80,000 litres per day from the earlier procurement of 65,000 litres . Permits are being issued for transporting fodder from the neighbouring districts and since start of lockdown period approximately 35,000 quintal dry fodder has been received.

The Gujjar community has not yet started migrating in Chamba district. As far as marketing of milk of Gujjar community is concerned, 28 Gram Panchayats where Gujjars are based are currently Coronavirus hotspots and therefore the sale of milk is affected.

The people in these areas have been advised to prepare products like ghee, cheese from surplus milk.