The challenges faced by the dying industry were discussed at an awareness camp organized by Block Veterinary Officer, Uri under the union government supported ‘Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases’ at Dachi-Salamabad about six kilometers from Uri township.

Participating in the interactive session the farmers pointed to the lack of ambulatory service in the area and urged the government to immediately provide for an ambulance to the Tehsil Veterinary unit so that the farmers are spared the avoidable losses in terms of livestock.

They also demanded launch of programmes that lead to replenishment of livestock in the area and ensuring availability of livestock feeds with subsidies. The farmers were told of the nitty gritties of Private Para vet scheme and the proposed Synchronisation of Estrus in livestock for upgradation.

The farmers of different villages where there are no veterinary centers were told to ask the educated unemployed youth from their villages to submit their applications for getting listed as candidates for Private Para vet scheme.

Earlier Drs Anwar Hussain Naagoo, Mehmood-ul-Hassan, M S Surma, Anoop Singh and F A Kaloo threw light on livestock management on scientific lines, importance of vaccination and de-worming, Backyard poultry production, Broiler Farming, breeding cattle for improving production and productivity and Zoonotic Diseases with special reference to Bird Flu. Dr M S Bhat CAHO Varmul presided over the function.

Dr Altaf Kangoo, BVO, Uri thanked the participants and said that many more such programmes will be organ ised in the backward area. On the occasion a large quantity of literature on animal husbandry practices and disease control was distributed among the participants besides mineral mixture for their cattle.

Given the challenges livestock development faced in the area the participants recommended that some urgent steps required to put it on rails.