Equine Influenza Leaves Uttranchal |
| It seems Equine Influenza is about to fade out soon from Uttranchal. No recent casualty of any mule and horse has brought cheers on the faces of the master or owners of the animals. However, the Animal Husbandry Department is still on alert to check out the possibility of spreading out of the deadly disease again. In this connection, Commissioner of Garhwal Mandal had earlier issued orders regarding blocking inter-district and inter-state movement of horses and mules. Meanwhile, Kedarnath yatra, which was halted due to the communicable disease, has been resumed. The Kedarnath Samithi had called a bandh as the local residents had alleged neglect of region. Their demand is to construct a road from Gaurikund to Kedarnath - this is the trek route for the pilgrims whom the horses/mules carry through. The outbreak of equine influenza had made a severe impact on the lives of locals as the horses and mules are the main source of their earning. "We have no other option but to continue agitation for our demand as horses and mules are just like God for us," a local resident told me. "They not only carry the pilgrims to Kedranath but also carry our lives. We have already lost so much ever since the deadly flu made its presence in the hills,” he said. "We are now not in position to bear the brunt of the disease anymore and the state should really pay attention to our demand of constructing a road from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. Then we certainly would be able to breathe freely," he added. To stop the spread of equine influenza, the Animal Husbandry Department had to work round the clock. The Uttarakhand government even had to impose a ban on the movement of horses and mules in the state. Even, the international boundary with Nepal was closed. Finally, the Animal Husbandry Department has managed to control the disease, but it took enormous efforts. |
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