2.77 lakh cattle, 15,348 pet dogs in Moga: Census

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, September 16

The Animal Husbandry Department has concluded the 20th Livestock Census in Moga district, which was conducted digitally using tablets/computers for the first time. The census was held following the directions of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

The census, which was concluded in about three months, has found 2,77,060 large animals, including cattle and buffalo, 15,348 pet dogs and 18,377 goats and sheep, in the district.

Giving the details, Gurmeet Singh, Deputy Director of the department, said this was for the first time that the Livestock Census was conducted digitally.

He said the final report had been sent to the Government of India for approval.

According to information, a team of 45 enumerators concluded the census by gathering data after visiting each household and recording the number, species and breeds of animals.

Each enumerator covered at least 4,500 houses in rural areas while an enumerator deployed in urban area covered 6,000 houses in a stipulated time period. There were 1.93 lakh houses in 323 villages and six urban areas, including Moga, Nihal Singh Wala, Baghapurana, Dharamkot, Badhni Kalan and Kot-ise -Khan.

Gurmeet Singh said besides deploying enumerators, the department had also deputed 22 supervisors and two scrutinising officers who conducted physical checking in the field to ensure that the census was being conducted properly.