Complete livestock census by month-end: Punjab minister to officials

Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday directed officials to complete the ongoing 21st livestock census by the end of this month.

Emphasising the importance of impeccable data collection regarding the number of animals categorised by their breeds and other characteristics, he said this extensive field survey would highlight the current status of the livestock and setting the stage for future planning, besides helping in informed decision-making and fostering sustainable practices across the sector.

Khudian, along with Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers’ Commission Chairman Dr Sukhpal Singh, held a meeting with the Animal Husbandry Department officials to review the ongoing projects at Livestock Complex, Sector-68, SAS Nagar (Mohali).

He ordered the officials to initiate a mass immunisation drive against lumpy skin disease (LSD) from next week in the state. He informed that the state government had procured adequate doses of goat pox vaccine to inoculate all 25 lakh cattle to prevent this fatal disease.

Khudian also took stock of the status of the upcoming project of indoor services to be launched at six veterinary polyclinics in Patiala, Amritsar, Sri Mukatsar Sahib, Sangrur, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana. These polyclinics will offer a range of indoor services for pets and animals, including acute illness management, surgeries, post-operative care, lab tests, X-rays and ultrasound facilities.