Fund crunch hits Nalagarh cow sanctuary working

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 19

The absence of adequate funds to feed animals at the Handa Kundi cow sanctuary in Nalagarh has deprived bulls of quality fodder.

A senior veterinary officer had expressed concern over the prevailing situation where the absence of quality dry and green feed can cause progressive ketonemia. He says that if left unaddressed, the situation will result in high mortality of animals.

The CM had inaugurated the sanctuary on February 28. It houses 500 abandoned animals, a sizeable number of them is massive bulls weighing 450 kg to 550 kg.

“Since these animals have recently been shifted to the sanctuary, they suffer from internal injuries, aspirational pneumonia and internal crushing injuries,” says the veterinary officer.

Such sanctuaries were opened with much fanfare to provide shelter to cows and other deserted animals, but the lack of adequate funds is hindering their smooth functioning. The management of the cow sanctuary is being looked after on an ad hoc basis. A veterinary officer pays a visit twice a week and a pharmacist is deputed for an hour everyday.

Officials say that this is not enough given the high number of animals housed here. Though a provisional society has been constituted to look after the sanctuary, it will soon fall short of funds unless some provision is made at the earliest.

About Rs 8 lakh will be required to deal with the current problem and provide dry and green fodder, concentrate feed and deworming treatment at least once in six months to all animals, according to an estimate sent to senior officials and the local administration by a senior veterinary officer.

Besides funds for medicines, deworming and iodised salts to keep the animals in good health, a full-time official or pharmacist is required to look after the sanctuary.

Was inaugurated in Nalagarh on Feb 28

• The CM had inaugurated the Nalagarh cow sanctuary on Feb 28. It houses about 500 abandoned animals.
• Such sanctuaries were opened amid much fanfare to provide shelter to cows and other deserted animals, but the lack of funds is hindering their smooth functioning.