Oxen die after consuming plastic at sanctuary in Nalagarh

bika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, November 7

About 70 oxen have died at the Handi Kundi-based cow sanctuary in Nalagarh since February this year due to the consumption of plastic, the use of which is banned in the state.

As much as five to 10 per cent mortality is being registered in this sanctuary every month owing to the consumption of waste material like plastic. The post-mortem examination of the dead oxen revealed they had consumed huge quantities of polythene bags, metallic wires, ropes and cotton material.

In one case, as much as 10 kg of polythene bag had infected the gastrointestinal tract of a seven-year-old oxen. The presence of such material cause cardiovascular failure, owing to ruminal impaction in an animal, informed veterinary officials.

“Contrary to reports of deaths due to the lack of fodder in the cow sanctuary, about 70 oxen deaths have been reported at the Handa Kundi-based cow sanctuary since February due to the consumption of waste material like plastic,” confirmed Nalagarh SDM Mahendra Pal, who also overlooks the upkeep of cow sanctuaries.

He added that there were 416 animals at this sanctuary, which had adequate stock of 260 quintals of fodder. There were 575 animals in this sanctuary when it had resumed operations and about six or seven deaths have been taking place every month.

Though the district was declared free of stray cattle a year ago, instances of stray cattle being seen roaming on roads are common. The state government extends Rs 500 per cattle per month to cow sanctuaries.

A majority of these animals have been dropped here either from other parts of the district or the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana owing to their proximity to the sanctuary. Animals brought here from the hills also face a climatic shock owing to the hot climatic conditions and this too aggravates the hardships of the animals, said officials. The increasing deaths have rung alarm bells among officials who rue that plastic continues to be used and strewn around callously by people.

“In a bid to maintain a strict check on the use of plastic, stringent measures like assigning field officials, including revenue officials, and keeping targets to challan such offenders will be introduced soon,” said the SDM.