MC staff arrests goats for eating saplings planted during afforestation drive

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, July 26

Sometimes facts are stranger than fiction and actions make them intriguing too. On the direction of the municipal commissioner, the lower staff has taken 15 goats into custody for eating the sapling planted in on the road divider.

Besides being confined, each goat has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 3,000 each.

The incident took place at Yellandu town in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana where the municipal staff responded to the direction of Municipal Commissioner Srinivas Reddy who recently witnessed the goats damaging the saplings, planted as part of the sixth phase Haritha Haram (plantation drive) that aims to increase the green cover in the state to 33 per cent.  

During the sixth phase of Haritha Haram, the state aims at planting 30 crore saplings in various parts of the state and includes the forest revival programme.  

On the directions of the municipal commissioner, the concerned staff detained nine goats on Thursday and Friday and another six on Saturday.

All fifteen have been confined at the municipality office, which is now providing them with the feed and water as the owners of the goats have not shown up, possible apprehending reprimand.

Municipal authorities have sent out many WhatsApp messages asking the owners to come to the municipal office and get the goats released by Monday after paying penalty under the provisions of Municipality Act, 2019. Messages have been sent out saying in case the goat owners fail to turn up, the animals would be auctioned on Monday.

Telangana state records one of the highest numbers of goat and sheep population in the country after the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government distributed free goats and animals to farmers as part of their support system after coming to power.

There are about 1.74 crore sheep and goat in the 31 districts of Telangana which in certain districts comes to about 1200-1500 sheep and goat for every 1000 people.