Bilaspur, Aug 28 (PTI) Six cattle died at a panchayat-run shelter in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district over two days earlier this week, with the prima facie inquiry suggesting old age as the cause in a majority of cases, while waterlogging due to heavy rainfall was also observed during an inspection.
Locals have alleged inadequate arrangements and overcrowding at the Gaudham enclosure for cows in Okhar village under Masturi development block, where the deaths were reported on August 25 and 26.
As per the inquiry report, four of the six cattle died due to old age, while two fatalities occurred due to other reasons, a government statement said.
Waterlogging and damage to the ground surface due to heavy rainfall were also observed during the inspection, it said.
The report said the cattle were shifted to Gaudham on August 21, where around 300 cattle belonging to the Okhar gram panchayat are currently housed.
For the safety of the cattle, the district administration has directed that the animals be shifted to a safer location and taken out for grazing, with the consent of the Okhar gram panchayat sarpanch, it said, adding that the administration has been continuously monitoring the health and safety of the cattle.
On its part, the district administration has constituted an inquiry committee headed by Joint Director, Veterinary Services, Dr Gopal Sharan Singh.
The panel was formed after information was received about the deaths of 23 cattle at Gaudham, said Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal on Friday.
However, the veterinary department’s inquiry report submitted to the collector on Thursday found that six cattle had died at the shelter over two days, he said.
Agrawal said a team of veterinary doctors, led by Singh, inspected the Gaudham, conducted autopsies, and examined prevailing conditions at the shelter.
A detailed report has been submitted to the district administration, while further investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths is underway, Agrawal said, while denying reports that the shelter was housing two-and-a-half times more cattle than its capacity.
Under the Surabhi Gaudham scheme, the state government has sanctioned nine additional cow shelters in the Bilaspur district, Agrawal said.
Necessary directions have been issued to the concerned gram panchayats and Janpad Panchayat chief executive officers for the establishment of enclosures, he said, adding that the additional shelters would help ease problems related to the upkeep of cattle. PTI Cor TKP NSK
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