KISHTWAR, Nov 5: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and Chenab Valley regional spokesperson Ajeet Bhagat has raised concerns over the deteriorating health of livestock in several villages of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts, urging the administration to initiate immediate vaccination drives and deploy specialised veterinary teams to prevent further losses.
Describing the situation as a serious threat to the livelihoods and economic stability of rural families, Bhagat said that reports received from different parts of the Chenab Valley indicated that a large number of livestock were suffering from infectious diseases, causing distress among farmers and livestock owners.
He observed that animal husbandry remains a major source of livelihood for a significant section of the population in the region, particularly poor farmers and herders who depend on livestock for their daily income and economic survival. Any unchecked spread of infectious diseases, he warned, could result in substantial financial losses for these families.
Expressing concern over the difficulties being faced by livestock owners, Bhagat said that the situation required immediate attention from the concerned departments and that the administration could not remain a silent spectator while rural families continued to suffer.
He urged the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments to launch comprehensive vaccination campaigns across all villages of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts, giving special attention to remote, mountainous and difficult-to-access areas. He also called for the deployment of veterinary doctors and specialised medical teams to provide timely treatment, conduct health assessments and ensure proper monitoring of affected animals.
Bhagat further appealed to the heads of the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments in Jammu Province and the Chenab Valley region to take serious note of the situation and coordinate immediate preventive measures.
He cautioned that any delay in taking precautionary steps could aggravate the crisis and called for accountability in implementing the necessary interventions. He emphasised that officials responsible for overseeing the response must ensure that vaccination and veterinary services reach the affected villages without delay.
Highlighting the wider implications of the crisis, Bhagat said that protecting livestock was directly linked to safeguarding the economic interests and welfare of rural communities. He stressed that timely intervention, effective disease surveillance and adequate veterinary facilities were essential to prevent further losses.
He appealed to the administration to treat the matter as a priority and take concrete steps to protect livestock across Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts before the situation escalates further.