Qazigund, Dec 09 (KNO): Authorities on Tuesday said that nearly 3.5 crore poultry birds have reached Kashmir through road transportation this year, with an average of 50–60 vehicles carrying poultry and bovine livestock entering the Valley every day.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Mohammad Ashraf Dar, Livestock Officer (Liver Flu Control), Kashmir, said the Livestock Check-Post at Qazigund plays a crucial role in screening every consignment before it enters the Valley.
He said the check-post ensures that no poultry or bovine livestock is allowed to proceed without a detailed physical examination. “Our staff and doctors conduct inspections for any symptoms, diseases, or mortality. Only after ensuring everything is clear do we give the green signal,” he said.
Dar said that from April to date, around 3.50 crore poultry birds have entered Kashmir. “Out of these, 1.8 crore broilers and 1.1 crore day-old chicks have arrived. Additionally, around 4 lakh culled birds were transported into the Valley,” he said.
He said that under government schemes such as the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, around 13,000 bovine animals have also entered Kashmir this year.
Referring to the viral video showing poultry mortality, Dr Dar clarified that the deaths occurred due to a delay in receiving the consignment. “Dealers in Pulwama and Srinagar initially refused to accept the load, causing prolonged travel. This led to starvation, dehydration and cold stress,” he said, adding that a post-mortem conducted at the Qazigund Check-Post showed no signs of disease.
He said that dead birds are disposed of through the deep burial system. “We have now received an incinerator, but it awaits electricity connection. Within one or two months, it will become fully functional for scientific disposal,” Dr Dar said, urging the public not to panic as all consignments undergo thorough examination.
Meanwhile, Dr Tasneef, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and Incharge Livestock Check-Post Qazigund, told KNO that the unit operates round the clock to ensure safe livestock entry into the Valley.
He said post-mortems are conducted only in cases of suspected disease or high mortality. “In the recent case, we conducted a proper examination and found no indication of any infection. Dead poultry was immediately disposed of through deep burial,” he said.
He assured the people not to panic. "Every vehicle entering the Valley is strictly checked to ensure hygiene and safety before allowing it to move forward,” he said—(KNO)