3000 additional bags of fodder being sent to Bannu for IDPs livestock: Dr Jehangir

PESHAWRR: Director Livestock and Animals Husbandry Services, Dr Jehangir Khan said here Wednesday that 3000 additional bags of fodder, grass and 'Wanda' (feed) are being sent to Bannu to fulfil the needs of domestic cattle and livestock of dislocated people of North Waziristan Agency.

Talking to APP, he said 3000 fodder and 'wanda' bags have been purchased from Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), DI Khan and are being dispatched to Bannu for animals of IDPs, adding 750 fodder bags have already been distributed among them.

Dr Jehangir said Rs. 15 million was immediately required for purchase of 10 trucks of 'Bhosa (grass), wanda (feed), 2000 bags of extra fodder from VRI DI Khan and purchase of medicines for future treatment and vaccination of cattle and domestic animals that were accommodated in large number at Frontier Region Bannu and adjoining areas for better grazing facilities.

He said approximately 1.5million livestock was brought by the dislocated people of North Waziristan to Bannu, include 3, 50,000 sheep, 400,000 goats, 1,70,000 cattle including horses, oxen, cow etc.

Following arrival of such large number of animals to Bannu, he said, first priority was given by the Federal Govt to vaccination, treatment and provision of fodder to the cattle. Later, animals shelters were constructed and water facilities were provided to camps.

He said animals' shelters were also provided to dislocated people at FR Bannu to protect their cattle from scorching heat.

He said sufficient fodder was provided to all those IDPs, who have migrated from North Waziristan along with their cattle.

A team of five specialist doctors and veterinary staff was dispatched to Bannu for vaccination and treatment services to animals, adding about 140 members technical staff of North Waziristan Agency's Livestock Department also assist their needy brothers

Dr Jehangir said situation in Bannu, DI Khan, Karak, Lakki Marwat and FR Bannu was under our control and no report of viral and seasonal diseases' outbreak was reported from anywhere.

The mobile teams comprising doctors and technical staff are paying regular visits to animals' camps and examine health of livestock besides providing medical and vaccination services.

The extensive assistance of Punjab and KP Govts for provision of food packages for IDPs cattle would be highly welcomed. Dr Jehangir Khan highly appreciated the extended cooperation of army for extended assistance to IDPs livestock.

He said this was a time that we should provide all out help to our needy brothers of North Waziristan Agency and facilitate them. He reaffirmed that his department would work day and night till complete rehabilitation of IDPs.