Mumbai: Unvaccinated cows spread panic in Aarey

Cows from nearby areas found grazing inside Aarey

Even though the BMC and animal husbandry departments claimed to have vaccinated thousands of bovines in Mumbai in the wake of the spread of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), Aarey locals claim many cows on the outskirts are unvaccinated. They fear spread of the disease among their cattle, as many from the outskirts stray inside Aarey for grazing.

According to the data shared by the animal husbandry department, 3,206 out of 3,226 cattle in Mumbai have been vaccinated as of Thursday. This leaves only
20 unvaccinated cattle, as per the official data.

However, several cows were found to be unvaccinated on the outskirts of Aarey, where mid-day paid a visit on Friday afternoon. Several cattle owners from Durga Nagar leave their cows to graze inside Aarey. Gabbar Yadav, one of the owners, told this paper that all his 12 cows that were grazing inside Aarey were unvaccinated.

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"Nobody from the BMC or other government officials approached us about the vaccination. However, I took the initiative and contacted them. But, I am still waiting for them to respond to my request. Nobody has turned up yet. There are hundreds of cows in the area, like mine, that are yet to be vaccinated," Gabbar told mid-day.

Another cattle owner Ram Dular Yadav said, "I have heard about the disease, but didn't know that it had reached the neighbourhood. My cows are not vaccinated yet."

"I'm ready to pay, if they can vaccinate my cows and help us," Ram said.

Fear of spread

Aarey residents and owners of cattle farms and cowshed are concerned that unvaccinated cows may infect other livestock while straying inside Aarey.

An Aarey resident and owner of a licensed cowshed said, "These cattle are unregistered. We don't have a problem with that, but they are unvaccinated and left unchecked for grazing in and around Aarey. There are high chances they will spread the disease to other livestock if they are infected with LSDV. If we raise the issue, it will create a conflict. It is the responsibility of the BMC to vaccinate the bovines."

Meanwhile, another LSDV case was detected in a cow at a temple opposite Khar railway station on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in Mumbai to three.

Unlicensed cowsheds

A senior official of the animal husbandry department told mid-day, "Durga Nagar doesn't come under Aarey; it comes under the jurisdiction of the BMC and these cattle farms/cow sheds are unlicensed. But they have been in the profession for the past several years."

Dr Shailesh Pethe, deputy commissioner of Animal Husbandry Department, Mumbai, said, "We have vaccinated 99.38 per cent of the bovines in the Mumbai jurisdiction. In Aarey, we have vaccinated 1,028 bovines. There is no need to panic. The spread is limited to cow-class. The life of every cattle is important, so we have vaccinated around 30 cow-class strays in Aarey's vicinity."

Despite repeated attempts, Kalim Pasha Pathan, general manager of Deonar Abattoir, did not respond.

Call for vaccination

As per the BMC, if someone wants to get their cattle vaccinated they can call on 02225563284 or 02225563285