Mega Equine Health Camp at Baltal organized by SKUAST-K in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal

GNSONLINE GANDERBAL

SHAKIR BHAT

GANDERBAL JULY 28:–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal, SKUAST-Kashmir’s outreach program under the leadership of Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai Vice Chancellor and Guidance of Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension organized a mega Equine health camp at Baltal Sonmarg enroute to the Amarnath holy cave. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai was the Chief Guest and Director Extension, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi was the Guest of Honor. Baltal and Pahalgam have been the basic centers for undertaking Amarnath Yatra and the equine population of entire Jammu and Kashmir, UT is at forefront in carrying annual Amarnath Yatra to the logical conclusion because it is of the equines that the pilgrims reach to the cave barring those who cannot afford to travel by helicopters. The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and the theme of the programme was reaching out to all equines engaged in the Amarnath Yatra. The camp was established by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal wherein all diagnostic modalities like ultrasonography and portable surgical theatre was started at the Baltal Base Camp. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor inaugurated by undertaking the ultrasonography of an eye of an ailing horse. Speaking on the occasion Hon’ble Vice Chancellor said that such camps are of a pivotal importance as per the treatment of equine animals and their utility to the owners is concerned. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor interacted with a number of horse owners and sought the difficulties faced by them and suggested some remedial measures. On the occasion, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor witnessed the team of surgeons and physicians treating the cases and expressed his keen interest in treatment of animals and giving advices to the owners of the animal patients. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor advised on spot to give a detailed report of the cases coming for the camp so that the future strategy can be drawn how to prevent the further loss of animal life in the future.
The camp was led by Prof. Dil Mohmmad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K who himself performed through examination, onspot procedures and provided necessary prescriptions for various ailments. He also guided the ponywallas regarding the health and nutritional management of the horses and ponies necessary for logistics of the yatra. The team of experts include Scientist from Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shuhama and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal. Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi said that 12,000 horses have been registered over the period for Amarnath Yatra out of which 5,000 of the animals are enrooted to the Baltal and 7,000 are registered from the Pahalgam side. The beauty of the Yatra this time is that the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir has this time given a free insurance scheme of Rs 55,000 per horse to the owners.
The camp was attended by ponywallas who help devotees to trek 14 kms on the very narrow and treacherous tract from Baltal to holy cave. Some of the owners narrated to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor that during this Yatra period, the death of 80 horses has been reported and possibly they were because of the heat stroke in the initial phase of the Yatra and consequent upon the change of the weather and some other diseases that remain obscured. During the camp, 150 ponies and horses received free health check-up and treatment. The camp also covered treatment to more than 30 cattle and other livestock residing in the area. The common disease problems of horses recorded during the health camp were Saddle galls and Abscesses, Lameness, foot problems, ddigestive problems, worm infestations, malnutrition and debility. Besides the health check-ups and treatment, several essential veterinary medicines including mineral mixtures and vitamins, deworming medicines, liquid calcium supplements, liver stimulants, stomachic powder and wound healing ointments were distributed among the farmer free of cost
At the outset Dr Ishfaq Abidi, Sr. Scientist and Head KVK Ganderbal thanked the Chief Guest, team of experts from Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-K Shuhama, Ponnywallas and associated progressive farmers for making the camp successful. He requested the Ponnywallas and associated people to take maximum advantage of the experts and ensured that KVK will organise more such camp in future. Dr. Pervaiz Dar, Scientist, KVK Ganderbal coordinated the proceeding of the animal camp and thanked the team of experts for their painstaking efforts. Dr. Farooq Ahanger, Scientist, KVK Ganderbal also helped the in the smooth conduct of the camp. Officers from Animal Husbandry Department, Ganderbal, Virbac animal health Pvt ltd also participated in the camp.

The camp went on continuously till 05.00 pm in the evening and all the horse owners expressed thanks to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and to the University for the timely intervention of their ailing animals and giving them free medicines.