Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 April 2024
The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services unit in Campbell Bay has been grappling with a significant challenge—operating without a functioning vehicle for an entire year.
Situated in Great Nicobar, the region boasts a substantial population of livestock farmers, comprising both tribal and local residents who rely on animal husbandry and poultry rearing to bolster their income streams.
Given the vital role of livestock and poultry farming in the economic fabric of Great Nicobar’s residents, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services plays a crucial role in their lives.
The department’s staff is tasked with traversing the inhabited areas of Great Nicobar to tend to the livestock and poultry needs of the farmers. However, their efforts have been severely hampered by the absence of a functioning vehicle.
Currently, the department’s sole available vehicle has been out of commission for approximately a year, leaving staff members with no choice but to utilise STS buses for their travel needs, incurring personal expenses in the process.
This predicament has resulted in significant delays in responding to farmers’ requests, impacting the timely care of livestock and poultry.
While other departments in remote islands often hire vehicles when necessary, it’s been revealed that the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services unit at Campbell Bay hasn’t been allocated funds to hire a substitute vehicle.
The neglect of this sector, which substantially contributes to farmers’ incomes, is deemed irresponsible by many stakeholders.
In light of these challenges, senior officers of the A & N Administration are urged to prioritise the provision of a functioning vehicle to the local Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services unit at Campbell Bay, ensuring seamless operations and alleviating the burdens faced by farmers in the region.