Cattle dying of starvation at Amrut Mahal breeding centre

Animal Husbandry official attributes fodder shortage to fire mishap

A shortage of fodder and drinking water has claimed the lives of seven cattle at Amruth Mahal Kaval sub-breeding centre at Rayasandra, Nuggehalli, in the taluk.

The carcass of the animals were left to rot in the open leading to unbearable stench in the area. Locals fear that there is a possibility of an epidemic outbreak affecting the other cattle.

Joint Director of department of Animal Husbandry K V Halagappa told DH that the cattle from six centres were shifted to Rayasandra centre for breeding. “As nine out of 10 posts are vacant, maintenance has become difficult. The department has recruited five people for the centre. The shortage of fodder was due to the fire mishap that destroyed the haystack. The fodder and water shortage would be solved soon and the animal carcasses cleared,” he said.

The centre presently has only one contract worker and two locals attending to the animals. These workers complain that they have not received salaries for six months now.

 While seven cattle have died for want of fodder and water, most of the animals have been rendered weak. The carcass, left to rot on the premises, have been spreading stench and have become prey to vultures and crows who have been feeding on it.

Of the 380 cattle, 130 cows and calves were shifted for nurturing to Bidare Kaval in Arsikere taluk on Thursday. Now the centre has 250 cattle. The attender explained that he could not cremate the dead animals as he had to look after the entire herd.

Amruth Mahal Kaval was established on 1,524.34 acres of land at Rayasandra by the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore to develop ‘desi’ breed of cattle. A sub-breeding centre was sanctioned in the year 2014 but this has been neglected for some time now.

Amruth Mahal Kaval housed 380 cattle but no steps had been taken to supply fodder or drinking water. A tank was constructed to provide water for these cattle and around 70 bags (50 kg bag) of animal feed would be supplied once in 15 days but these have been insufficient.