By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th January 2025: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has claimed the lives of 126 cattle in Tripura over the past three years, according to Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhangshu Das. This information was revealed in a written response to a query by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury during the winter session of the Assembly on Friday.
Minister Das stated, “The average number of cattle deaths due to Lumpy Skin Disease in 2022, 2023, and 2024 has been 126 so far. No comprehensive study has been conducted by the government on the health damage to cows due to LSD in the state. However, there has been a significant loss in milk production of the diseased cows, as the disease course lasts for at least 7 to 10 days.”
In response to a question from Chaudhury, Minister Das mentioned that the government has compensated farmers who lost their cattle due to LSD. “The total number of beneficiaries is 187, and the total expenditure is Rs. 10,12,000/-,” he said.
Minister Das also highlighted the presence of three animal shelters, or gaushalas, in the state for the care of abandoned cows and other cattle. These shelters are managed by the NGO Baba Gorakhnath Gaushala and Dhyan Foundation. “Currently, there are 800 cattle in Devipur Gaushala in Bishalgarh, 850 in Muhuripur Gaushala in Santirbazar, and 51 cattle in Baba Gorakhnath Gaushala in Dharmanagar,” he added.
He further stated, “State government funds are used to run these animal shelters, providing assistance in the form of medicines, vaccinations, treatment, etc. However, no money has been allocated till December 2024-25. There are plans to set up such animal shelters in all districts of the state in the coming days and expand modern facilities.”
