Hundreds of cows and goats have been dying for the last six months in Subansiri Chapori of Lakhimpur district of diseases unknown to the local herders.
The river islands of Subansiri has a large number cattle farms, locally known as khuti, where thousands of buffaloes, cows and goats are kept by herders for dairy and livestock business. But in the last six months, these animals are dying resulting in huge losses caused to the traditional cattle herders in this riverine area.
The herders have informed that their animals are dying after grazing on the grass which remain submerged during the monsoon season following the receding of water level.
“This phenomenon has been observed in the last three years and this time the number of casualties is much higher,” said the cattle herders.
The worst hit river island this time is Subansiri Chapori where hundreds of cows and goats have died so far in the last few days.
“Many goats have been found with infected faces which are very unusual,” said a local herder.
The affected cattle herders of Subansiri Chapori have asked the authorities concerned to investigate the causes of this unknown disease and the quality of the river water for the security of their diary and livestock business.