Footrot disease is causing severe losses to the sheep and goats of the Gaddi shepherds in Himachal Pradesh. The shepherds have reported losing around 20% of their livestock, leading to heavy financial losses.
Disease Impact on Gaddi Shepherds
The disease has affected Gaddi shepherds’ flocks for several years, but no solution has been found. Bhadar Singh, a shepherd from Jhanjharda Nachher village in Kangra district, stated that he lost about 50% of his flock this year alone due to footrot. Despite efforts from veterinary doctors, the animals could not be saved. Many other shepherds across the state have faced similar losses.
Disease Cause and Spread
According to Prof. Subhash Verma, from the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, footrot disease is caused by a combination of bacterial strains in sheep and goats. The infected animals lose their hoofs, rendering them unable to walk. Shepherds are forced to either sell these animals in distress or cull them.
Initially, the disease was limited to Jammu and Kashmir but has since spread to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and various southern states of India.
Lack of Treatment and Research
Currently, there is no standardized treatment for footrot. A proposal worth Rs 70 lakh, submitted by scientists from the Palampur agriculture university to develop a vaccine, has been pending approval for four years. The Central Government has approved a separate research project to identify the bacterial strains causing the disease, involving scientists from Palampur, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala, but funding for the project has not yet been received.
Call for Government Action
Akshay Jasrotia, president of Ghumatu Pashu Sabha, has called for government intervention to provide antibiotics or develop a vaccine to combat the disease, urging the Congress-led government to help the shepherds.
Government Response
Chander Kumar, the state’s Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, stated that he was not informed about the outbreak by the officials of the Animal Husbandry Department. He promised to discuss the matter with relevant authorities and offer assistance to the affected shepherds.
Unapproved Vaccine Proposal
A Rs 70 lakh proposal from Palampur agriculture university scientists for the development of a footrot vaccine remains unapproved by the state government. Meanwhile, research to identify the bacterial strains involved in the disease has been greenlighted by the Central Government but awaits funding.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What percentage of their flock have Gaddi shepherds reportedly lost due to footrot disease?
a) 10%
b) 20%
c) 30%
d) 50%
Answer: b) 20% - Which village’s shepherd reported losing 50% of his sheep to footrot disease?
a) Shimla
b) Dharamshala
c) Jhanjharda Nachher
d) Manali
Answer: c) Jhanjharda Nachher - What causes the footrot disease in sheep and goats, according to Prof. Subhash Verma?
a) Viral infection
b) A cocktail of bacteria
c) Fungal infection
d) Parasites
Answer: b) A cocktail of bacteria - Which university submitted a proposal to develop a vaccine for footrot disease?
a) University of Rajasthan
b) CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur
c) University of Kerala
d) University of Jammu and Kashmir
Answer: b) CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur - How much is the proposal for the development of the vaccine for footrot disease worth?
a) Rs 50 lakh
b) Rs 70 lakh
c) Rs 100 lakh
d) Rs 1 crore
Answer: b) Rs 70 lakh