Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.kashmirobserver.com/inde...-horses-1200-ill&catid=50:localnews&Itemid=81
Outbreak Hits Gulmarg Horses, 1200 Ill
Srinagar, July 08, KONS: An equine outbreak has afflicted a large number of horses in the tourist resort of Gulmarg, causing alarm among ponywallahs who depend on them for a livelihood.
Outraged at the indifference of the Animal Husbandry Department, the ponywallahs staged angry demonstrations today.
The disease began striking horses in different areas of Gulmarg some two weeks ago and took on a serious dimension within no time, reports said.
The illness deprived tourists of their mandatory ride across the famed meadow, and they are being compelled to tour the mountain retreat on foot.
The president of the Gulmarg Mazdoor Union, Abdul Rasheed Bhat, said that nearly 1200 horses had been struck by cough, dysentery and pneumonia over the past 10 days while a large number of horses were afflicted by ?scab.?
The horses are foaming at the mouth and they are unable to walk because of weakened limbs.
Bhat said that the Animal Husbandry Department had been informed verbally as well as in writing, but it had taken no steps to control the outbreak, nor had any team of doctors been dispatched to the area.
Nearly a thousand ponywallahs staged angry protests today demanding that the department take a serious note of the situation to save the horses and the livelihoods of the labourers.
Outbreak Hits Gulmarg Horses, 1200 Ill
Srinagar, July 08, KONS: An equine outbreak has afflicted a large number of horses in the tourist resort of Gulmarg, causing alarm among ponywallahs who depend on them for a livelihood.
Outraged at the indifference of the Animal Husbandry Department, the ponywallahs staged angry demonstrations today.
The disease began striking horses in different areas of Gulmarg some two weeks ago and took on a serious dimension within no time, reports said.
The illness deprived tourists of their mandatory ride across the famed meadow, and they are being compelled to tour the mountain retreat on foot.
The president of the Gulmarg Mazdoor Union, Abdul Rasheed Bhat, said that nearly 1200 horses had been struck by cough, dysentery and pneumonia over the past 10 days while a large number of horses were afflicted by ?scab.?
The horses are foaming at the mouth and they are unable to walk because of weakened limbs.
Bhat said that the Animal Husbandry Department had been informed verbally as well as in writing, but it had taken no steps to control the outbreak, nor had any team of doctors been dispatched to the area.
Nearly a thousand ponywallahs staged angry protests today demanding that the department take a serious note of the situation to save the horses and the livelihoods of the labourers.