Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Sept 16: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retired) held a meeting with concerned stakeholders/goat herders from Nyoma and Durbuk sub-divisions at Raj Niwas to discuss the prototype of Pashmina kid pen.
Secretary, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Ravinder Kumar, informed the LG that the prototype design, based on the modifications made to the traditional nomadic kid enclosure to make it more durable to help it withstand attacks from wild animals and to trap heat from the sun to prevent mortality of Pashmina kids in the winter months, is a three-feet tall structure with three different compartments.
The villagers/elected representatives and goat herders from Nyoma and Durbuk sub-divisions raised several issues, viz. instances of malnutrition among goats and the need to arrange fodder/pasture for the goats for the winter months, the need to provide vaccination to the goats, the premature birth of Pashmina kids, need to provide tags to the newborn pashmina kids for their proper identification, installation of mobile towers to improve telecommunication connectivity in Changthang area, etc.
Director, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Dr Mohammad Iqbal, informed the the LG that shortage of milk/feed along with hypothermia were the two main reasons for the mortality of Pashmina kids in the winter months. He also informed that necessary steps have been taken and pasture/fodder and milk replacer/supplements will be provided to reduce their mortality rate in the winter months.
Praising the people of Durbuk/Nyoma sub-divisions for their patriotism and for being ideal citizens of Ladakh, the LG gave the slogan of Memna Bachao, Memna Badhao (Save Lambs, Promote Lambs). He asked the goat herders for their feedback/suggestions on the pashmina kid pen prototype based on their experience and expertise. He instructed the concerned officials to provide tags to newborn pashmina goat kids.
The LG stated that a policy needs to be framed before putting restrictions on the import of meat from states outside Ladakh. He also assured to look into the issue of improving telecommunication facilities in remote areas and take up the matter with the concerned Ministry.
Advisor to LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; Councillor, Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang; Councillor, Kumgyam, Thinles Nurboo; Secretary to LG, Ravinder Kumar; elected representatives and goat herders from Durbuk/ Nyoma sub-divisions along with concerned Government officials were present in the meeting.
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