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Re: India - Bird Flu in Poultry/Animals Feb 5th +
Culling may be tough in Mayurbhanj
Saturday February 9 2008 08:49 IST
<small>ENS</small>
<small>BHUBANESWAR: Though the High Court directive has brought some relief to the people and poultry, the proposed ‘culling’ of chicken within 5-km radius of West Bengal border in Mayurbhanj district seems to be an arduous task - realising the ‘attachment’ of the tribals with the indigenous breed of the ‘red fowl’ species and its ethno spiritual role.
Of course, out of 123 samples sent in two phases from the district to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, not a single sample was found positive and this proves that the ‘Mayurbhanj’ breed of fowl commonly called as ‘hansli’ variety by the tribals with a typical long neck and red feather coat is not affected by the deadly ‘H5N1’ influenza virus.
But the government had already deployed 15 teams headed by as many numbers of vaterinary assistant surgeons to execute the task ignoring the lab report and the ‘social angle’ of the whole issue, says tribal leader Sukhlal Hansda of Raikadjharan village adding even the offer price of the chicken irrespective of the ‘gender’ is a paltry Rs 40 while the ‘game birds’ used in cock-fights are sold at a price of Rs 1,000 - 2,000 and in some cases even some enthusiasts may quote more than that to the owner.
Poultry farming, especially with the local ‘hansli’ variety among the tribals is a source of livelihood. So without providing an alternate earning source if the culling is ever executed then there would be a stiff opposition and the State Government and the Centre would be responsible for that, Hansda said.
According to anthropologist A. Bose, even cocks are offered to tribal gods as food and the Santhals in particular while praying for their chief deity ‘Marang Buru’ offer only ‘hansli’ cocks. Even in the sal forests or near a tribal hamlet their temple or ‘jahira sthan’ is always seen with such offerings.
“Culling of the poultry would definitely affect the breed of this indigenous variety and its viability,” Bose added saying even the ecological web will be disrupted with killing all the fowls as they help in controlling pests and insects in and around habitations and crop fields.
The door-to-door survey in the particular area of Mayurbhanj has identified 83,782 birds from 152 villages of 18 gram panchayats, sources said.
But the surprising part of the whole controversy has also got some political colour as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists might take the opportunity and make an ‘issue’ to ‘fight’ against the ruling alliance in the coming Assembly polls.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems...ORISSA&Topic=0&</small>
Culling may be tough in Mayurbhanj
Saturday February 9 2008 08:49 IST
<small>ENS</small>
<small>BHUBANESWAR: Though the High Court directive has brought some relief to the people and poultry, the proposed ‘culling’ of chicken within 5-km radius of West Bengal border in Mayurbhanj district seems to be an arduous task - realising the ‘attachment’ of the tribals with the indigenous breed of the ‘red fowl’ species and its ethno spiritual role.
Of course, out of 123 samples sent in two phases from the district to the Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, not a single sample was found positive and this proves that the ‘Mayurbhanj’ breed of fowl commonly called as ‘hansli’ variety by the tribals with a typical long neck and red feather coat is not affected by the deadly ‘H5N1’ influenza virus.
But the government had already deployed 15 teams headed by as many numbers of vaterinary assistant surgeons to execute the task ignoring the lab report and the ‘social angle’ of the whole issue, says tribal leader Sukhlal Hansda of Raikadjharan village adding even the offer price of the chicken irrespective of the ‘gender’ is a paltry Rs 40 while the ‘game birds’ used in cock-fights are sold at a price of Rs 1,000 - 2,000 and in some cases even some enthusiasts may quote more than that to the owner.
Poultry farming, especially with the local ‘hansli’ variety among the tribals is a source of livelihood. So without providing an alternate earning source if the culling is ever executed then there would be a stiff opposition and the State Government and the Centre would be responsible for that, Hansda said.
According to anthropologist A. Bose, even cocks are offered to tribal gods as food and the Santhals in particular while praying for their chief deity ‘Marang Buru’ offer only ‘hansli’ cocks. Even in the sal forests or near a tribal hamlet their temple or ‘jahira sthan’ is always seen with such offerings.
“Culling of the poultry would definitely affect the breed of this indigenous variety and its viability,” Bose added saying even the ecological web will be disrupted with killing all the fowls as they help in controlling pests and insects in and around habitations and crop fields.
The door-to-door survey in the particular area of Mayurbhanj has identified 83,782 birds from 152 villages of 18 gram panchayats, sources said.
But the surprising part of the whole controversy has also got some political colour as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists might take the opportunity and make an ‘issue’ to ‘fight’ against the ruling alliance in the coming Assembly polls.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems...ORISSA&Topic=0&</small>
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