Take a stroll through Asia’s largest cattle ‘pool’

Buzzing of flies, blaring of horns and mooing of cows resonates in the air at Sohrab Goth cattle market

KARACHI: Instead of playing cricket or enjoying a halwa puri breakfast early Sunday morning, Muhammad Hamza and his friends choose to visit the cattle market being set up in Sohrab Goth.

The intermittent showers from Friday have already turned the entire market into a pool of muddy water and sludge. The rainwater has not only dampened the soil but the excitement of the cow sellers. Hamza, along with dozens of his friends on motorcycles, reaches the cattle market from North Karachi. As expected, they are welcomed by the putrid odour of cow dung that permeates the air. The buzzing of flies, blaring of horns of trucks and mooing of cows resonates in the area.



According to a press statement issued by the cattle market's administration, 700 acres of land have been allotted for the animals. A total 26 blocks have been set up, which include four 'VIP' blocks for farm cattle. Approximately 1,000 cows have arrived at the market, while the goats have yet to enter the premises.



Banks and other money transfer solution providers will be providing facilities for the safe deposit and transfer of money at the market. The administrator of the market, Jahangir Allah Rakha, said that steps have been taken to check and confirm vaccination of sacrificial animals. "Traders have been advised to get their animals vaccinated in time to avoid action against them by the administration," he said.

The thousands of bovines from Punjab and interior Sindh that made their way to what is considered Asia's biggest cattle market were in for a surprise when they arrived at the flooded market. "Cows never sit on wet land," said Muhammad Ramazan, who brought 50 cows all the way from Rahim Yar Khan, investing about Rs100,000.

Sick animals and no vet

Despite the continuous rainfall, no veterinarian is available in the market as yet. Ramazan pointed out that their animals were getting sick and they have no vet at the market to consult with. "We have to go all the way to Sohrab Goth to get medicines for our animals," he said, adding that the vets will not come to the market nor can the cows be transported to the clinic. "If our animals start dying, the management should be held responsible," he said.

Water, water everywhere

Due to constantly standing in the puddles formed by rainwater, the cows' hooves have started to decay. "The cow fodder, especially the maize they eat, has gotten wet due to the rainwater and is now useless for animals," said Ramazan.



Sitting cross-legged on a plastic sheet in a corner of the cattle market, another bovine owner from Rahim Yar Khan, Muhammad Rizwan, opened bags full of cow feed. He was trying to separate the dried maize pieces from the wet pieces. "Hurry up," he told his son. "Separate them before they all get wet." Rizwan brought 60 bags of cow feed, each costing Rs2,400. "Most of the bags have been heavily soaked in rainwater," he said in a dejected voice. "I don't know how I will cover the loss."

Dislodging cows

Wearing a blue kurta and dhoti, Allah Bachaya was unable to contain his excitement. He brought 31 cows from Rahim Yar Khan and after dislodging his luggage from a huge 16-wheeler, he was finally ready to help his cows off the vehicle. A large number of young men gathered around his vehicle, all set to record the activity using their mobile phone cameras. Before helping the first cow get off, Bachaya recited a prayer silently. He then yelled at the crowd to move away, warning them that he would not be responsible if a cow hit them. Bags of cow feed were placed beneath the truck's ramp to create a path for the cows. The first cow climbed down and ran off, scared by the crowd's hooting.

Skyrocketing prices

Despite severe difficulties in the market, the cow sellers are not ready to negotiate the price of their animals. Rahim Bux has brought more than 250 cows from Nowshera. For each cow, he says, he has paid Rs1,000 rent, apart from other expenses, such as water. “It’s all about fate,” he said, adding that if fate has it, all of their animals would be sold at their price. He added that if the sellers are not paid what they are demanding, they will take their animals back home and come back next year. “We will not reduce a single penny due to the rain,” he said sternly.

Similarly, Ramazan reasoned that their expenditures have doubled due to the rain, asking how they could possibly be expected to reduce their prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2016.