Pindi to set up 9 sacrificial animal markets

Markets to start operating from July 15

RAWALPINDI:

As many as nine cattle markets will be set up for Eidul Adha on the outskirts of Rawalpindi this year while guidelines for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) will be strictly followed.

In this regard, the Rawalpindi district administration on Thursday issued a notification.

The notification said that the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals at these markets for Eidul Adha will commence from July 15.

Two cattle markets will be established in the garrison city, including on Adiyala Road and the other on Chakri Road near Al-Haram City. The administrative control of these markets will reside with the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) while the Rawalpindi city assistant commissioner (AC) will be responsible for the supervision of these markets.

Two other markets will be established in Taxila along with the Grand Trunk (GT) Road near the Timber Market and the Wah General Hospital. The cantonment boards of Taxila and Wah will oversee the administrative operations at these markets.

In Gujjar Khan, only one cattle market will be set up near Fame Marquee. The cattle management company will retain administrative control of the market while the Gujjar Khan AC will oversee affairs.

Similarly, the Dhobi Ghat Ground has been allocated for setting up a cattle market in Murree.

The cattle market in Kallar Syedan will be established at Mangal Chowk, near the Kallar Bypass, while Chorra Bazar has been designated as the spot for the livestock market in Kotli Sattiyan.

In Kahuta, the cattle market will be established on Tangi Raod near Chanshah Jhalyar.

Visitors and vendors will have to follow strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) against Covid-19. Moreover, there will be a complete ban on the purchase and sale of sacrificial animals anywhere else than the designated sites.

Earlier last week, a meeting of district administration, health authorities and officers of the cantonment had decided to strictly enforce SOPs which have been devised to control the spread of Covid-19 while purchasing cattle on Eidul Adha. The meeting had mulled whether 16 cattle markets should be allowed or fewer and ultimately decided on nine.

Besides the coronavirus SOPs of wearing facemasks, maintaining social distance, and using sanitisers, the district administration, health department and the livestock department officials will enforce the guidelines to prevent the Congo and dengue viruses from spreading.

Cattle carry ticks which can cause the Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever. To prevent this virus from spreading, the authorities make elaborate arrangements to disinfect animals each year.

Moreover, stagnant wastewater in cattle markets can prove to be fertile ground for spawning dengue mosquito larvae.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2020.