155 milk producing buffalos die after consuming toxic bread waste
The percentage data of cows and buffaloes per area is also collected, after which milk collection centres are set up keeping in view the availability of animals. PHOTO: FILE
About 155 buffaloes worth more than Rs465 million died after eating poisonous bread waste, locally known as bhosi tukra, in the Cattle Colony.
Vendors roam about in the city collecting leftover bread from eateries, restaurants and homes and sell to traders who then sell to cattle pen owners in bulk quantity as fodder. However, fungus infestation can make this cheap fodder toxic.
Dairy Cattle and Farmers Association Pakistan President Shakir Gujjar said that so far confirmed casualties from two dairy farms stand at 155.
Gujjar said that he has obtained a letter from Sukhan Police for PCSIR laboratory for chemical analysis of bread waste.
He has demanded the Sindh government to ban the feeding of bread waste to cattle in Sindh like Punjab.
In response to a question, he said that an application has been filed against the supplier of the bread waste in the Sukhan police station and further legal action will be taken after the report from the laboratory.
Shakir Gujjar said that if the value of a milk producing buffalo is around Rs300,000 and the approximate loss of 155 heads comes around Rs465 million.
The dead cattle were buried by making big pits in the ground with the help of excavators.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2022