Pulwama: Atleast 32 sheep died after drinking water from a private water tank at Muchpona village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday.
The incident took place when a local shepherd, Abdul Ahad Mir gave water to the sheep from a water tank situated at an apple orchard near grassland.
“Soon after drinking water, they began collapsing one after another”, said Ahad.
Ahad siad that he phoned up a veterinarian but before he reached the spot around 32 of them had died.
“This was the only source of my income ” said a gutted Ahad.
Ahad owned 21 sheep while the rest in the flock belonged to other farmers.
The local resident believed that the water may have become poisonous with a mixture of pesticides used as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant during various sprays.
Bashir Ahmad Rather who lost 12 animals in the flock said, ” I performed ablution from the same water and I sensed something amiss”, he said.
Speaking to Awami Moazin, Fayaz Ahmad Dar incharge Mugalpoora Sheep Extension Centre (SEC) Department of Sheep Husbandry said , ” I recieved a call from the village at arround 1:50 pm, it took me half an hour to reach the spot, till then 27 sheep had already died. We tried our best to save them but to no avail”.
The affected shepherds have appealed to the government to provide them relief.
