Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: Census is conducted across the country once every five years. It is the main source of livestock data which provides details about the number, breed, age and sex of various species of animals across the State and country at large stated Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nilkanth Halarnkar after launching 21st Livestock Census.
The Minister informed that the data collected during this livestock census would be useful for proper planning and formulation of programme meant for improvement in the livestock sector in the State and Country.
So far 20 Livestock Censuses have been conducted in association with all State/Union Territory Governments. This will be the 21st Livestock Census and will be conducted this year, he informed.
Halarnkar highlighting key areas which will be focussed in this 21st Livestock Census said sixteen species and 221 breeds of livestock including poultry birds will be enumerated.
Apart from this Cattle, Buffaloes, Camel, Goat, Pig, Donkey, Sheep mule, Horse, dogs, rabbits, yak, elephant, poni, Poultry fawls, ducks etc,
About the Livestock Census in Goa, Halarnkar said that we are launching 21st Livestock Census from today. The Officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services will visit each household in the State for the detailed enumeration of the owned dogs and livestock available at each household, Non-Household enterprises, Goushalas, Military, Aviation Areas etc. across the State, he added.
The Minister said that the major initiatives which will be taken up by the State of Goa with regards to rising Dog bite cases involving certain ferocious breeds and added that the Government has decided to collect breed-wise data of these dogs during the upcoming 21st National Livestock Census.
The National Livestock Census involves enumeration of dogs, pets as well as stray, but does not involve breed wise survey of dogs. Therefore, the enumerators will enlist the number of dogs of various breeds, available with pet owners in the State, separately.
Such breed wise data will be helpful in identifying the number of breeds present in the State and total number of dogs of particular breed in the State which may be handy for strategic planning to ban certain breeds of dogs he informed.
Halarnkar further said that livestock census have important aspects like financial, nutrition, disease control and surveillance of animal health to understand the breed dynamics. He appealed to all the citizens to welcome the enumerators/ Animal Husbandry Officials at their household.
Citizens can check the identity of the enumerators and then share the detailed information about the livestock in their possession.
Director, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr. Nitin Naik, State Nodal Officer, Dr Rajesh Keni, Deputy Director Planning Dr Prakash Korgaokar, Deputy Director Dep. Gynecology Dr. Shirishkumar Betkekar and others were present on the occasion.
