Complete information on the Preparedness, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Livestock

Preparedness

The important measures for disaster preparedness for animals are as follows:

There should be a separate plan for livestock population in the preparedness plan at state, district and even block levels, similarly, there should be some initiatives by the central as well as state government to take preventive measures to protect livestock such as-

I. Construction of livestock shelter in disaster prone areas. In normal times, these structures can be used for animal feed stores, animal production, extension centre cum veterinary dispensary (on same lines as cyclone shelters are proposed to b used as community centers).

II. Requisite stocks should be maintained for fodder, vaccines and medicines for animals in disaster prone areas.

III. Animal shelters should be near the human shelter so that people can take their animals with them at the time of warning.

IV. Community should be trained to protect their animal population in the disaster situation.

V. Separate action plan should be chalked out for veterinary staff who should receive the training dealing with to specific disaster situation.

VI. Contingency plans to remove the animals from affected areas. For poultry, special cages and transport arrangement can be made.

VII. In cyclone/flood prone areas, regular mock exercises for livestock protection should be there.

Relief

The various relief measures for animals in the aftermath of disasters are briefly indicated as under:

I. Stranded and affected livestock in the disaster should be rescued and taken to safer places such as cattle shelter and provided with basic needs for life i.e. feed, fodder and drinking water.

II. The community and trained staff should protect the animals against beasts of prey and poisonous insects, snakes and reptiles.

III. The community should maintain hygiene and assist the veterinary staff in giving vaccine and medicine to the injured and affected animals.

IV. The veterinary and para-veterinary staff should be assisted in damage assessment and specific needs to the cattle.

V. Removal of dead animals and disposal of dead bodies should be given high priority.

VI. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) can play a major role in providing relief to the livestock during the disaster in the following ways-

• Establishment and running of cattle camps.
• Collection/transport and distribution of feed and fodder.
• Collection of forest grass, straws, etc. for feed.
• Accurate reporting on the extent of loss of livestock belonging to individual farmers.
• Disposal of animal carcasses
• Providing training to the community for animal care during natural disasters.

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Measures

I. Arrangement could be made for purchase of livestock that the farmers want to sell-out of distress. The cattle can be rehabilitated in ‘Goshalas’/’Gosadans’.

II. Farmers of the disaster-affected area should be encouraged to go for insurance of their livestock so that they may be adequately compensated for the livestock lost, incapacitated or dead due to disaster.

III. There is a system of distributed cash relief by the State Government for the loss of animals.

IV. Reconstruction of damaged veterinary hospitals and artificial insemination centers should be given priority.

V. After the disaster, cattle breed of high quality and resistance should be introduced in the area so that better genetic stock could come up for the future.

VI. Setting up of permanent fodder bank in drought and flood affected areas will help the people in a disaster situation. This will provide permanent feed security system in the vulnerable areas.