Anandapur/Ghasipura: Even as the scourge of Japanese encephalitis (JE), which has claimed the lives of 57 kids in Malkangiri, has the state government and health officials in a tizzy, scores of poor pig farmers in Tarimul under Ghasipura block, and Hatadihi and Gedema in Anandapur subdivision have been facing public fury.
Apprehending the spread of the disease from pigs, locals are alarmed over the presence of the animals in these areas. Angry people are even attacking pigs with stones, which has raised the concern of poor pig farmers. According to reports, over 3,000 pigs are grown by 70 families in these areas. With their livelihood solely dependent on pig rearing, the families usually tend the pigs everywhere every day.
However, they lamented that their livelihood is now at stake particularly after the outbreak of JE in Malkangiri. Locals have been loathing the animals and attacking them away from village precincts, they rued. In Tarimul and other villages, people have made life difficult for pig farmers. The animals are pelted and attacked by people as soon as they are seen. In the last one week, pigs have remained confined to pigsties in Tarimul, the farmers said, adding the animals will perish if they are kept like this.
Under the present circumstances, the farmers said there is a need for diagnosing whether their pigs have JE virus or not.
“We have no land or homes. Pig rearing is our only livelihood source. Nobody tries to understand where the disease is spreading, but we have to face the fury here. The government should make provision of compensation if it wants us to give up pig rearing,” lamented many pig farmers.
Sub-divisional livestock officer of Anandapur, Dr Nakula Nayak said the animal husbandry department can extend help to pig farmers only after getting orders from the government. PNN
