200 cattle seized ahead of Bakrid

The GHMC has confiscated over 200 cattle “for being illegally transported” from various districts of Telangana state to Hyderabad in the past two days.

GHMC officials said the impounded animals include bulls and bullocks, 40 cows, 84 calves and seven buffaloes. The animals had been confiscated as they are unfit for slaughtering and consumption. Transporters also did not have any certificates from veterinary doctors or Animal Husbandry department that they are fit for slaughter.

Officials said the seized cattle, which had been bound for slaughter on eve of Bakrid on Wednesday, have been handed over to goshalas based on High Court orders. 94 cattle had been impounded from

Fathulguda animal care centre, 13 from KPHB colony, two from Patenagar in Amberpet and 98 from Mahadevpur.

According to officials, about four lakh sheep and goats, apart from 15,000 cattle are slaughtered in the city every Bakrid. This year, their number has decreased drastically with no supplies coming in from neighbouring states, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, because of Covid-19 outbreak.

When questioned about disposal of animal waste generated during Bakrid, officials pointed out that over the years these have been either dumped along waysides, lakesides or along city nalas. The waste is collected over three days after Bakrid and taken to Jawaharnagar dumpyard. There it is converted into manure in the compost units.