150 shepherds with 15,000 livestock trapped in Kangra snow
SHIMLA: At least 150 shepherds with their flock of 15,000 animals are trapped in the landlocked high mountains of Bara Bhangal in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh for the past 20 days. Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary BK Agarwal said the state government has decided to send two emergency rescue teams to help the stranded shepherds. The teams
left from Baijnath, a sub-divisional town on Friday, and will soon try to establish contact with the the shepherds.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur ordered state administration to take steps for the immediate rescue of the shepherds, who have been stranded due to heavy and unpredicted snowfall over the past three days.
“Since it was not possible to land a helicopter in this area, the chief minister told officials to make alternative arrangements to protect the shepherds,” said a source.
When contacted, Agarwal, the chief secretary, said, “Deputy Commissioner (Kangra) Sandeep Kumar, who formed the team immediately, has also deputed Patwari of Bara Bhangal, a crew of four mountaineers and three locals as experts familiar with the path. Twenty pairs of long shoes had also been sent with the team. If shepherds are in need of economic assistance, money has also been sent so they do not face any difficulty.”
He said the team would camp in Bara Bhangal area and will stay in constant contact with the shepherds and the administration. He added that the second team of 15 members, including three trainers from mountaineering institute Manali and 12 local residents, would leave for Bara Bhangal on October 14. This team will depart from Multhan towards Muraldhar-thamsar. The team has been provided with ade- quate food and blankets.
He said the district administration had been issued directions to keep vigil on the situation at Bara Bhangal. One shepherd died as he slipped over the snow and fell into a deep gorge. Agarwal said the team will try to trace the body and bring it back. Shepherds travel to Bara Bhangal area – which has no road connectivity – for grazing their flock in the summers, but unexpected early snowfall caught them by surprise.