Global animals group to help flood-prone Bihar save livestock

As saving human lives is the priority of BIhar, which is annually ravaged by devastating floods, the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) has now stepped in to help the state protect its cattle during natural calamities.

"The WSPA has selected Bihar, the first state in India, to help to save the livestock," Philip Russel, director of the disaster management wing of the WSPA, said here Wednesday.

The WSPA has chosen Bihar as the state sees a huge loss of livestock during recurring floods, particularly when the Kosi river breaches its embankment like last year. Over 19,000 livestock perished during the floods in Bihar last year and the state has no focused approach yet to save them. 

Russel said the WSPA would provide relief and rehabilitation to animals in distress following flood or drought.

He was here to attend a two-day international seminar on disaster management for livestock that began Tuesday.

Russel told IANS that working to protect animals in flood-prone Bihar would be a challenge for the WSPA, which is all set to open its first veterinary emergency response unit of the country in Patna. 

"A team of the WSPA would go and conduct a mock drill for evacuation of animals by the end of this year in a village in one of the flood-prone districts of Supaul, Saharsa or Madhepura," he said.

The WSPA would also train veterinary doctors about methods of safe evacuation during natural disasters.

Russel said several countries were now recognizing the need for laws to protect the livestock population.