Illegal cattle markets expose residents to risk of Congo virus

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* CDA sets up sacrificial animals market in I-11/2

* Traders demand three times high prices for animals as compared to last year saying that floods and high transport increased their cost

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Though Capital Development Authority (CDA) has set up sacrificial animal market in Sector I-11/2 near Railway Carriage Factory, illegal cattle markets are mushrooming in various sectors of the federal capital exposing the residents to the risk of Congo virus as the administration has turned a blind eye towards this serious issue.

Few of many illegal mini cattle markets have also been established in sector I-10, I-9, H-10, H-11, and G-11.

As Eidul Azha is less than a week away, the traders have started bringing sacrificial animals to I-11 market, but the prices of these animals are sky high and beyond the purchasing power of low-income group.

The traders from different parts of the country including Chakwal, Rawat, Bhalwal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and other cities have brought sacrificial animals to federal capital for sale.

High prices: During a visit to the market, Daily Times found that this year the traders were demanding three times more price as compared to the last year and there were only a few customers. Generally people prefer to buy sacrificial animals on last two days as animals need proper care and shelter and Islamabad residents face problems in this regard due to lack of proper place for them in their homes during winter season.

Business activity in I-11 market was low, as most of people who visited the market to buy animals on Friday preferred to wait expecting decrease in prices on days near the Eid.

Waseem Elahi, a 35 -year old citizen, said the prices of sacrificial animals were very high and he was unable buy a reasonable goat even for Rs 15,000. “It is expected that more traders would bring animals and increase in supply would lower the prices near Eid,” he said.

This year high inflation rate, floods and other factors have caused a 60 to 70 percent increase in the prices of sacrificial animals. The price of an average goat weighing about 18 to 20 kg ranges from Rs 15,000 to 18,000, while a sheep of the same weight is available at Rs 14,000 to Rs 17,000. The price of a beautiful and healthy animal ranges from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. The price of an average cow and a calf is between Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 and a camel from Rs 125,000 to Rs 150,000.

The sacrificial animal dealers expressed their concern over low sale. Imran Ali, an animal dealer from Sargodha, said people were not buying animals due to high prices. He said the rate might increase or decrease in the coming days. “But I know that due to the floods, the supply of animals is less this year,” he said.

“High transport cost is another reason for high prices of animals,” said Rahmat Ali, another vendor who came from Bahawalpur.

Expecting high prices of sacrificial animals, this year most of the middle-income people have preferred to take part in collective sacrifice arranged by local area mosques. This year per share cost of collective sacrifice has also increased that ranges between Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500 as compared to last year’s price of Rs 5,000 to 5,500.