Mismatch in cow death figures in 4 villages expose Rajasthan government | Ground Report

Over 20,000 cows have died in Rajasthan due to lumpy skin disease. An India Today investigation has revealed discrepancies in government data on cow deaths in several districts.

An India Today investigation has found that the Rajasthan government is hiding the actual number of cow deaths in the state. According to official data, 254 cow deaths have happened due to Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) till July 29 in Jodhpur but we found that over 250 cow deaths happened in four villages alone.

In four Jodhpur villages -- Palli 1, Palli second, Matoda and Lakheta village -- the animal husbandry department has either failed to count the deaths or is hiding the actual numbers.

"Till July 28, 945 cows had succumbed to LSD out of which 264 have died in Barmer, 254 in Jodhpur, 13 in Pali, 236 in Jalore, six in Sirohi and 172 in Jaisalmer," Manmohan Nagori, additional director, told India Today.

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However, an India Today investigation revealed that more than 250 cattles were found dead in four villages of Palli 1, Palli second, Matoda and Lakheta village alone. The carcasses were not disposed of properly and no chemicals were sprayed. The stinking carcasses are posing health issues to children studying in Palli government school.

“At least 40-50 cows have been found dead in this two-km area. The administration is not taking any strict measures. A team had reached and treated a few cows initially, but later nobody paid heed to this problem. Bodies of cows have been thrown open in the ground and this can lead to infection in 250 school students studying in the government school. The parents are not sending their kids to school,” said Jugal Kishore Sharma, a resident of Palli village.

Around 2000 families in Matoda village are dependent on animal husbandry and the highly infectious LSD has affected their livelihood. More than 50 per cent of cows have fallen sick due to this infection.