Three lakh sheep affected by drought

Jammu, Dec 23 The Deputy Commissioner Satish Nehru has visited Changthang area to take stock of the situation where nearly three lakh Pashmina and Merino sheep have been affected due to drought.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 3 crore under the calamity relief fund for the affected cattle and sheep, an official spokesman said.

During his tour yesterday, the deputy commissioner visited 25 villages in changthang.

The cash relief for purchasing of local barley as a feed supplement amounting to Rs 38.75 lakhs has been placed at the disposal of disbursing committees headed by SDM, NYOMA, and Councillors of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

Adequate quantity of fodder and feed has also been stocked in the remotest areas of the village.

An amount of Rs 22.57 lakh was disbursed in presence of Deputy commissioner and councillors to the beneficiaries, the spokesman added.

Nehru, who is also the chairman of the red cross society of leh unit, also distributed blankets and jackets among the poor and orphan children of Samad, Angkong, Kharnak, Fobrang, Man, Merak and kakjung Nomadic areas.