Arunachal: West Kameng bans trans-border yak movement after disease outbreak in Bhutan
Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district administration has prohibited the trans-border movement of yaks and other livestock for grazing across the Indo-Bhutan border following reports of an outbreak of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) among yak populations in bordering areas of Bhutan.
According to an order issued by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dilip Kumar, the outbreak was reported from the Sakteng and Merak areas of Bhutan adjoining West Kameng district.
The administration said unrestricted seasonal movement of yaks and livestock could facilitate the spread of the highly contagious and infectious disease into West Kameng, posing a serious threat to livestock and pastoral livelihoods in the district.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, came into effect immediately.
Under the directive, no yak or cattle owner, grazer, herder, or individual will be allowed to move yaks and livestock across the international border towards Bhutan or permit their entry from Bhutan into West Kameng district.
The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has also been directed to maintain strict surveillance along vulnerable grazing routes and in border villages, besides undertaking preventive vaccination and awareness measures.
Officials said the restrictions will remain in force for two months or until further orders, whichever is earlier.