Assam: Over 15,000 pigs dead, govt seeks Rs 144 cr farmer compensation

Following the spread of swine fever among pigs in Assam, over 15,000 pigs have died in Assam, The centre is now preparing for mass culling to curb the spread of the African swine fever (ASF) virus.

This is the first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in India and the Assam government has now issued a high alert for the disease.

The affected producers are being offered a one-time compensation payment of Rs 144 crore while the government begins to control movement of pigs and pork products in the affected districts.

"We are deeply concerned due to this growing crisis in Assam. The deaths are increasing every day. Now, 10 districts have been affected already. 14,919 pigs have died already and the number is on the rise. We have alerted the Government of India as well," Assam Animal Husbandry Minister Atul Bora to NDTV.

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"Initially, six districts were affected but now it has spread to 10 districts out of 33, despite the fact that we took all possible steps (for prevention), but it is spreading to new areas. Thus, we are thinking about other options, we are discussing it," Bora added.

The origins

As per reports, the Assam govt believes the disease has been transmitted to pig from China, where it is estimated. The pig population has dropped by 40 percent since the first outbreak in August 2018.

ASF is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. It is responsible for serious production and economic losses;

According to NDTV, the Assam government has alerted all wildlife reserves in the state regarding the disease.

"There are around 15,000 wild boars alone in Kaziranga National Park, and we have discussed with the state forest department to take preventive measures. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has also directed the forest department to take all preventive measures," said Minister Bora.

As reported in the Hindu, Arunachal Pradesh’s officials of East Siang district said that wild boars, piglets, were found in a community forest at Lidor Soyit upstream of Sille River. Reports of several wild boars dying from an unknown disease in East Siang and Upper Siang districts has been noted.

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