21st animal census begins in Kangra district

The 21st census of pet and stray animals has started in Kangra district and the department employees will soon be seen going door to door to accomplish this task. Through this exercise, the data of cattle reared by each farmer will be taken and fed in a mobile App. The counting process, an initiative of the Animal Husbandry Department, is likely to continue till Dec 31.

After preparing a blueprint, the Animal Husbandry Department in Kangra district has already started working in this direction. It has appealed to animal owners to provide correct data of their pet animals so that the correct figures are made available.

While talking to The Tribune, Seema Guleria, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, said, “All the animals, both pet and stray, would be counted in the district. The pharmacists of the department would be the enumerators.” According to her, the collected data would be useful in deciding all future projects, schemes and fund allocation.

The Department will go from village to village in the district and count the number of domestic animals. The data of cows, buffalos, sheep, goats, chickens and dogs which people keep in their homes in the villages will be uploaded online. Pet dogs have also been included in this year’s animal census.

Particulars like the name of the head of the household, caste and education will be uploaded in the survey. Finer details like the breed of the animal, will also be incorporated. Animal census is done after every 5 to 6 years.

This is the 21st animal census, the last census was done in the year 2017-18 across the state. The data will finally be uploaded online on a mobile App. About 700 employees will provide their services for conducting the census.