Assam Floods Devastate Livestock and Wildlife: Government Responds with Compensation

Impact of Floods on Livestock in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 6: The ongoing floods in Assam have severely impacted the region, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reporting that over 1 million livestock have been affected. In response, the state government has initiated a compensation program for families who have lost their animals.

In a social media update, Sarma emphasized the extensive damage to both domestic and wild animals, noting that the floods have displaced hundreds of wild creatures, with many still unaccounted for.

He stated, "More than 10 lakh livestock have been impacted, and hundreds of wild animals have been lost, with many others stranded or missing. Our Forest Department is actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts, but the magnitude of this crisis necessitates additional support."

The Chief Minister acknowledged that animal rescue efforts often go unnoticed during such disasters and expressed gratitude to the Vantara Foundation for deploying specialized wildlife rescue teams and ambulances to aid the Assam Forest Department.

Sarma expressed his appreciation for the Vantara Foundation's initiative, particularly thanking its founder, Anant Ambani, for their support.

As floodwaters continue to affect 563 villages across 14 districts, thousands of families are facing significant challenges, with agriculture and livestock suffering extensive damage.

To assist those impacted, the Assam government has announced financial aid for livestock losses. Under a relief package introduced on August 3, families can receive Rs 37,500 for each large milch animal, such as a cow, for a maximum of three animals.

Compensation is also set at Rs 4,000 for each small animal, including goats and pigs, for up to 30 animals, and Rs 100 per poultry bird for a maximum of 100 birds.

The government has instructed the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to conduct health camps in flood-affected areas to treat animals and prevent disease outbreaks among those that survived.

During a visit to the flood-affected Sivasagar district on August 3, Sarma announced that government teams would start door-to-door assessments of permanent flood damage beginning August 9, after which compensation would be distributed to eligible families.

According to the latest flood report from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 35,025 domestic animals are currently affected in the flood-hit districts. This includes 17,195 large animals and 13,164 small animals, with the remaining livestock comprising various other categories, including poultry.

However, the government has not provided clarity on how the Chief Minister arrived at the estimate of over 10 lakh affected livestock compared to the figures reported by ASDMA.