Swine Flu casts shadow on piggeries in state

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-05-06
MARGAO- The panic world over because of Swine Flu has now cast its shadow on one of the most ancient professions of pig rearing in the state.
The piggeries have been causing nuisance to the people living around them especially in the municipal jurisdiction as no proper measures are implemented to maintain the hygiene.
Even though the exact number of piggeries within the municipal jurisdiction is not known as they are not registered with the civic authority, however, the presence of such piggeries come to light only when neighbours face problems due to unhygienic conditions occurring from them.
The sanitary inspector of Margao Muncipality informed that the municipality has so far not issued permission to anybody to operate a piggery, however, three complaints have come before the municipality — two in Borda and one at Dovondem
He said that the municipality has closed one piggery in Borda while action is being initiated against the owners of other piggeries.
Ask the residents who live around such piggeries and they have a long tale to tell as to what hardships they are facing as a result of the rearing of the pigs.
If that’s not enough, they have a still longer list of complains against the authorities that despite complaints they are dragging their feet on initiating action against the violators of law.
One such resident affected by the piggery at Borda informed that he along with his 30-odd neighbours have been fighting a long battle against the piggery which has been emitting foul smell due to the accumulated food, which lies in the open.
He informed that as a result the place is infested with a large number of flies, which come and settle on food items.
He further said that they make several trips to the municipality, health officials and other authorities, but all their requests have fallen on deaf ears.
He, however, admitted that the Margao Municipality had issued a show cause notice but has not initiated any action against the piggery.
A resident of Shravan Co-operative Housing Society, who didn’t want to be named, informed that the society is just adjacent to the piggery and that they have been running from pillar to post against it but without much success.
He informed that the pigs are bred in the most unhygienic conditions which give rise to a lot of flies because of the leftover food which include animal parts which are left out in the open to rot.
He pointed out that this piggery has as many as 40-odd pigs and expressed fear that several diseases may break out because of the unhygienic conditions prevailing there.
Similarly, the residents of Dovondem too complained that the civic authorities have been moving slowly on initiating action against the piggery owner.
The residents have also made a representation to the health officer of the Urban Health Centre, Margao, who pointed out that the piggery was causing a public nuisance besides creating health hazard in the area and has issued a notice in this regard.
When contacted, the chief officer, Mr Y B Tavde confirmed about the two cases of rearing of pigs but denied allegations that the municipality has been dragging its feet over the issue.
Mr Tavde said that action has been initiated and the piggery at Borda was to be demolished, however, the owner has appealed against the order in court.