Maharashtra: Help pours in, Matheran horses get 2,000kg fodder

NAVI MUMBAI: After TOI recently highlighted the plight of 450 equines owned by 235 licenced horse owners in Matheran, help has poured in for the animals who were on the verge of starvation due to lockdown. The Raigad district collector together with officials of the Animal husbandry department and some NGOs have provided 2,000 kg of fodder for the horses on Saturday. The owners of the equines lost their sole source of livelihood that depended on tourism.Raigad district collector Nidhi Choudhari said 2,000 kg of nutritious horse fodder has been distributed among Matheran horse owners.
“All officers and employees of Animal husbandry department have voluntarily contributed from their own salaries to enable us to buy the horse feed,” said Choudhari.
“The horse owners have been told to use masks, sanitisers, observe social distancing, wash hands frequently, and in case of Covid-like symptoms, they should immediately visit the nearest government hospital and seek medical advice. Food and water is also being provided to stray dogs and cattle through NGOs by assigning the responsibility to livestock development officials at panchayat samiti level who will ensure that domestic animals don’t starve,” said Choudhari.