Summary:
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Animal husbandry department (AHD) has pegged the initial estimate of loss in the sector due to floods at Rs 51 crore. The department sets a target of 60,000 cattle every year and only milk yielding cows are included under insurance coverage. Deaths of cattle and poultry have also been reported from Idukki and Wayanad, where many landslides had occurred.“In many flood-affected areas, it was impossible for anyone to take the animals with them. “So, although a farmer would have lost calves, goats and poultry, the insurance will apply only to milch cows. Those animals which were let off might not have reached high grounds, as the extent of flooding was huge,” said an official with AHD.Of the 14 lakh cattle in the state, only around 2 lakh have been insured..