There are huge numbers of locally-reared cattle in the country to meet the massive demand for sacrificial animals during the Eid-ul-Azha this year..
Visiting different cattle markets, this correspondent found that people from various districts have already reached the city with their sacrificial animals, and most of them are locally reared.
The open space of ShanirAkhra-Daniya playground which is now an important cattle market in the city is full of sacrificial animals. Some cattle are found beside the road due to lack of space in the main site of the haat ( market) violating the lease terms.
UNB correspondent talked to many of them who came here from various districts to sell their sacrificial animals.
Shahabuddin is one of the cattle farmers who reached the city from Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district to sell his sacrificial animals.
After travelling long, he brought 12 sacrificial animals. He said his cattle were medium in size and the expected price would range from TK 80,000 to TK 1,20,000.
Mosharraf Hossain, leaseholder of the haat, said, "Presence of buyers and sellers would increase further in three-four days before Eid.”
The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) said that 5,77,416 commercial farms and farmers have around 1,17,88,563 sacrificial animals ready to meet the demand for 1,10,00,000.
Few cattle from India, Myanmar and Nepal were available in the cattle haats. According to UNB correspondent from bordering districts, the cattle inflow from India, both legally and illegally, has dropped significantly this year.
The reporter also found that though huge cattle are being brought into the cattle markets, the number of buyers were comparatively few till now.
The leasers of the cattle market informed that people are coming in market to see the price situation of the cattle. Some people have purchased various sacrificial animals so far.
Buyers complained that traders are charging high price for the sacrificial animals compared to the last few years.
A buyer Shamim Ahmed who came to see the market situation said, the price of the sacrificial animals were quite high this year. On the other hand, the sellers claimed that they had to spend a huge amount of money for the fodder and also had to spend much as transportation cost for bringing the cattle in the capital.
“We had no option to ask for the high price of the sacrificial animals due to the overall situation,“ said the sellers.
Visiting the cattle market of Chairman Bari intersection at Kamrangirchar, Gopibagh Balur Math and open spaces adjacent to Kamalapur Stadium and Dhupkhola playground, UNB correspondent found a huge number of cattle.
“There is a big collection of locally-reared cattle compared to the previous years as indigenous farmers are getting benefitted selling the locally-reared variety cattle for the past few years”, informed the lease holders.
Some 25 makeshift cattle markets were set up in the capital under Dhaka North and South City Corporations (DNCC and DSCC), up from 22 last year.
The DSCC is hosting 14 cattle markets, while the DNCC is accommodating the other 11. Apart from the makeshift cattle markets, the permanent cattle market at Gabtoli is also busy doing brisk business.
The cattle markets under the DSCC will be located at Meradia Bazar Playground, open spaces of Dhupkhola playground, No. 41 Kawartek playground, open spaces of Amulia Model Town, Aftabnagar Eastern Housing Dawkandi Endulia, Maitree Shangho playground, Shyampur Balur Math, No. 32 Shamsabad playground, Hazaribagh field at Zigatola, Lalbagh Rahmatganj playground, Chairman Bari intersection at Kamrangirchar, Gopibagh Balur Math and open spaces adjacent to Kamalapur Stadium and open space of ShanirAkhra-Daniya playground.
The cattle markets under the DNCC are : Open spaces at Kawla-Shialdanga, Uttara-10 Sluice gate to Kamarpara Bridge, open spaces on north side of Mirpur DOHS, open spaces of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, open spaces of Shahidnagar Housing in Uttarkhan, Badda Eastern Housing (Aftabnagar), open space of Eastern Housing at Mirpur- 6, Khilkhet Banorupa Residential Project, open spaces near the bridge No 1 and 2 at Uttara Sector 15, Bhatara (Sayed Nagar), Mohammadpur Intellectual Road adjacent open spaces, and open spaces of both side of the 300 Feet road of Khilkhet.
DSCC authority informed that if a leaseholder violates the condition, action will be taken against them as specific date for preparing the cattle market and selling was included in the terms and conditions.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Mohammad Sayed Khokon said mobile court will be conducted against those who do not obey the lease terms.