In Bala Kurna village of Pali tehsil, Pali district is in spot light for a tragedy that is nothing but amounted by administrative failure. For at least 15 days, cattle have been dying mysteriously. Initially assumed to be a disease, it was later found to be a more serious problem. According to locals, contaminated water from stone mines has drained into the grazing fields and this toxic water is causing the deaths of the livestock. Villagers state that this toxic water has turned the grazing land into a death zone.

Are cows dying because of poisoned water from the mines?

Dr. Manoj Kumar Panwar, the Joint Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, confirmed that polluted water from nearby mines caused the cattle deaths. It has also been confirmed that the toxic water has not only destroyed lush green vegetation but has also turned the land barren, affecting more than just the livestock.

Administrative failure

Villagers blame government officials for not taking action against the ongoing illegal activity. One of the villagers shared that the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) disconnected the water tank connections specifically for grazing cattle. Since the only water source for the cattle was disconnected, they were forced to drink the toxic water from the mines. After consuming the contaminated water, a cow’s stomach swelled, leading to its death quickly.

Sick Cows Being Transported For Treatment

From the first week of February till now, at least 20 cows have died, others are being treated and are too weak to stand. Cows have been loaded onto trucks and transported to  Pali’s Pinjara Pol and other shelters. Villagers are very angry with the local administration and mine owners. They have requested immediate intervention to save the livestock and restore the toxic grazing land.