Daily Times

KARACHI: A camel can go several days without water. Once water becomes available, a thirsty camel can drink up to 114 litres of water in 10-minutes. Atta Muhammad Hajano, a camel trader camping at Karachi’s cattle market on Super Highway on this Eid-ul-Azha recalls the last time his animals drank water at ‘full capasity’ was ten days ago when he was in his native village near Sanghar where he bought animals from.

“Water is short there both for animals and for human consumption,” said Hajano.

However, Jahangir Chaudhry, Administrator at cattle market said arrangements have been made to provide best possible facilities to animal traders.

“We are charging Rs 1,000 for a big animal and Rs 600 for a small animal,” said Jahangir. “Among facilities being provided is provision of place, security and drinking water. 16 litres of water is provided in 24 hours for every animal,” he added.

On the contrary, Hajano said traders were not getting water as percommitment. ” On some days either we are not provided water or even when it is provided, can 16 litres be enough for such a giant animals,” Hajano said.

“We have to spend Rs 200 daily on water on average , besides drinking needs,” said Hajano.

At the market there are different breeds of one-humped camel for sale like Sindhi, Halayee and Laari which is of short height with heavy weight having three colours- light brown, black and white.

Faheem Ali from Moro, Naushahro Feroze District who has bought black breed complains the same. “Water is being sold at Rs 40 per gallon. If this is happening then what was use of market entry fee,” Faheem said.

At some distance, Ayaz and his four brothers belong to city’s Water Pump area were busy bargaining with Aarab Norhio, owner of white-colored camel from Umerkot district recently bought from Punjab.

“I have bought ten cattle heads. Out of them only two are left,” Nohrio said. “I traveled across Punjab and bore expenditures to purchase and bring this breed which has costed me Rs 110,000 per animal therefore it is my right to demand Rs 160,000 for each one,” determined Nohrio asserted.

However Ayaz’s brothers had different thoughts. “Our budget does not allow us to cross over Rs 130,000 line. Let us see where the bargain ends,” Ayaz said.

According to Administration around 250,000 animals are expected to be sold during this Eid season.

At the Bull Market block, Malik Abdullah hailing from Gullu Town, Sibbi district Balochistan, was also complaining about the drinking water. “There are no satisfactory arrangements. We are drinking water being supplied to animals. There is no clean water as was committed by the market authorities,” he added.

However his animal was the centre of attention of the customers. Nicknamed Sibi’s “Shahanshah,” six feet white coloured Bhaag Naari breed was as eye-catcher for visitors. Some were busy making selfies with the giant animal. Abdullah is demanding Rs 3 million for Shahanshah claiming he has fed the animal with milk, ghee, gram, butter, gur and mustard oil.

‘Shahanshah’ is four years old and belongs to Bhaagnaari which was once reared by Nawabs. However this priceless breed is now being catered by peasants,” Abdullah added. There are around one thousand animals from Sibbi and Kachhi (Bolan) Balochistan in market.

For Abdullah, market is not so high but for Naveed Alam who was loading his newly bought cow it seemed expensive. “We have already bought an expensive cow for Rs 180,000. Now we have to bear additional money on transportation to our home on Abu-Hasan al-Isfahani Road,” Alam said.

On another corner, Ghulam Abbas from Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan was busy in pleasantries with his companions. Abbas and his team have bought 50 cows of white Nukra of Sahiwal breed out which only two were left.

“The most expensive we have sold so far was at 2.8 million,” Abbas told. “We vaccinated our animals before moving to Karachi. Prevention is better than cure.

A veterinary medical camp has also been established by Sindh Livestock Determent which is providing medicines free of cost round the clock. “So far there have been 3,777 complains registered mainly relating to fever and digestive system,” said Dr Mumtaz, Veterinary Officer.

“No contagious disease has so far been reported. Time to time spray is being done in view of tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) or other animal related ailments,” he added.

Among sheep, six breeds of Turkish white, coarse wool breed were the attraction for the buyers. “I have six such breeds which you cannot find in whole market,” owner Afzal Rasheed from Niazi Colony, Karachi claimed. Rasheed said he was asking for Rs 100,000 per animal.