| During
a visit with WWF consultants to Bar Paro, the secretary of one
of the CBOs formed by the Palas Conservation and Development
Project reported an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Muro
pastures. The secretary was asked to write a formal letter to
the relevant sector head and was assured that something would
happen. This was on the 22nd of June 2002.
The required contacts were made and the vaccines were purchased
from Lahore and the team departed for Muro on the 29th June
2002. The team consisted of Rab Nawaz (Programme Officer,
Biodiversity Conservation, PCDP), Dr. Sarbiland Khan (Veterinary
Officer) and four community facilitators (Mir Alam, Mustajab,
Naseer Khan and Muhammad Ayub). The objective of the trip
was to first assess the severity of the foot and mouth outbreak
and then act accordingly, either with vaccines in the case
of healthy animals and treatment for sick animals. Vaccine
for Septicemia was also taken along as this disease can be
expected in the near future, therefore providing vaccine will
prevent an outbreak.
On the route to Muro, the team stayed in Bar Paro over night
where the doctor was asked to treat a human patient (and a female
even) This shows the level of confidence that some people do
have in PCDP. Unfortunately the patient could not be cured (she
had accidentally stuck a sewing needle into her hand and the
exposed side had broken off) and it was advised that she be
taken to Pattan hospital.
The next day the team reached Muro and after a brief rest the
vaccination began. Over the next two and a half days the team
managed to vaccinate over 1150 animals. The whole process of
vaccination involves the whole community including the children,
women and shepherds, and is also often an amusing occasion.
Throughout Muro the community were more than willing to cooperate
and no large ruminant went un-checked.
Only in Gootabek did we face a problem since most of these
people are from Sherakot, where the local moulanas are manufacturing
propaganda against PCDP. The people were unwilling to vaccinate
their animals and it was one of our porters who solved the
problem. Muhammad Aslam, a previous employee of HJP and a
resident of Sherakot himself, took the initiative himself
to stand up to his own villagers and start vaccinating his
own animals. The locals then favored his decision and began
to bring their own animals.
Finally, during the vaccination campaign, the new community
facilitators who had also received training in animals husbandry
showed their initiative by continuing the vaccination even
after they had finished their allocated tasks, saving time
for the team and displaying their capacity and worth as PCDP
employees.
Throughout the trip the Palasi communities showed nothing
but their usual and heart given hospitality to us and I would
like to thank Moulana Umar for his support and pointing out
that Al-Qaeeda is also an NGO!!
Rab Nawaz, Programme Officer BDC
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