Slump in the sale of sacrificial animals

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns over the past year have weakened the people financially. At the same time, it seems not only difficult but impossible for people to buy sacrificial animals at the unreasonable prices of cattle owners and butchers.

Hyderabad: Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. Animal sacrifices are offered on this Eid, which is why it is also called Bakra Eid. Markets are set up everywhere before Eid for buying and selling animals. But due to the economic crisis and arbitrary prices, the purchase of animals is declining this time.

During these days, there used to be a lot of activity in the bazaars. There was also a lot of excitement about buying sacrificial animals. But these days we don't see anything like that. There are different breeds of sheep and goats available in the markets for sacrifice but there are no buyers.

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns over the past year have weakened the people financially. At the same time, it seems not only difficult but impossible for people to buy sacrificial animals at the unreasonable prices of cattle owners and butchers.

The administration has banned the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals on the side of the road in view of Coronavirus, while the sale of animals has been allowed in certain places following proper guidelines.

With only one week left for the festival, markets have been set up in only a few places in the city and Bakarwals (nomad shepherds), along with their herds, are nowhere to be seen. The nomads, who make a living by raising sheep and goats, are very upset due to the significant shortage of buyers. Kothidars and Bakarwals say the prices set by the government are too low.

The Department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution has fixed the prices of sacrificial animals at Rs 260 to Rs 285 per kg. But the animals are commercially being sold between 300 and 350 per kg.