Ranchi, July 15: While politicians and bureaucrats of undivided Bihar were allegedly busy making money out of fodder, no body cared for poor animals. Now, the the Jharkhand government has woken up and has decided to go for an animal census. The last census took place 21 years ago. "The cattle census will be completed by October this year. The Deputy Commissioners of all the 22 districts have been directed to provide manpower and facilities required in the census of animals," said a senior official of the Animal Husbandry Department. "The cattle census will be completed by October this year. The Deputy Commissioners of all the 22 districts have been directed to provide manpower and facilities required in the census of animals," said a senior official of the Animal Husbandry Department. Moreover, the exact number of animals living in Jharkhand, smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh, deficiency of milk in the State and other things have been taken into account to go for a census. "Every five year the census of animals should take place. But it has not taken place for last 21 years. And the Animal Husbandry department generally registers 10 per cent growth of animals every year without conducting the census," said another official of AHD. He said, "In absence of data of animals the projects related to fisheries, dairy and other things are not implemented properly," the official said. The State still depends on Bihar for milk. According to an estimate, Jharkhand produces only 40 per cent of milk required by the State. The officials find themselves embarrassed if asked about the exact number of any animal in the State. The animal census will work on number of heads of a particular animal, and number of breeds of particular animals found in the State. The census officials will move door to door and collect information.
The census officials will also try to find out the sick animals and stray animals. Cattle smuggling is another menace that is thriving in the State. Last week, the State police captured 158 cows loaded in eight trucks in Dhanbad district. Even AHD official privately admit that cattle smuggling is rampant in the State and every year thousands of cattle are smuggled to Bangladesh.

The census of animals will also help the State Government in making budgetary provisions and welfare of cattle programme. An official of AH department in a lighter vein said, "The ministers and officials of undivided Bihar were engaged in eating fodder of animals. That's why census was not conducted for a longtime".