Kathmandu. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment has transferred Rs 500 million to the Animal Services Department to provide compensation to farmers affected by bird flu.
The ministry has provided the funds to the department for the distribution of compensation for birds, eggs and feed destroyed in 11 districts where bird flu has been confirmed. The department had requested funds from the ministry to distribute compensation to farmers who suffered financial loss due to bird flu. The spokesperson of the department, Dr. Mukul Upadhyay informed that the disbursed amount will be provided as compensation up to 75 percent of the damage to the affected farmers.
According to the department, in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan and Nawalparasi, about seven lakh birds, 11 lakh eggs and three lakh kilos of grains were destroyed. Due to this, there was a loss of Rs 70 crore.
According to the Bird Flu Disease Control (Fourth Amendment) 2074, there is a provision to provide compensation up to 75 percent of the damage to the concerned owners after assessing the destroyed birds, bird products and bird products based on the details of verified damage.
The bird flu infection, which started spreading from the eastern region of the country since last March, is currently seen in 11 districts. Spokesperson Upadhyaya said that the birds, eggs and feed were destroyed to control possible infection as there was a risk that the form of the virus could change.
A bird flu disease control room has been established under the leadership of the deputy director general of the department for disease control. Control efforts are ongoing in coordination with the federation, state and local levels in areas where the disease has been observed.