Last year, following an outbreak of glanders disease, the Rajasthan government had placed a ban on horses to be brought to the fair
After missing out last year, horses are back in the thick of things at world-renowned Pushkar Fair. Sale and purchase of horses are now expected to start again as buyers and sellers have started reaching the fair not only from within Rajasthan but also from outside the state. Last year, following an outbreak of glanders disease, the Rajasthan government had placed a ban on horses to be brought to the fair. The fear of the disease also resulted in a poor animal show at the fair. However, this year, tests were conducted on horses in advance and those tested negative were allowed to participate in the fair.
For decades, the fair is traditionally organised for sale, purchase and display of animals. "Hundreds of owners of indigenous horse breeds, particularly the Marwari and Kathiawar breed, take part in the fair in addition to owners of cattle, mules, camels and other animals. When last year's horse ban left the people disappointed, we had no other go as it was related to human and animal safety," said Laxman Rathore, director, Animal Husbandry department.
"The glanders disease outbreak occurred due to mules being used in brick kilns in Uttar Pradesh. They were brought to Dholpur for some work from where the disease spread to horses and then on to Udaipur and Rajsamand as well. Thus it was decided to not allow participation of horses at the fair last year," he said.
Interestingly, the gravity of the disease can be gauged from the fact that an Act, called the Glanders and Farcy Act, is dedicated to just the disease.
"We have got horses tested for glanders disease in advance. Tests have been done of those animals whose owners are looking to take part in the fair. Samples were taken of the animals which were then sent to our laboratories in Jodhpur and Jaipur. Around 1,000 horses have been found negative and thus they have been allowed to partake. However, half a dozen horses have been found positive for glanders disease and they have been banned from taking part in the fair," said Rathore.
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