Jorhat, Sept. 27: A large number of cattle has died from suspected pesticide poisoning in the Meleng-Boguriguri area under Teok revenue circle in Jorhat district in the past week.

Jorhat deputy commissioner R.C. Jain said according to the report received by him, 39 cows had died of pesticide poisoning.

“The cattle had consumed water and grass from fields which had accumulated pesticides because of waterlogging from recent rains,” Jain said.

Probin Neog, veterinarian at Kakojan, said the cows and buffaloes had been feeding on vegetation deficient in nutrients and drinking polluted water in a 100 square km area, which had been waterlogged for the past month.

“The stagnant water had become extremely polluted in the area and cattle were feeding on grass which was deficient in minerals and vitamins, and therefore dying,” Neog said.

He denied that the deaths were because of any infectious disease. “The monsoons were especially heavy this year and Teok river and Mudoi and Kakojan rivulets have inundated a vast area which is still under water. The water from the large number of tea gardens had also drained down to the fields from the slopes, making matters worse,” he said.

Neog pointed out that the natural outlet at Amlokhisiga, which drains out to Lakhimijan, and then to the Brahmaputra, had become blocked because of water hyacinth and ipomea.

The veterinarian said even fish and frogs had died and people whose cattle had died had let the animals rot in those waters, compounding the situation.

The veterinary department had been holding animal health camps at Boguriguri in the past few days but the supply of quality feed was in scant supply. “We do not have so much quality feed at hand to feed the entire population of cattle in the area,” Neog said.

The places most affected are Mohkhuti, Dhari Gaon, Kamar khatual, Garual Gaon, Hatui Gaon, Kakojan, Jhanjimukh, Boralimora, Bogoriguri, Amlokhisiga, Rongdoi Gaon and Bongaon.