Director SHD Dr. Iftikhar inaugurates Livestock Centre at Temisgam, reviews sector growth

KHALTSI: Director, Sheep Husbandry Department, Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed insulated prefabricated building at the Livestock Development Centre (LDC), Temisgam, and reviewed ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the livestock sector in the region.

The inauguration coincided with an awareness programme organised under the National Livestock Mission (NLM), where Dr. Hussain underscored the importance of scientific livestock management and sustainable farming practices to improve productivity and rural livelihoods.

Addressing livestock rearers and farmers, the Director highlighted the financial and technical assistance available under the National Livestock Mission for modernising the livestock sector. He advocated integrating livestock rearing with organic farming, stating that efficient utilisation of animal manure can enhance soil fertility while promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Earlier, Block Officer, Khaltsi, Dr. Atiya Kausar, conducted a technical session on the prevention and management of contagious diseases in small ruminants, emphasising timely disease surveillance and control to minimise livestock losses.

The programme was attended by former representatives of Tia–Temisgam, the Nambardar, livestock rearers and progressive farmers, who interacted with departmental officers on government schemes and scientific animal husbandry practices.

Later, Dr. Hussain called on Deputy Commissioner, Sham District, Kunzes Angmo, to review the status of the Sheep Husbandry sector in the district. The meeting focused on strengthening livestock development programmes, improving service delivery and exploring measures to support sustainable growth of the sector across Sham District.

The visit formed part of the department’s continuing outreach to promote scientific livestock rearing and expand infrastructure for livestock services in Ladakh.