Rajasthan: Pushkar cattle fair begins today after 2-year gap

AJMER: After two years, the sand dunes of Pushkar will again resonate with grunts of camels and other cattle. But this time, there will be no foreign tourists to enjoy the international cattle fair which begins on Monday. More than 415 cattle, including 235 camels, will take part.
The state government has permitted to conduct cattle fair with some instructions. The cattle fair was cancelled in 2019 and 2020 due to Covid.
Many temporary shops have opened in the mela ground at Motisar Road where many farmers have come to buy and sell their cattle.
The district administration claimed that they have made arrangements for drinking water, electricity and cleanliness. It issued notice that only those who have received one dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be allowed to participate in the fair. The fair will remain open from 6am to 10pm. Extra police force is also deputed to maintain security.
Meanwhile, farmers from Nagaur, Barmer, Bikaner and other places have arrived. Most of them want to sell their cattle.
Sikha Ram Jat of Pali said that it is tough to breed camel as the demand decreased in last two years. The demand has been decreasing because camel is not allowed to transport out of state because it is declared as state animal.
Farmers with horses also started pouring in the fair and they are waiting for the buyers from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Animal husbandry department said that from Sunday, they erected the check-posts for the entry of cattle so as to keep the record of cattle participating in the fair.