Tilwara cattle fair starts on the banks of Luni river

Jaisalmer: The Mallinath Tilwara Cattle Fair was inaugurated on Saturday late evening on the banks of Luni river by Barmer district collector Lok Bandhu and SP Digant Anand. Cattle rearers and businessmen from across the country have shown interest in purchasing cattle.
More than 1,100 horses of different breeds were put up for sale in more than 200 stalls .
The fair started with a maha yagya and flag hoisting at Nij Temple. According to fair officer Vinay Mohan Khatri, 435 camels, 1115 horses and 5 bulls along with businessmen, farmers and cattle rearers from Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh are taking part in the fair.
On the other hand the fair has been affected by the textile industry in Balotra and Jasol. According to pollution redressal and environment conservation samiti secretary Om Prakash Saini, the fair is organised on the banks of Luni river where the textile industries directly discharge the waste directly into the river without treating it. With no other option, the cattle have to drink water from the polluted river. Many animals become sick due to which cattle rearers have now lost interest in this fair,leading to less number of footfall.