The State government has distributed ₹3.01 crore as compensation to 65 duck farmers who suffered losses following a recent bird flu outbreak in the district.
The compensation distribution was inaugurated by Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani at Karichal St. George Orthodox Church Parish hall on Saturday.
Ms. Chinchurani said that several duck farmers in Kuttanad had suffered huge losses due to avian flu. “When the bird-flu outbreak was reported, both the State government and respective local self-government institutions acted promptly. It helped check the spread of the disease. The government has been able to provide compensation in a time-bound manner,” the Minister said.
Avian flu (H5N1) had been reported in eight grama panchayats in Alappuzha. The outbreak was first reported in ducks at Kunnumma South (ward 10) in Thakazhy grama panchayat on December 8, 2021. Later, the outbreak was confirmed in Nedumudi and Karuvatta on December 14. It was followed by cases in Purakkad, Cheruthana, Ambalapuzha North, Pallippad and Veeyapuram grama panchayats.
As many as 1,11,217 ducks died or were culled following the outbreak. Besides, 41,959 eggs and 10,902 kg of feed were destroyed as part of containment measures.
Thomas K. Thomas, MLA, presided.
