Rijiju advocates saving livestock and animals during disasters

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju today said in times of natural disasters, focus should also be on saving livestock and animals apart from shielding human lives as animals are important for the rural agrarian population.
"Normally the focus is on saving human lives during emergencies. But we forget that the very survival.... especially in rural areas....Is directly linked to cattle and livestock. The focus should be on saving animals also," Rijiju underscored.
During Inauguration of a training programme on 'Management of Animals in Emergencies' here organised by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Rijiju pointed out the importance of Yaks for people in high altitude places who depend on the animals for multiple use of food, clothing and transportation.

The minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also cited the importance of the large semi-domesticated bovine Mithun (gayal) in the tribal society of his state for social rituals.
"The people in the urban areas are fed by those in rural areas where the people's very survival at times depends on the domestic animals," he pointed out.
"It is the Constitutional obligation of every citizen to protect wildlife and animals," Rijiju said, adding, "we need to sensitise people right from school level to post-graduation.
"The approach towards disaster management needs to change in terms of prevention, preparedness and mitigation. When a disaster strikes the focus must be on providing immediate response and relief", he said.