Major bird flu crisis in Maharashtra.

Lakhs of chickens to be culled, stuffed in sacks and buried in pits, eggs also to be destroyed... Major bird flu crisis in Maharashtra; operation in 5 days.

Bird flu has resurfaced in the state. After reports from three poultry farms in Navapur came back positive, the culling process of nearly 1.40 lakh chickens has begun.

Bird flu has once again raised its head in the Navapur area of Nandurbar district, and the administration is now in action mode after the H5N1 virus was detected. Following positive reports from three poultry farms in Navapur, the process of culling approximately 1.40 lakh chickens has started. Along with this, lakhs of eggs will also be destroyed, which is likely to cause losses worth crores for poultry business owners.

In the Navapur area, about 12 lakh chickens are raised across a total of 27 poultry farms. The business has flourished on a large scale because the environment is suitable for poultry. However, concerns have grown as chickens from seven poultry farms are now set to be culled. These chickens are being stuffed into sacks and buried in the ground. Lakhs of eggs are also being destroyed. Initially, a panchnama of the affected poultry farms is being conducted, after which each chicken is being culled in a scientific manner.  

After a sudden death of chickens on the 14th at Diamond Poultry Farm in Navapur, samples were sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for testing. Once bird flu was confirmed, the administration accelerated its action.

Compensation to be provided by the government.

It will take about five days to complete the entire culling process, and 25 teams have been formed for this. Additional manpower has also been called in from other districts. Meanwhile, samples from other poultry farms are also being sent for testing.  

To provide relief to poultry business owners, the government has announced aid: ₹140 for a large bird, ₹120 for a small bird, and ₹4 for each egg as compensation.