A shocking audit of livestock fatalities in Punjab has laid bare a massive and largely unregulated network of carcass disposal sites, triggering urgent environmental action from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The data reveals a staggering scale of informal dumping that poses a severe threat to groundwater and public health.
A State Buried Under Animal Carcasses
The Punjab government, in an affidavit submitted by Science and Technology Secretary Priyank Bharti, has disclosed that more than 24,000 cattle carcasses are discarded every month across the state. These are spread over a vast network of 5,541 identified disposal sites, known locally as "hadda rodies." Alarmingly, the vast majority of these sites are managed by private individuals with no formal oversight or regulation.
The audit was ordered by the NGT following a petition filed by Army veteran Colonel Jasjit Singh Gill. His petition highlighted the stalled commissioning of a formal carcass disposal plant in Ludhiana, pointing to a systemic failure in managing biological waste.
The Stark Numbers Behind the Crisis
The report provides a rare, detailed look at the logistical nightmare of managing Punjab's livestock population, which exceeds 70 lakh (7 million) animals. The audit's key findings paint a concerning picture:
- Of the 5,541 dumps, only 24 are located within urban local bodies. The remaining 5,517 sites are in rural areas, where disposal is almost entirely informal.
- Punjab's 65 lakh cows and buffaloes are the primary source, generating the nearly 24,000 monthly carcasses.
- Ludhiana district leads in both cattle population (nearly 6 lakh) and monthly fatality rate, recording 2,206 deaths.
- Hoshiarpur district has the highest number of active dump sites at 660.
The state's calculations for carcass generation were modelled on established veterinary research from Maharashtra's Pune division, adjusted for Punjab's specific livestock density.
A Regulatory Vacuum and Environmental Peril
The NGT inquiry underscores a critical gap in India's rural infrastructure. While some urban centres are moving towards modern rendering plants, rural Punjab remains dependent on "private persons" to manage heavy livestock disposal at their own discretion. This unregulated system presents grave risks.
The tribunal has signaled that current methods are likely insufficient to prevent groundwater contamination and the spread of disease. It had previously demanded a detailed account of existing facilities to handle this volume of biological waste.
Following a multi-departmental summit on November 10, the state government is now under intense pressure to formalise its disposal infrastructure and end the era of unregulated rural dumping.
The Full Scope of Punjab's Animal Population
The affidavit also provided a comprehensive animal census, revealing the immense burden on the state's environmental health beyond just dairy herds:
- Primary Livestock: 25 lakh cows and 40 lakh buffaloes.
- Secondary Livestock: 5 lakh sheep, goats, pigs, and horses.
- Poultry: A massive 1.72 crore commercial poultry birds and 3.69 lakh backyard poultry.
- Stray Animals: More than 1.4 lakh stray cattle and over 3.3 lakh dogs.
This data highlights that the carcass disposal challenge is multifaceted and extends far beyond the dairy sector, requiring a comprehensive and scientifically sound waste management policy for the entire state.
