Dimapur pig farm owners face crackdown over carcass dumping, with incinerators, CCTV and barricades mandated to prevent river pollution.
DIMAPUR — Pig farm owners have been given three months to install incinerators or carcass disposal machines after dead pigs and offal were repeatedly found dumped in Lingri River near Burma Camp, Dimapur.
The direction was issued at a meeting on August 31 involving the Niu Colony Council, Rainbow Colony Council, United North Block-B, the chief veterinary officer (CVO) and piggery farm owners.
The three colony councils expressed serious concern over the dumping, saying it was causing foul smell and public nuisance. They also raised concerns about contaminated floodwater entering residential areas during the rainy season, potentially exposing residents to skin infections and other water-borne health problems.
According to the resolution, the farm owners or pig traders admitted to improperly disposing of dead pigs, acknowledged the public-health and environmental consequences and expressed regret.
Following the meeting, the councils, in consultation with the CVO, directed the three farm owners to install an incinerator or disposal machine within three months. The owners were also directed to install high-quality CCTV cameras covering key areas of their piggery farms, particularly places where pigs are kept, handled and disposed of, to ensure monitoring and accountability.
They have been given one week to install strong iron barricades around their farms or designated disposal areas to prevent dead pigs from being thrown, carried or otherwise disposed of into the river.
Until the disposal equipment becomes operational, the farm owners have been directed to identify suitable sites outside residential areas and away from the river and other water sources for the safe disposal or burial of dead pigs, subject to applicable rules and approval from the competent authorities.
The owners have also undertaken not to dump dead pigs or offal into the river, drains or any public area under any circumstances.
Also read: ‘FNTA is no separation’: Rio assures Article 371A will remain untouched
The resolution further stated that pigs intended for human consumption must be slaughtered only at the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC)-authorised slaughterhouse under the supervision of the DMC or competent authority. Slaughtering pigs at farms or other unauthorised locations for market supply has been prohibited.
The CVO clarified that the stockyards are privately owned, while ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections during slaughter fall under the DMC’s Veterinary Public Health Cell. Trade licensing of pig traders also comes under the DMC.
The CVO further emphasised that safe and hygienic disposal of pig carcasses and offal is the responsibility of stockyard owners or pig traders and the DMC’s Veterinary Public Health Cell, as applicable.
Licence review
The farm owners were informed that despite possessing the required licences and permits, continued non-compliance or any repeat dumping of dead pigs into the river or other public areas could invite action by the authorities concerned and the DMC.
According to the resolution, the councils may approach the authorities and press for strict action, including review, suspension, cancellation or revocation of existing licences, permits and trade licences, as permissible under law.
The councils also warned that failure to comply with the undertaking or any recurrence of improper disposal could lead to further lawful action, including public agitation or protest.