Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, July 30: With Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday, the sale of sacrificial animals is unimpressive in Valley and traders are staring at heavy losses due to COVID 19 this year. The usual hustle and bustle associated with the festival, which will be celebrated on 1st August, is missing from the markets of Kashmir.
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The traders said only a few people are buying the sacrificial animals and they had never witnessed such a low business before Eid. With the result, they said, the prices have fallen by around 50 percent as compared to last year.
“Rates are down. We are unable to fetch the desired price. We rare these animals with such a hard work throughout the year and bring them here to fetch a good price on Eid. Usually, we earn well. However, the situation is different this year. I am not sure whether I would be able to sell half of my stock,” Ali Mohammad, a trader told Daily Excelsior.
Mohammad, who hails from the Rajouri area of Jammu, is on a seasonal migration to Kashmir valley along with his flock and family. Many Gujjars and Bakarwal families earn their livelihood by rearing the sacrificial animals throughout the year and sell them on Eid-ul-Azha in Kashmir. They move between Jammu and Srinagar regions bi-annually in search of greener pastures.
Many traders like Mohammad find it difficult to sell their animals which they had reared for the occasion. “I had reared around 100- sheep and goats for Eid this year, but would not be able to sell them as people are scared to visit markets due to COVID 19,” Abdul Hameed, another trader said, adding following low demand he slashed rates, but only manages to sell 10-15 sheep.
However, Mehrajudin, general secretary of All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, said the slump in business is because of the two back-to-back lockdowns that the valley witnessed since 5th August last year when the Government revoked Article 37o. “People have no money. How will they buy the sacrificial animals? The business would not be more than 50% this year,” he said.
Director CAPD, Basheer Ahmed, told Excelsior that the demand is low due to the Pandemic. “People are not buying the way they used to buy,” he said, adding that they have made the livestock available across the Valley with around 12 markets designated for the purpose in Srinagar alone.
The people are also restricting the number of animals they used to sacrifice. “We used to sacrifice five sheep to distribute among relatives and neighbors besides keeping some parts for ourselves. That is not possible this year so we have decided to restrict the number to one to fulfil the religious obligation and cover only our neighbors,” Umar Mushtaq, a resident said.
Not only the people dealing with sacrificial animals, businessmen dealing in bakery, readymade garments, and sweets that usually used to witness high demand ahead of Eid are fearing huge losses as well.
Another distraught shopkeeper said although they have opened the markets, the customers are missing. “Eid is just two days away and buyers are absent. Even the business hub- Lal Chowk is deserted. Bakery shops are also closed. Our business is suffering immensely,” Mehraj Ahamd, another shopkeeper said.
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