Battery recycling factory killing cattle in Phulbari

Fear gripped the cattle farmers of two villages in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur as 25 cows have died in a week of breathing difficulties and stomach ailments due to toxins released from a nearby battery recycling factory, veterinary experts and locals said.

At least 25 cows died in the last seven days, said the locals.

Villagers said the disease, which is still unknown to locals, is being spread from the battery recycling factory in the area.

The livestock experts have also said that the cows are dying due to the toxins released from the factory.

According to the locals, the incident was first reported on November 27.

The villagers of South Basudebpur and Moheshpur in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur said that ten cows of three families died in the two villages.

Md Badsha Mia of Basudebpur village said his three cows including a calf died on a single day on November 27.

Badsha said that the cattle were suffering from breathing difficulties and later they also developed stomach ailments. After suffering for a couple of days, they died.

"Within five days, all of my cows died", said Badsha.

Badsha claimed that his cows died due to ingesting the toxins released by the nearby battery recycling factory at the village. Like Badsha, other villagers also claimed the same.

The local village vet also echoed the villagers.

This correspondent visited the two villages recently and found that the battery recycling factory had been shut overnight as the news spread that cows were dying due to the toxic gas emitted from the factory.

None concerned of the factory could be reached for their comments.

Villagers said that the factory had been releasing toxic lead and acid in the air and on nearby grazing fields. The cows might have fallen sick after ingesting the grass mixed with toxic substance, said the villagers.

The whole area has become inhabitable for humans as well due to the factory, said the locals.

Shafiqul Islam of Moheshpur village said that more cows in these villages fell sick and were being treated there.

"The poor people rear cow as their asset and these families would incur massive financial losses for the incident", said Shafiqul.

He demanded that these poor families be compensated for their loss.

Dr Md Ahsan Habib, the Livestock Officer in Phulbari upazila, said that he visited the two villages recently and examined the infected cows.

"It seemed to me that these cows fell sick after inhaling the toxic fumes while grazing beside the battery recycling factory. As lead and acid are very lethal to the cattle," he said.

Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Reaz Uddin said that he was aware of the incident. Action will be taken after forming a probe body, he added.

Locals demanded that the local administration shut the battery factory permanently. Otherwise, they threatened to go for agitation.