AHVS Deptt officials visit Rangpo following pigeon death reports

GANGTOK, 16 Jan: Following the death of pigeons in Rangpo Bazaar reported in local newspapers in the past few days, officials of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services from Gangtok inspected Rangpo Bazaar today. The officials also held a meeting with Rangpo Nagar Panchayat vice-president, Pushpa Mishra, regarding the issue.
AH&VS Director, Dr T Lucksom, AH&VS Deputy Director, Dr SM Rai and staff of Rangpo AH&VS accompanied by Ms Mishra surveyed the area and inspected the pigeons. The team has also taken live pigeons as samples for lab tests.
Dr Lucksom urged the people of Rangpo not to panic as it is not avian flu but a parasitic infection. Informing that pigeon samples have been taken to the departmental laboratory to ascertain the cause behind the deaths, he again urged the people not to panic and added that there is no big threat to humans.

Pigeon deaths get Singtam deliberating on civic scenario of town

GANGTOK, 26 May: A meeting was organized by Sikkim Motor Transport Workers Association, Singtam branch at Marwari Dharmsala. The main objective behind the meeting was to spread awareness regarding the impact of filth in and around the bazaar area that is affecting human and livestock health, informs a press release. The concern has spiked in light of the abnormally high mortality being observed in pigeons here.
The meeting was presided over by Dawa Sherpa and conducted by president Basibiyalo Samity, Mohan Pradhan. During the meeting, Newar Guthi president, TP Pradhan, expressed that choked drains and water logging is causing the breeding of insects like mosquitoes and other ectoparasites [believed to be responsible for pigeon deaths here]. Old houses that have pigeon nests are difficult to clean he added. He further requested all participants to extend all possible help to Para Vet of VH Sirwani in the control and containment work on pigeon deaths.

Deptt starts ectoparasiticidal spraying in Singtam to combat pigeon deaths

GANGTOK, 25 May: The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service Department has started an ectoparasiticidal spray programme in Singtam after a number of pigeon deaths were reported in the area.
Noticing the proliferation of insects and other ectoparasites in the pigeon nests at Singtam, a team of para-veterinarians from Sirwani Veterinary Hospital have been deputed to ensure the complete elimination of ectoparasites which are believed to be the main cause behind the pigeon deaths here.
With the special support of  Sikkim Motors Transporters Association, Singtam president, Tinku Adhikari, vice president, Mohan Lal Rai, general secretary, Norden Tshering Tamang, office secretary, Bhaichung Tamang, Sikkim Bihari Jagran Manch Singtam president, Pradeep Sharma and Fire department, Singtam after taking permission cleaned all the areas  used by pigeons for shelter.

Singtam meeting discusses pigeon mortality worry

GANGTOK, 23 May: A daylong meeting was organized at Singtam Bazaar in the office of Sikkim Motor Transport Workers Association on 20 May to discuss the unusually high mortality of pigeons in Singtam and devise ways to contain this disturbing trend.
The meeting was presided over by Bhainchung Tamang, office secretary of the association and co-chaired by Pradeep Sharma, president of Singtam Bihari Jagaran Manch and attended by representatives from all over Singtam Bazaar. Dr. DS Tewari, Joint Director, Research Wing, of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department and PP Pokhrel from Veterinary Hospital, Sirwani, were present as resource persons.
Before the meeting, the team visited houses with pigeons nests and where high mortality has been reported.
An official press release informs that the team analyzed the situation of these more than 50 year old buildings and collected some sick pigeons for treatment.