Bangladesh does not have as many cattle as it requires for its population. It needs a huge number of cattle for Eid-ul-Azha. On the other hand, India, a large country, has a huge number of bull and ox as the Indians usually rear cows to get milk. An easy formal trade of bull and ox between the two countries can help Bangladesh meet its need of cattle heads. In the absence of formal trade, hundreds of bulls and oxen are smuggled from India to Bangladesh regularly. Whereas both countries have been engaged in formally importing and exporting other items, the government may think of initiating a proposal for easy and formal import of cattle from India, especially from its seven sister states. If formal import of cattle from the seven-sister states of India is introduced, smuggling of cattle will definitely be reduced to a negligible quantity. Rearing oxen and bulls is a costly affair for the Indians with no financial return. On the other hand, Bangladesh will be able to meet its demand for cattle heads. Killing people at border will be stopped which will improve relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Under these circumstances, I would like to urge the governments of Bangladesh and India to introduce easy cattle trading from the seven-sister states to Bangladesh as soon as possible.
Md Ashraf Hossain
8/A, Ramna, Dhaka-1000
mah120cb@yahoo.com
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