Williamnagar, June 12: Former Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Denang T. Sangma, has urged the East Garo Hills district administration to relocate the government poultry farm situated in the heart of Williamnagar town, citing potential public health and biosecurity risks.
In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of East Garo Hills, Sangma called for the immediate shifting of the poultry farm to Akelgre, where land has already been acquired and partial infrastructure developed for the purpose.
He argued that the existing poultry farm is surrounded by key public institutions, including schools, government offices, markets and educational institutions, making it vulnerable in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza or other poultry-related diseases.
“The presence of a poultry farm in a densely populated urban area poses a serious risk to public health and safety,” Sangma stated, warning that any disease outbreak could affect students, government employees, businesses and residents.
The former GHADC chief cited global and national outbreaks of bird flu, noting that highly pathogenic strains have caused large-scale culling of poultry and economic losses in several countries. He pointed to past outbreaks in India, including Kerala and West Bengal, where authorities were forced to destroy thousands of birds and impose containment measures.
Sangma also highlighted concerns about the economic impact of a potential outbreak, arguing that a disease incident in Williamnagar could disrupt poultry supply chains, affect local businesses and force authorities to undertake extensive containment operations within the municipality.
According to the memorandum, relocating the farm to Akelgre would create a biosecurity buffer zone, allowing authorities to isolate and manage any future outbreak more effectively while reducing risks to residents and public institutions.
He said the proposed site at Akelgre is better suited for poultry operations and urged the administration to expedite the long-pending relocation process in the interest of public safety and environmental protection.
Copies of the memorandum have been forwarded to the District Husbandry and Veterinary Officer, the Chairman of the Williamnagar Municipal Board, local MLA Marcuise N. Marak .
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