Drass, May 16, 2026/ VOL News Desk/ Deputy Commissioner, Drass, Imteeaz Kacho today inaugurated the Community Fodder Land Development Project of the Sheep Husbandry Department along with Director, Sheep Husbandry, UT Ladakh, Dr. Iftikhar Hussain; District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Kargil, Dr. Niyaz-ul-Hassnain; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Drass, Vishal Atri; LAHDC-Councillor Upper Drass Constituency, Abdul Samad and LAHDC-Councillor Lower Drass Constituency, Abdul Wahid at Azuri in Pandrass, Drass. Officers and staff of the Sheep Husbandry Department and local residents were also present on the occasion. The event was organized with an aim to strengthen livestock farming and improving rural livelihoods in the region.

During the event, agricultural tools and fencing wire as well as seeds were distributed among inhabitants of Azuri locality in order to facilitate effective implementation and management of the project. The inhabitants appreciated the initiative and expressed gratitude to the UT Administration and Sheep Husbandry Department for taking up the developmental project in the area. The villagers also projected various development-related issues.

While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner threw light on the need for resorting to agricultural practices, rearing livestock and utilizing the available natural resources in Pandrass Village. He urged the residents to take full advantage of the Sheep Husbandry Department’s initiative by generating self-sustaining livelihoods. He assured the public that their issues with be taken up with the concerned departments for early resolution.

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The Director, Sheep Husbandry also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the need for multi-department coordination for scientific and effective implementation of the Community Fodder Land Development Project. He sought intervention of the District Administration in this regard. He added that he has inspected the available infrastructure and office spaces of the Sheep Husbandry Department in Drass from the perspective of establishment of District Offices in Drass District and found them to be adequate.

The District Sheep Husbandry Officer enlightened the gathering about the project and spoke at length about the potential for livestock development in Drass. He sought full support and participation of the local residents for turning Drass into a self-reliant producer of livestock and fodder. He further stated that the project is being implemented by the Sheep Husbandry Department during the current financial year at an estimated cost of ₹31.25 lakh. The initiative will cover 25 hectares (500 kanals) of land and aims to enhance fodder availability, promote sustainable livestock farming and strengthen the socio-economic condition of the rural population dependent on animal husbandry, he added.