The district and upazila administration has taken a special initiative to sell salt in Sundarganj, Gaibandha, to prevent waste of the hides of sacrificial animals. On Wednesday (28 June) afternoon, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Masudur Rahman sold salt at the Mirganj market. Buyers were handed the salt in bags carrying Eid greetings from the Gaibandha district administration.

Upazila administration sources said many hides are spoiled because proper preservation procedures are not followed, wasting a national resource. The special initiative was therefore taken, in line with Cabinet Division instructions, to ensure hides of sacrificial animals are properly preserved.

Salt sale points have been set up at the cattle markets, where salt is being sold at Tk 25 a kg.

Welcoming the initiative, buyers said they had never bought salt for hides this way before. If they suddenly needed it and could not find it, they faced trouble. "Now we're taking salt because it's close at hand," they said.

Salt buyer Ariful Islam said hides of sacrificial animals are often spoiled because of a shortage of salt. The administration's initiative will reduce the waste of a valuable resource like hides.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Masudur Rahman said it takes several days for hides from remote areas to reach the tanneries in Dhaka. "So we are encouraging people who buy cattle to buy salt as well to preserve the hides."

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad-Nur-e-Alam told Jago News that special meetings had been held with all market lessees and instructions given. "We are monitoring the matter and giving the necessary support. We will also keep watch on Eid day so that no sacrificial hides are spoiled in any way."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.