Impact of Flood on Livestock Farming and a Possible Solution to Reduce the Suffering of Livestock in the Haor region of Bangladesh

Abdullah Al Bayazid; Anas Bin Harun; Muhammad Mustakim Billah; Marya Afrin; Md Zulfekar Ali; Mirza Mienur Meher

doi:10.5455/JRVS.20250220104116

Abstract
The Haor region of Bangladesh is an ecologically critical area that accommodates a large percentage of livestock farmers of the country. Exposure of this region to southwest monsoon and water flow from Indian hilly areas cause surface runoff and consequent flash floods from June to November. Flood leads to sickness, stray and death of animals, and as an adaption strategy, selling, all of which leads to halting the livestock farming and associated economic damage. Another challenge is the scarcity of feed and fodder, as the green grass on which livestock primarily feed is submerged during the flood. The scarcity of clean water is also a major issue in livestock rearing. However, an effective policy that integrates modern technology with indigenous knowledge and customs can alleviate the negative impacts to reduce the vulnerabilities of livestock in Haor during the flood. Herein, this study focuses on the idea of cooperative livestock shelters with proper housing, feeding, disease management, and feasible marketing and transportation of animals and animal products which could be a pivotal portion of that policy. Moreover, the concept of cooperative livestock shelters as a control measure to tackle the situation is outlined here which can be adapted widely with optional further improvement and engineering.

Key words: Flood, Haor, Livestock, Cooperative Shelter, Farming