The camel-market in the Pushkar fair is being set up and prepared for, even after the imposition of a ban. A few days ago, 30-40 camels reached Pushkar, and the number has now gone up to 300. After Diwali, the arrival of animals in Puskar has increased, and groups of camels are reaching the town. In the meantime, animal-keepers have suggested that the Pushkar fair flag will be hoisted on November 1, and they will leave by that time after selling and buying the animals.
The camel-keepers reaching Pushkar despite the ban in place can become a big challenge for the administration. Due to the outbreak of the lumpy virus disease, the administration had decided that the Pushkar fair will not have the animal fair this year, and the camel-keepers who did not receive this information, have reached the town.
SDO Sukharam Pindel has said that all the animal-keepers will be made to understand the situation and the animals will be sent back, for which, on the directions of the collector, a committee of 3 members has been created.
Expecting that the administration will allow the animal fair to take place, animal-keepers are cleaning the bushes in the new fair ground of Pushkar and are making their makeshift settlements. Due to the ban on animals, this year, no arrangements have been made for either the animals or the animal-keepers by the Department of Animal Husbandry, and the administration has also not made the basic facilities for them available, and that is why, the animal-keepers are troubled. The biggest problem is the availability of potable water for which are the animal-keepers are moving 0.5-0.75 kms on foot.
Many camel-keepers are of the opinion that if they have reached the ground, they will stay as well, customers have started arriving as well, and if the administration forces them to leave, they will leave after the Pushkar Snan, but currently, everyone is present in the town. One camel-keeper said that many more were coming to Pushkar from Barmer, Chittorgarh, and Bhilwara, while some were enroute to the town. He added that the administration arranges for water for the camels only, which can be done by the keepers themselves.
