Jaisalmer municipal council buries over 500 dead cattle after public outrage

JAISALMER: The Municipal Council has started the process of respectfully burying the bodies lying in the open by sending JCB machines to dig pits.Following widespread public outrage and extensive media coverage over the discovery of more than 500 dead cows lying in the open at the Municipal Council’s dumping yard on Ramgarh Road, around 7 km from Jaisalmer district headquarters, the administration swung into action.The contract of the bone disposal contractor has also been cancelledTaking immediate cognisance of the matter, Jaisalmer Municipal Council Commissioner Lajpal Singh Sodha directed council teams to rush to the site. In view of growing public anger, JCB machines were deployed to dig large pits and begin the respectful burial of the carcasses lying in the open. The contract of the bone disposal contractor has also been cancelled.Jaisalmer District Collector Anupama Jorwal has sought a factual report regarding the incident. Simultaneously, Municipal Commissioner Lajpal Singh Sodha issued a notice to the contractor responsible for lifting dead animals and disposing of bones and hides, seeking an explanation for the gross negligence.Officials stated that the decomposing carcasses had created a serious risk of pollution and public health hazards.

The Municipal Council’s contractor later used JCB machines to remove and dispose of the dead animals from the dumping yard.Commissioner Sodha said that upon receiving information about the extremely serious matter, teams from the Municipal Council’s Public Health Branch and sanitation inspectors immediately reached the site. Acting on instructions, JCB machines were deployed without delay and deep pits were dug to bury all dead cattle and other animal carcasses with due respect and in accordance with regulations.The action helped provide relief to nearby residents from the foul smell and contaminated environment spreading across the area.The Commissioner further stated that a strict show-cause notice has been issued to the contractor handling the lifting and disposal of dead animals and animal remains.The Municipal Council administration has made it clear that if a satisfactory reply is not received, the contract will be terminated and the security deposit confiscated.He said negligence in throwing dead animals in the open at the dumping yard would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The work had been awarded to contractor Goparam through an open auction for the financial year 2025-26, but rules were allegedly violated.Officials added that if the contractor’s explanation is found unsatisfactory, action will also be initiated to blacklist him.Notably, the issue came to light on Sunday after local cow protection activists recorded videos of the dumping yard and circulated them on social media. The viral videos triggered public outrage and caused panic within the administration. Following the escalation of the matter, disposal of the carcasses continued late into the night.