Chandrapur bans movement of fodder out of district and state amid Trigger-1 drought

Transport of fodder has been banned in Chandrapur district. District Collector Vasumana Pant has issued an order under which carrying and selling dry and green fodder outside the district or outside the state is now prohibited.

The ban follows the declaration of Trigger-1 drought in 12 talukas of the district, made under a government resolution of the Maharashtra government's Relief and Rehabilitation Department. The district administration has taken the precaution to prevent a shortage of fodder later.

The administration said the fodder now produced in the district is likely to be sent in large quantities for sale in other districts and, from border areas, outside the state. If that happens, the district could face a serious fodder shortage in the coming days. This could endanger the lives of livestock and also raise a law-and-order question. The step has been taken in view of this.

The Collector's order strictly prohibits the transport and sale of green fodder, kadba, all kinds of kutti, bhusa, TMR and all other kinds of animal feed from the revenue limits of Chandrapur district to any other district or outside the state.

However, fodder transport under government schemes is exempt from the order. The ban will also not apply to fodder transport that the Animal Husbandry Department or the district administration has formally authorised.

Anyone violating the order will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The order has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. It is in force from October 1, 2026, until further orders.

The district administration has appealed to citizens, farmers, traders and fodder transporters to comply fully with the order so that the fodder needed for the district's livestock is preserved.