Banni animal fair attracts maldharis from across India

Prospective buyers from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan besides all over Gujarat attended the fourth animal fair at the Banni pasture on Saturday.

The fair, one of the biggest in Asia, attracted visitors interested in the bovine population that Kutch is known for.

Over 600 cows, buffaloes and horses were sold in the fair at Hodako village.

Inaugurating the fair, minister of state Vasan Gopal Ahir said, "Animal husbandry has been the mainstay of the economic and social life of this area that thrives with its own unique culture."

He also stated that the state govt had earmarked Rs2 crore for the development of a large bovine population in the district.

Banni leader Mirkhan Mutva urging the state government to give revenue district status to the area, said that his people could only prosper if the government changes rules allowing them to own land in the area both for housing and agriculture.