ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: High cost of sacrificial animals this year has dampened the enthusiasm of the people in making purchases, Dawn survey showed.

It has been seen that the prices of the animals are comparatively higher than those of last year.

Similarly, the number of sacrificial animals brought in the city from various areas this year is quite low.

The prices of goats and sheep are Rs5,000 and Rs4,000 respectively.

However, this year very short number of sheep have been brought in the market. Similarly, prices of oxen range from Rs10,000 to Rs40,000. Camel is available in the range of Rs15,000 to Rs30,000.

Talking to Dawn, a government employee said his salary was Rs5,000. “How can I purchase sacrificial animal,” he said.

Even if he bought a cheap animal, he would not be able to meet the budget of his family, he said.

Another person said if the prices of animals kept increasing with the same pace, very few people would be able to fulfil their religious duty in the coming years.

Talking to Dawn, the butchers said they had also increased their rates this year. Last year they demanded Rs300 to Rs500 per goat and sheep and Rs700 to Rs1,500 for an ox.

Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has allocated three places for setting up Bakra Mandis in Islamabad.

An official of the Authority told Dawn on Sunday that green belt areas in front of G-11/4, G-11/3 and I-11/3 had been allocated for the herdsmen to keep the sacrificial animals.

“If anybody is found selling sacrificial animals at any other place, he will be fined and his herd confiscated,” the official added.

An animal seller at I-11/3 market told Dawn that last year herds of oxen, goats and sheep were witnessed at every corner of the city a month before Eid. However, this year the district administration has directed the herdsmen to restrict their sacrificial animals within the three specified places.