LAHORE, Feb 11: Cropping up of unauthorized sacrificial animals markets and the traders moving about in all parts of the provincial metropolis with their animals have created serious sanitation problems.

The City District Government had specified 25 spots for the sale of sacrificial animals to ensure that the traders looking for the customers did not create sanitation problems by parading their herds in all parts of the provincial metropolis. The step was also aimed at ensuring availability of the animals at fair prices at the specified places due to competition among the traders.

Nazimeen and councillors of towns and union councils, however, sabotaged the plan by allowing the establishment of unauthorized markets of animals and free movement of vendors with two to four animals in all parts of the provincial metropolis after charging unauthorized fees. The practice was also encouraged due to arrival of animals in large numbers in view of good earnings made by the traders due to the supply of animals falling short of demand on Eidul Azha last year.

Sale of sacrificial animals had been allowed only along the Wahdat Road but the whole of the colony had been turned into a market. The animals were also being sold along the Punjab University Road and Allama Iqbal Town main boulevard.

Sacrificial animals were also being sold along the Bund Road, Chowk Yateem Khana and Multan Road Scheme Morr. The Dharampura Bazaar area had also been converted into an animals market. Unauthorized markets had also been established at Daroghawala Chowk in Shalimar Town Shadbagh, Data Nagar and Karim Park in Ravi Town and Vegetable market in Nishtar Town.

The City District Government has arranged the distribution of 300,000 polythene bags in the city district through the Solid Waste Management sanitary workers for disposal of the offals, intestines and other waste of sacrificial animals on Eidul Azha. As many as 400 pickups have also been hired for two days for distribution among 150 union councils in the city district for the collection and disposal of the bags containing the sacrificial animals waste.