The Department of Livestock Services has taken all-out preparations to ensure supply of 1.09 crore sacrificial animals to meet the domestic demand in the country during Eid-ul-Azha, claimed officials.

"The fisheries and livestock ministry is completely ready to make sure supply of 40 lakh cows and 69 lakh goats and sheep,” said State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chanda.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister M Saedul Haque told the news agency that most of the cattle would come from domestic sources and a good number of cows would be imported

from Myanmar.

Narayan Chandra said the fisheries and livestock department had started paper work at union and village levels so that healthy cattle abound in the Eid markets. The import of cows from Myanmar has already started, he said.

There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals because the country has enough, the state minister said. "We are now focusing on keeping the supply chain functional, so farmers and traders can bring their cattle to markets without hassles."

According to the statistics of the fisheries and livestock ministry and the industries ministry, now the country has 2.5 crore cows and buffaloes, and 2.88 crore goats and sheep.

The huge stock of domestic cattle can comfortably meet the demand without depending on import from neighbouring countries, said the state minister.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday urged all concerned not to hamper medical services blocking roads to hospitals by setting up cattle markets in surrounding places on the occasion.

He made the request during a meeting with lawmakers of Dhaka city and directors of hospitals at his ministry.

Nasim also requested the lawmakers, who are chairmen of hospital managing committees, to monitor activities of respective hospitals routinely.