On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, sale of sacrificial animals begins in Dhaka’s makeshift cattle markets. Traders are bringing sacrificial animals by trucks and trains to the capital from different parts of the country for sale.

Meanwhile, buyers have complained that sellers are seeking exhorbitant prices for their animals. But, sellers are not paying any heed to the buyers’ complains.

Visiting different makeshift cattle markets in the capital on Sunday, it was found that there was adequate supplies of sacrificial animals of different sizes. Buyers were entering the markets from the morning. They were choosing animals and bargaining over prices with the sellers. However, buyers were seeking higher prices compared to the sizes of their cattle.

“Traders are asking higher price this year,” said Mohammad Lablu, who was visiting Basila cattle market on Tuesday.

A large number of cow, goat, sheep, camel, dumba and buffalo were seen in the cattle markets on Sunday. Many buyers were also seen visiting the markets while some also bought cattle.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have leased out 18 cattle markets in the city. Cattle are also being traded in Gabtoli’s permanent cattle market.

The 18 cattle markets—eight makeshift including Gabtoli cattle market in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) area and another 10 including Sarulia cattle market in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area — have been set up in the capital.

To check the spread of coronavirus, the government has launched online platform throughout the country for selling sacrificial animals through the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry.

DSCC’s makeshift cattle markets are located at open fields adjacent to Institute of Leather Technology at Hazaribagh and Postogola crematorium, Meradia bazar, Dolaikhal truck terminal, Aftabnagar (Eastern Housing) Block-E, F, G, H, Section-1 and Section-2, DSCC market at Golapbagh, Uttar Shahjahanpur, Khilgaon railgate area, Donia College area, Dhupkhola east and Club area and Rahmatganj Club area in Lalbagh.

DNCC’s nine cattle markets are located at Eastern Housing (Aftabnagar) Block-E at Badda, Section-3, Kawla Shialdanga, Eastern Housing section-6 Mirpur Ward -6, Uttarkhan Moinartek Shahid Nagar Housing (residential) project area, Brindaban to BGMEA open space at Uttara sector -17, Bhatara (Sayeednagar), Rajdhani Housing at Basila in Mohammadpur, Shawpnadhara Housing and Basila Garden City and Jamuna Housing Company area.

Regarding enforcement of tighter health guidelines, Rasel Sabrin, Chief Estate Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said all out preparations have been taken to ensure coronavirus health guidelines in the cattle markets.