Image Library
-
Cows hold a special significance for many farmers here. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism – the religion practised by most of the farmers – and they are also crucial to the families’ livelihoods.
“The cows are family members,” says Khandar, as his son and sister milk one of the family’s dairy cows.
“They feed our children as they grow. And without them, our source of income stops.”His eyes fill with tears as he recalls a pregnant cow that died shortly after arriving at the camp in January, her stomach filled with dust: “I did not eat for more than four days.”
Farmers in the camp are surviving on an average of 10,000 rupees each month, or about $144, earned through the sale of cow’s milk. These earnings are just enough to meet their daily needs.
- Credits Maria de la Guardia/TNH
- Themes Environment and Disasters Climate change
- Regions Asia India