Animal Husbandry Minister Kusum Mahdele has advised cow keepers and owners for proper protection and upkeep of their cows. She said that they should keep their cows in enclosures and do not let them stray here and there. leaving cows outside and not giving them place on one’s own premises is a matter of concern. Cow keepers and owners should realise importance of cow progeny in our routine life and economic improvement. Ignoring protection and upkeep of cows is insult to entire cow progeny.

Mahdele said that cows and calves can be made healthier by feeding them well. She expressed surprise as to why cow owners shun responsibility to serve cows. Cows will neither be slaughtered nor smuggled if cow keepers and owners protect and take care of the animals. Therefore, it is necessary that a proper place should be reserved for cow in the house. They should take care of cows properly and not let them stray outside. Such inspiration should also be given to others.

Mahdele informed that there are 628 Gaushalas to preserve Indian cow progeny in the State. Besides, cow sanctuary has been established at Salariya in Agar district where 5,000 animals of cow progeny can be accommodated. She said that efforts to protect cows by Government cannot be fruitful until society participates in it. She said that Gopal Puraskar and Vatsa Palan Protsahan Yojana are under implementation in the State.

Under Gopal Yojana, awards and incentive money are given by organising block, district and State-level competitions of indigenous breed of cow progeny. Under Vatsa Palan Yojana, not only keepers of cows with maximum milk yield are awarded, but assistance amount is also given for two years to breed calves of high genetic qualities. Apart from promoting cow keepers, these schemes also serve as best means to collect database of animals of high genetic qualities, she added.