The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department would provide financial support to registered private Goshalas from the current year in order to ensure proper food and shelter to stray cattle.
The State has a total of 26 such Goshalas and they are now facing a daunting task of feeding rescued and stray cattle. The new State scheme would provide support to the uncared animals sheltered at the private Goshalas, said department Secretary Bishnupada Sethi.
“The animals provide economic and social security to human beings. But the advances in bio-chemical and mechanical technologies have weakened the synergy between livestock and crops. Unproductive animals are not given adequate care and attention. Therefore, an urgent need is felt to rehabilitate these old, destitute and stray animals to ensure prevention for cruelty to them,” said Sethi
The Government financial assistance can meet part of their total expenses for running the Goshalas. The registered Goshalas willing to avail assistance under the scheme are required to apply to the concerned Chief District Veterinary Officer in a prescribed pro-forma, the Secretary said.
An amount of Rs16 lakh would be available to a Goshala for maintaining 100 adult cattle units per annum, according to the plan.
The by-products of Goshala such as the cow dung, urine and Panchagavya (cow milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung) can be used as medicines, manure, disinfectants, organic pesticides. In-situ conservation of indigenous cattle breeds of Odisha can also be taken up by some Goshalas in the native tract, Sethi said.