Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday directed the officials to take proactive measures to make Haryana a stray animal-free state.
Khattar, presiding over a review meeting with the officials of Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog and Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department, emphasized the need to establish formal agreements with social and religious organizations willing to manage gaushalas (cow shelters) on Panchayat land. In addition, special grants will be allocated to gaushalas willing to accommodate extra cattle.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of tagging all livestock in the State to comply with regulations, enabling the identification of animals from other states. He also mentioned that a letter would be sent to the Central Government to provide guidelines for other states to implement animal tagging. The initial phase of the campaign will focus on clearing Gurugram, Hisar, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Karnal and Panipat districts of stray animals, followed by other districts in the State.
Khattar said that the people should be encouraged not to abandon cattle when they stop producing milk and instead entrust them to gaushalas, where their care will be assured.
The meeting disclosed that gaushalas receive an annual grant of Rs 7,000 per animal for fodder. The Aayog has received proposals from 91 gaushalas in Haryana willing to accommodate additional cattle. It is also informed that Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog to eliminate stray animals in Haryana.
The Chief Minister said that the Animal Husbandry Department should form a monitoring cell at the headquarters level to monitor the gaushalas.