UP wants Gen Z to join its cow protection drive as ‘Go Mitras’
The initiative is part of the UP government’s plan to move cow protection beyond shelter management and link it with rural livelihoods, natural farming, women’s self-help groups, green energy, and employment.
To involve the young generation, especially Gen Z, in the cow protection programme, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is planning to train around 10,000 ‘Go Mitras’ (Friends of cows) across villages to sensitise youngsters about natural farming and the social and economic role of cattle in rural areas.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Go Seva Commission, the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to move cow protection beyond the management of shelters and link it with rural livelihoods, natural farming, women’s self-help groups, green energy and employment.
“The village-level campaigns will seek to familiarise children and young people with indigenous cattle breeds, cow care, among others. For this, master trainers will be trained first, who will subsequently train others at the village level. People already interested in cow protection and service will be given preference,” said Shyam Bihari Gupta, the chairman of the UP Go Seva Commission.
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Uttar Pradesh has over 7,500 cow shelters, housing over 12 lakh stray cattle, according to the commission. The government recently increased the daily maintenance assistance for each cow from Rs 30 to Rs 50. Most shelters have also been equipped with CCTV surveillance.
Officials maintained that the government’s objective is to provide safe shelter to stray cattle while reducing crop damage caused by cattle roaming in agricultural fields.
Meanwhile, the government is also seeking to leverage the state’s large livestock base and its position as the country’s leading milk-producing state to generate additional rural income and employment.
Officials said that cow shelters would be linked with local industries for promoting economic activities based on cow dung and cow urine at shelters, including cow-dung logs, cow-paint, vermicompost, incense sticks, planters and lamps.
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“Products such as panchgavya, ghanamrit and jeevamrit are also being promoted,” said an official.
Not only this, the women’s self-help groups are also being encouraged to participate in these activities to create local employment opportunities.
Further, the Go Seva Commission is also planning an assessment of cow shelters across districts to identify activities suited to local resources and conditions. For instance, districts with greater potential for biogas production could focus on energy generation, while others could develop units for organic manure, cow-dung products or cow-urine-based products.
The broader objective, officials said, is to develop cow protection as a component of the rural economy and create additional sources of income in villages.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
