First centrally funded cow sanctuary in his constituency, Union minister busy seeking fodder donation

Stray cattle have become a big problem in Uttar Pradesh, as they damage crops and attack people. As per the 20th Livestock Census of 2019, the state has 11.84 lakh stray cattle. In the Muzaffarnagar district, the figure stood at 3,207.

“There has been a change in the behaviour of stray cattle, particularly bulls. They roam around in groups and attack people. Therefore, some solution had to be found. This is why we conceived the idea of a gau abhyaranya (cow sanctuary), where all stray cattle can be housed,” said Balyan.

The sanctuary is situated at the Tuglakpur-Kamhera village under the Purkaji block of the Muzaffarnagar district. (Photo source: Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying officials)

The Muzaffarnagar MP said eight cattle catchers have been roped in to catch stray cattle and the sanctuary will be inaugurated formally in the next few days. “No stray cattle will roam around in the Muzaffarnagar district after January 30,” Balyan said.

Situated at the Tuglakpur-Kamhera village under the Purkaji block of the Muzaffarnagar district, the sanctuary has been built with funding of Rs 64 crore from Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), a centrally-sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.