Ground reality of promises to build cow shelters (gaushala) in MP

In their 2023 election manifesto, the Madhya Pradesh Congress vowed to increase cow subsidies in shelters, modelled after Chhattisgarh's provisions. This includes buying cow dung for Rs 2 per kilogram and constructing another 1,000 cow shelters. This has once more brought the issue of cow welfare to the forefront of Madhya Pradesh politics. As a result, we made visits to shelters in Sehore and Bhopal to assess the existing conditions and to better understand the issues faced by these cow shelters. Furthermore, understand the prevailing plight of stray cattle in Madhya Pradesh.

Possession of cattle on the road

In the city of Bhopal, the stretch of road between Kolar and Ratibad is busy with stray cattle. This road encounters more cattle than vehicles. Vehicles that traverse this path often blare their horns for extended periods before giving way to the meandering cattle. Such scenes are prevalent in multiple cities across the state.

Unfortunately, some people have lost their lives to accidents instigated by the abrupt appearance of cattle on the road, and equally, the cattle get injured in the process. Madhya Pradesh's roads are the second most deadly in the country after Tamil Nadu. The National Crime Records Bureau report noted 49,493 accidents in the state in 2021. Yet despite the rapid surge in the stray cattle population, progress in the construction of shelters to house them has been disappointingly slow.

The 2019 animal census indicates that there are approximately 18.9 million cows in Madhya Pradesh, with 900,000 considered stray and 300,000 housed in over 2000 cow shelters governed by the state. The remainder is often found wandering the streets, as dairy farmers typically release cows once their milk production ceases. These displaced bovines then roam from one location to another in search of sustenance.

Due to religious convictions, cow slaughter is prohibited in Madhya Pradesh, leaving the task of providing shelters and barns for these animals to the city administration and village panchayats. Unfortunately, only a handful of social organizations manage to oversee these facilities effectively on-ground.

Pandit Mohit Ram Pathak, director of Shri Ram Gaushala in Sudesh Nagar of Sehore city, comments.

“This Gaushala has been operating for the last 20 years, where injured and sick cows are treated and cared for. Our capacity is to keep 100 cows. Currently, 88 cows are here, and they have been brought from different parts of the city after accidents or injuries.”

Katha Vyas Mohit Ram Pathak says “The only way to protect and take care of cows can't be cow shelters. People will have to take cows from the roads and take care of them in their homes. People can make garages to keep their cars, then why not place for one cow.”

Cow fodder becomes expensive

In Chandbar, located 28 kilometres away from Sehore city, a cowshed is home to 230 cows. Some of which are brought in from the Sehore municipality. Hiralal Bhagat, the caretaker at the Chandbad Gaushala, shares further information.

“If we keep more cows here than our capacity, then there will be chaos. So, we keep only as many cows as we can serve well. Cow fodder has become expensive in the last few years, we have bought straw for Rs 1000 per quintal. There is also a serious problem with water in this area. In summers, the borewell dries up so we have to bring water from far away. If we get help from the administration and society, we will be able to rear more cows here.”

Hiralal Bhagat comments on the governmental grant of Rs 20 per cow, stating that although there are occasional delays, the support ultimately protrudes from the authorities. However, Shriram Gaushala, in Sudesh Nagar, Sehore, does not qualify for such a grant due to its lack of official registration.

Nandini Gaushala, located on Kolar Road, is administered by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in an area recognized as a tiger range. Those operating the Gaushala report that it is serviced by two dedicated families, ensuring the cows' well-being. Notably, the facility accommodates cows not only brought by individual residents. But, also those sent occasionally by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation.

"Thanks to the financial support we receive from the Sangh, our cow shelter functions efficiently. Unfortunately, the aid we receive from the administration is minimal. The government granted us the land for our cow shelter. However, due to certain circumstances, the land allotment process was left incomplete, which in turn, prevented us from obtaining permission for permanent construction."

The lack of fodder, lack of water, lack of money and lack of resources remains big problem in the management of cow sheds.

Union Transport Ministry's initiative on road-roaming cattle issue

The Union Transport Ministry has repeatedly issued directives to the state government to curtail accidents caused by stray cows on the roads. Yet, the local administration's indifferent attitude continues to pose a significant issue. Certain districts in Madhya Pradesh have initiated a unique measure of applying reflective radium to cow horns, aiding drivers in spotting these animals in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the National Highway Authority of India has undertaken the task of constructing a cow shelter in collaboration with private entities.

In 2022, the Shivraj administration allocated Rs 200 crore towards the welfare of cows. Furthermore, in 2020, they instigated the formation of a dedicated Cow Cabinet aimed at cow protection. Nonetheless, despite these impressive measures, it is still a common sight to see cows wandering about freely on the roads of every city in Madhya Pradesh.

Farmers' crops are getting ruined

The primary victims of damage caused by stray cattle are indeed the farmers. These animals frequently feed on their mature crops, thereby precipitating significant economic losses. Certain farmers from Sehore have resorted to releasing cows into the adjacent Delawadi forest in a bid to safeguard their yields. However, the forest department eventually removed these cattle.

The state has long experienced a demand for the establishment of Gauthans (open grazing lands for cattle), yet a decision remains pending on the matter.

Pandit Mohit of Sehore Shriram Gaushala says that

"The responsibility falls on ordinary individuals to protect the lineage of cows. It's wrong to exploit cows solely for their milk. Cow dung, and urine; these components are beneficial. If efforts are made to create products from these materials, people will generate an income and simultaneously aid cow conservation."

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