Soon, plan family functions at cow shelters
LUCKNOW: If you are looking for a venue to organise a family function, the UP Gau Sewa Ayog has a suggestion.
Be it a birthday party, marriage anniversary, family get together or matchmaking meeting, the Gau Sewa Ayog will provide space for it in its upcoming gaushalas (cow shelters) being constructed in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. “We have launched the campaign to motivate people to visit cow shelters and celebrate family functions there,” chairman of Gau Sewa Ayog Rajeev Gupta said.
“The aim is to associate the people with cow service along with celebrating family or social events,” he said.
Gupta said the Ayog had also urged the people to adopt a cow, calf or bull. “Those willing to adopt the cattle will have to deposit ₹11,000 per annum at the cow shelter concerned,” he said.
“Various government departments such as animal husbandry, agriculture, panchayati raj, forest, minor irrigation, rural development and revenue have been directed to work for the estab- lishment of cow shelters. The campaign will promote cow protection and generate employment as well,” he said.
To resolve the issue of stray cattle in the state, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had, in a meeting held in December last year, directed the officers of 16 municipal corporations to set up cow shelters to protect the bovines. The CM said a cow protection committee would be set up in districts under the chairmanship of the district magistrate concerned.
“After the CM’S instruction, the Gau Sewa Ayog started working on a plan for cow protection. According to an estimate, there are 10,000 stray cattle in each district. In seven districts of Bundelkhand region, the number is around 20,000-25,000,” Gupta said. He added that besides municipal corporations, nagar palika parishads, nagar panchayats and zila panchayats had also been directed to set up cow shelters in their respective areas.
“MLAS and MLCS have also been urged to contribute funds for cowshelters from fund. The state government is also working to generate fund from various central government schemes,” Gupta said.