Prayagraj: Prayagraj has launched a campaign to clear its roads of stray cattle while ensuring safe shelter and care for them. The district currently leads the region with 36,673 cows housed across 130 shelters.In fact, cow shelters are being set up in each district, providing fodder, water and medical care to the animals. Dr Anil Kumar, additional director (animal husbandry), Prayagraj division, said that as many as 79,350 stray cattle are sheltered in the division’s 346 cow shelters, including 130 in Prayagraj. Similarly, 77 cow shelters are being set up in Pratapgarh district, closely followed by Kaushambi (76) and Fatehpur (63), housing around 42,667 cattle. He said that steps have been initiated to ensure that no cattle be seen on roads.Besides, stray cows are being handed over to farmers and cattle rearers. Govt provides financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month per cattle to cattle rearers, which promotes animal husbandry and helps reduce the number of stray animals. Merely ensuring the construction of cow shelters does not fulfill govt’s responsibility to protect the cattle. Govt has drafted a robust system for regular monitoring and round-the-clock surveillance of the cattle there.Dr Kumar explained that control rooms for digital monitoring are established at 324 cow shelters in the Prayagraj division. Night-vision CCTV cameras are installed at 121 cow shelters in Prayagraj, 63 in Fatehpur, 64 in Pratapgarh, and 76 in Kaushambi. These shelters are now under 24×7 surveillance. This effort led to the systematic development of facilities such as cattle sheds, clean food and drinking water, drainage systems, straw storage facilities, treatment rooms, lighting, and solar lighting.The Yogi govt is continuously making efforts to protect and promote the welfare of stray cattle in the state.
