Margao: Residents of Zambaulim on Wednesday demanded the closure of the Dhyan Foundation-run gaushala in their village within 15 days, alleging poor sanitation, pollution and a lack of transparency in its functioning.The demand came a day after authorities began shifting cattle from the demolished gaushala at Deusa to a govt-authorised facility in Bicholim.Around 200 residents, led by former Quepem Municipal Council chairperson Dayesh Naik, staged a protest outside the gaushala. Naik alleged that the foundation had operated the shelter for the past 11 years without disclosing details of its functioning to the municipal council, despite an agreement between the two parties. Residents expressed concern over the unhygienic condition of the facility, alleging that cattle brought there from across Goa were routinely released back onto the streets within two days, increasing the risk of disease. Responding to the allegations, the Dhyan Foundation said it was the only organisation in Goa providing round-the-clock rescue services for cattle and other animals across the state. It maintained that it had never turned away a rescue case, even from outside its designated area, in more than a decade of service, and warned that shutting down gaushalas would leave rescued cattle with nowhere to go.Naik said residents would intensify their agitation if the Zambaulim goshala was not relocated within 15 days.
