the goan I network
MAPUSA
After a series of false starts, Calangute panchayat has once again decided to step in where angels fear to tread.
The coastal panchayat has decided to take the bull by its horn and appoint an animal welfare organization to impound stray cattle from all roads, beaches and public places in the jurisdiction of Calangute village panchayat from October 2.
“The panchayat has appointed Gomantak Gosevak Mahasang to catch/impound stray cattle from all the roads, beaches, fields, public places in the jurisdiction of the village panchayat Calangute and transport them to the Goshala located at Mayem, Bicholim,” said Shawn Martins, Calangute Sarpanch.
He said the panchayat has signed a memorandum of understanding with the animal welfare organization whereupon all the impounded stray cattle will be transported to the goshala located in Mayem.
“The pound keeper will take care of the cattle by providing them with fodder, water and shade. If required medical care will also be provided to the cattle by a veterinarian,” the sarpanch said in a public notice issued on Tuesday.
While the exercise to impound stray cattle will begin from 00:00 hours on October 2 onwards public have been requested to call Purshottham Prabhu Gaonkar on mobile no: 9049884177 whenever they sight stray cattle in public places.
The sarpanch has also requested all cattle owners in Calangute and neighbouring panchayats to ensure their cattle are tied or kept securely in their private properties and not let loose in the jurisdiction of village panchayat of Calangute.
He said the cattle will be released only after following the laid-out procedure of identifying the owner under The Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme, 2013, and issued an appropriate fine.
It may be recalled in 2017, former sarpanch Anthony Menezes had come out with a plan of fixing a microchip on the cattle to track its movement which would then felicitate impounding of the cattle.
“A decision has been taken to insert a microchip in the cattle to help track their movement in the village. If any cattle are found on the beach or on streets they will be rounded up and the owners identified and fined,” Menezes had then said.
But the plan never took off and cattle were found roaming aimlessly all around the beaches and streets of Calangute.
