PANAJI
As registered cattle continue to roam unattended on the streets, creating a nuisance, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS) has announced that it will begin strictly enforcing its five-month-old notification regarding the impounding of cattle.
The department will also revoke subsidies granted to these cattle owners and impose fines as a deterrent.
Taking serious cognizance of the growing menace of stray cattle, the government had, on September 6, 2024, issued a notification warning that dairy farmers availing schemes such as Kamdhenu and Pashupalan would be debarred and blacklisted if any animals they purchase were found wandering in public areas or on roads.
While no registered cattle have been officially identified as straying or left unattended, AHVS Director Nitin Naik stated they continue to receive complaints.
“We have not found any registered cattle roaming unattended but complaints come in. Hence, we have decided to strictly enforce the notification, which includes revoking subsidies and imposing penalties on erring owners,” Naik told The Goan. The department is however yet to finalize the penalty amount.
Naik highlighted that several thousand Goans are beneficiaries of these schemes dating back to 2012. The scheme directs that dairy farmers and the general public ensure their cattle are kept under stall-feeding practices or any other management system that prevents them from straying onto public roads and spaces.
As per the notification, any unattended animal found on roads or in public places will be immediately impounded by the concerned authorities under the prevailing rules and regulations of the State.
“Despite this, some cattle continue to be left unattended. However, those accompanied by humans while on the roads will be exempt from penalties,” Naik added, on being asked about this possibility.
He further informed that AHVS officials have already been directed to impound stray cattle with assistance from nearest local NGOs. These cattle will be sent to gaushalas (cattle shelters) by the NGOs, who have been provided with vehicles by the department.
The department had earlier also stated that the number of stray cattle continues to rise despite regular impounding drives, which have led to traffic congestion and accidents including fatal ones in some parts of Goa.
