MAPUSA
Calangute Panchayat has embarked on a task which many have tried and failed. But Sarpanch Anthony Menezes has different plans and vowed to make Calangute stray cattle free and achieve the distinction of becoming the first village in the State to do so.
From fixing a microchip on the cattle to track its movement to impounding the livestock and issuing fine to errant owners to dispatching the impounded cattle to Kalay farm, the local body has decided to take a series of steps to curb stray cattle menace in the village.
"Calangute thrives on tourism. Can anyone imagine cattle roaming aimlessly on the beach with the dung all over the place?" Menezes asked.
He said the panchayat has taken it as a mission to make the beach and all roads in the village stray cattle free.
In a recent meeting with all stakeholders, a decision was 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. The mechanism of lifting the cattle is in place," the sarpanch said.
He said all cattle owners were requested not to leave their cattle loose and help the village panchayat to make it stray cattle free.
He further said that in spite of all the measures, if cattle were found roaming on the beach or the streets, they would be immediately impounded and lodged in especially designated open place in the village.
Menezes informed that a prominent citizen has agreed to temporarily offer an open space at least for a year to house such cattle.
The impounded cattle will be kept in the open space for two weeks and after that, transferred to the Kalay farm.
"The owner will have to pay a fine of Rs 4,000 for one week and Rs 6000 for the second week. After two weeks, the cattle will be sent to the Kalay farm," Menezes informed.
The sarpanch of Calangute appears to have a task on hand and if he indeed
succeeds, it will be a record
of sorts.
