As Stray Cow Menace Grows UP Govt Announces Cow Census

Uttar Pradesh in a move aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of stray cattle on the state's roads, the Yogi Adityanath-led government of Uttar Pradesh has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive cow census. The initiative seeks to ascertain the precise number of cows in the state and develop strategies for managing stray cattle while implementing welfare schemes for their benefit.

The last livestock census in the country was conducted in 2019, marking the 20th such census overseen by the central government. The next national census is expected to take place in 2024.

The Uttar Pradesh government's forthcoming cow census will be conducted in three priority categories, as outlined by the government. These categories encompass cows in poor condition that are being reared by cattle rearers, cows residing in Kanha Upavan, and the abundant population of cattle roaming freely on the state's streets.

Stray cattle have posed a significant challenge in Uttar Pradesh, leading to an increase in accidents and road congestion. To address these issues, the government will initially focus on counting cows as part of the first phase of the plan. Subsequently, an action plan will be formulated to provide suitable shelters for these cows.

A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated, "While the government is dedicated to cattle conservation through Kanha Upvan, equal emphasis is laid on safeguarding cows that roam on the streets to prevent any inconvenience to the common people and farmers."

According to data from the 2019 livestock census, Uttar Pradesh had more than 1.90 crore cows, with 62,04,304 classified as milch cows and 23,36,151 as dry cows. In the same census, approximately 11.84 lakh stray cattle were reported in the state. However, this number has since increased. Currently, 11.89 lakh stray cattle, comprising both male and female animals, are being sheltered in 6,889 destitute cattle breeding sites. Additionally, around 1.85 lakh cows have been handed over to individuals (Gau Sevak) under the 'Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana.'

The Uttar Pradesh Government provides financial support of Rs 50 per cow for the maintenance of cattle in destitute cattle breeding sites, marking an increase from the previous Rs 30 per cow.

To facilitate the cow census and better manage these cattle, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the counting of cattle falling within the three priority categories, along with the geo-tagging of all cows. Geo-tagging will enable the government to effectively track and manage the cattle population, thus alleviating road congestion caused by stray cattle. It will also aid destitute centers in locating lost, deceased, or misplaced cattle, making the task of counting and record-keeping more efficient.

In 2012, a similar cattle census reported a nationwide total of 190.9 million cattle. By 2019, this figure had increased by 1.34%, reaching 193.46 million cattle in the country. The upcoming cow census in Uttar Pradesh is expected to offer valuable insights into the state's cattle population, facilitating more effective management and welfare initiatives.