KATHUA, Sep 23: Despite the presence of several gaushalas spread across hundreds of kanals of government land in Kathua, cattle continue to be seen wandering along roads in search of food and water, raising concerns over the management and utilisation of these facilities.
Manuj Kesar, Chairman, Samarpan Setu Foundation, said Kathua has around five to six gaushalas, including a facility established by the police to shelter cattle rescued from alleged cattle smuggling activities. He said such facilities were established with the objective of providing protection, shelter and care to cattle in distress.
Kesar questioned whether the intended purpose of these gaushalas was being fully achieved when considerable numbers of cattle continued to remain on roadsides and public spaces. He said stray cattle were often seen searching through garbage for food, while also facing a lack of adequate water and exposure to traffic-related risks.
He said the continued presence of cattle on busy roads was a concern not only from the perspective of animal welfare but also because of the possibility of road accidents involving motorists and pedestrians.
Kesar called for a review of the functioning of existing gaushalas and better utilisation of available government land and infrastructure. He stressed the need for adequate arrangements for fodder, drinking water, shelter, veterinary care and regular monitoring so that cattle requiring protection could be housed and cared for properly.
He also urged the concerned departments and local authorities to assess the capacity of existing gaushalas, maintain proper records of cattle housed there and ensure that facilities are equipped to meet the basic requirements of the animals.
Kesar said a coordinated mechanism involving the administration, municipal authorities, gaushala management committees, animal welfare organisations and local residents could help address the issue more effectively.
He appealed to the authorities to take concrete measures to prevent cattle from being left to fend for themselves on roads and ensure that the available facilities serve their intended purpose.