Pune: As part of the ongoing efforts to support cow shelters across the state, the Maharashtra government has distributed ₹17.21 crore in grants to 135 eligible cow shelters under the Govardhan Cattle Service Center Scheme for the year 2023-24.
These shelters are spread across 324 talukas in 34 districts and have been waiting for this aid for the past year.
The grant is intended to support the upkeep and care of indigenous cattle, including cows, bulls, and oxen, regardless of their utility in milk production, agriculture, breeding, or load-bearing activities.
According to Shekhar Mundada, Chairman of the Maharashtra Cow Service Commission, and Dr. Sunil Suryavanshi, a non-governmental member of the Commission, a dedicated fodder production program has been initiated to ensure that the cattle receive the necessary feed.
The Maharashtra Cow Service Commission was established with the goal of preserving and conserving indigenous cattle breeds.
The distributed funds are intended to provide essential resources like fodder, water, and shelter for elderly and non-productive cattle that can no longer be used for agricultural or commercial purposes. The shelter managers have expressed relief as they had been waiting for the grants for over a year.
The roots of this scheme date back to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act of 1995, which banned the slaughter of cows.
In 2015, the law was amended to include a complete ban on the slaughter of all cattle, including bulls and oxen that were no longer productive in agriculture or breeding.
This legislative change led to a rise in the population of unproductive cattle, posing challenges for their care and management. In response, the state government introduced the Govardhan Cattle Service Center Scheme in the financial year 2017-18 to address the growing needs of these animals.
The recent grant distribution marks another step in the state’s commitment to supporting cow shelters in maintaining the welfare of these animals, which are seen as integral to both cultural and agricultural heritage.
