Uttarakhand govt offers up to Rs 12,000 per month to shelter stray cattle

The Uttarakhand government has launched two new schemes aimed at managing stray cattle in rural areas, offering financial incentives to individuals and cow shelters for providing care. Officials said the move is intended to protect crops, improve road safety, and ensure proper welfare for the animals.

Dr Yogesh Sharma, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Pithoragarh, said stray cattle pose a significant problem to farmers and communities, damaging crops, creating traffic hazards, and causing hygiene and safety concerns. To address this, the Gram Gaur Sevak Yojana allows rural households to shelter up to five male stray animals , with a payment of Rs 80 per animal per day. Beneficiaries keeping five animals can earn up to Rs 12,000 per month , along with free healthcare for the cattle. Currently, six people in Pithoragarh district are availing of this scheme.

The second initiative, Gaushala Yojana (Cow Shelter Scheme) , targets registered cow shelters or individuals who can house any number of stray cattle. Payments of Rs 80 per animal per day are provided, while shelters take care of feeding and medical needs. In Pithoragarh, two cow shelters in Munsiyari and Barave currently provide food and shelter for 225 stray animals .

Officials noted that while these schemes provide crucial support, scaling them up could face challenges, including funding sustainability, infrastructure limits, veterinary care shortages, monitoring issues, and safety concerns while handling male cattle.

The programs aim to remove stray cattle from roads and fields, safeguard farmers’ livelihoods, and promote animal welfare in rural Uttarakhand.