Biggest cow sanctuary in Himachal to come up at Sulah

Our Correspondent

Advertisement

Palampur, September 2

The biggest cow sanctuary of the state will be set up at Nagni in Sulah of Palampur which will have the capacity to house 1,000 animals.

Addressing newsmen here yesterday, Vipin Singh Parmar, Speaker of the state Assembly, said the state government had already transferred 30 acres of land for this sanctuary in the name of state animal husbandry department at Nagni and also released Rs 4 crore for the first phase of this project.

Parmar said he visited the project site yesterday and performed a religious ceremony when first lot of 100 stray cattle was brought to this animal home. He said after three months no stray animal would be seen on the roads in the Palampur region. He said he had directed the animal husbandry department to complete the project in the next six months and start bringing stray animal in a phased manner to this animal shelter home.

He said the government would release more funds for the fencing of the area and construction of sheds so that stray animals roaming on the roads could be shifted to safer places. He said Kangra district had the highest number of stray animals in the state and having such animal homes was the need of the hour.

He said he had recently called up Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and suggested setting up of cow sanctuary near Palampur region on the vacant government land. Thereafter, the Chief Minister directed the district authorities to start a process and finally the land was handed over to the animal husbandry department for this noble cause.

Parmar said the number of stray cattle was rising every day in the state as cattle continue to crowd the streets, state roads and highways. They also are big accident hazard. Therefore, the BJP government had planned to set up shelter homes for the stray cattle all over the state.

Parmar also urged NGOs to come forward for the cause as the government would extend all assistance, including making land available. The state had adequate funds for this purpose.