Minister lays stone of cow sanctuary

Our Correspondent

Una, July 7

Rural Development and Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar laid the foundation stone of a cow sanctuary in Beetan village of Haroli Assembly segment here today. A sum of Rs 2.87 crore will be spent to develop the sanctuary on 540-kanal plot.

Kanwar said six sheds would be constructed to provide shelter to 500 stray cattle. The HP State Industrial Development Corporation would complete the civil works in three months, the minister added.

He claimed that in the past four-and-a-half years, around 20,000 stray cattle had been provided shelter. He said additional space to provide shelter to 5,000 stray animals was being created.

The minister said the government was providing a monthly grant of Rs 700 per animal to the sanctuaries to ensure fodder and medical assistance for the animals. These efforts by the state government had significantly brought down the rate of accidents caused by stray cattle. Besides, the move will prevent destruction of standing crops by these cattle, he added. HPSIDC Vice Chairman Ram Kumar was also present.