Madhya Pradesh Government Announces Ambitious Plan to Eradicate Stray Cattle Menace
In a significant development addressing a long-standing issue, the Madhya Pradesh government has made a bold commitment to completely eliminate stray cattle from the state's roads within the next two years. This announcement came during a heated legislative session in Bhopal on Wednesday, where Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Farming Lakhan Patel responded to a 'call attention motion' raised by opposition members.
Opposition Highlights Severe Agricultural and Safety Concerns
The matter was brought to the forefront by former Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh and Congress MLA Kailash Kushwaha, who painted a grim picture of the current situation. Ajay Singh revealed that despite substantial financial allocations to the animal husbandry department, approximately 10 lakh stray cattle continue to roam freely across the state.
"These animals are causing extensive damage to crops and have become a major cause of road accidents," Singh emphasized during the assembly proceedings. He provided specific examples, noting that crops of arhar, gram, and wheat have been devastated by stray cattle in multiple districts including Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Gwalior, and Shivpuri.
The former opposition leader further highlighted the safety hazards, stating that herds of stray cattle frequently occupy highways in Bhopal and Raisen districts, leading to dangerous accidents. He called for immediate action, urging the government to "shift stray cows into shelters without delay" and construct modern, hi-tech facilities for their accommodation.
Singh also stressed the need for compensation to farmers who have suffered financial losses due to crop destruction by stray cattle, arguing that the state has a responsibility to address this economic impact on agricultural communities.
Government's Comprehensive Response and Policy Framework
Minister Lakhan Patel presented the government's multi-faceted approach to tackling this complex issue. He clarified that responsibility for stray cattle management is divided between the panchayat and rural development department in rural areas and urban administration bodies in cities.
The minister provided concrete data about current enforcement efforts, revealing that in 2025 alone, authorities seized approximately 78,153 stray cattle and imposed fines totaling Rs 25,58,753 on negligent owners.
Patel outlined the existing infrastructure, noting that 3,040 cow shelters are currently operational across Madhya Pradesh. This network includes:
- 2,325 shelters operating under the Chief Minister's Cow Service Scheme
- 703 shelters managed by non-governmental organizations
- 12 shelters administered by urban civic bodies
These facilities collectively house approximately 4.80 lakh stray cattle, demonstrating significant existing capacity.
The Establishment of Self-Reliant Cow Shelters Policy 2025
The centerpiece of the government's strategy is the newly formulated "Establishment of Self-Reliant Cow Shelters Policy 2025." This ambitious initiative aims to transform cow shelters into independent, sustainable entities while simultaneously addressing multiple related challenges.
Key components of the policy include:
- Land Allocation: A minimum of 130 acres will be designated for each independent Kamadhenu Niwas cow shelter, with capacity to accommodate at least 5,000 bovine animals.
- Financial Support: The daily maintenance allowance per cow has been substantially increased from Rs 20 to Rs 40, providing better care for sheltered animals.
- Employment Generation: The policy specifically aims to create job opportunities through shelter operations and related activities.
- Improved Management: Enhanced systems will be implemented for more effective handling of stray cattle populations.
Minister Patel expressed confidence that this comprehensive approach would yield tangible results. "After new cow shelters are constructed and all arrangements are finalized in the coming two years, stray cattle will completely disappear from our roads," he asserted. "I guarantee that after this period, not even a single cow will be visible on Madhya Pradesh's roadways."
The government's announcement represents a significant commitment to addressing both agricultural protection and road safety concerns while implementing a sustainable solution for animal welfare through innovative policy measures.
