Gurugram's bovines living in pitiable state

While the state government may have announced measures of their improvement, bovines' especially stray cattle of non-milch breed continue to live in a poor condition in Gurugram.

Cattle that are of less utility value are let off by their owners in the open as they refuse to spend money on their maintenance. More than hundred stray cattle can be seen daily feeding at the garbage site in Chakkarpur village situated alongside the posh Golf Course Road in the city.

Ironically, just a few metres away from the Chakkarpur garbage lies a private cow shed.

"We have a limited capacity in our cow-shed for accommodating these stray cattle. Further, it is also difficult to tame them. These cattle can be dangerous to the ones kept at the cow shelter home," said Shyam Yadav, in the charge of the cow shed in Chakkarpur.

Lesser green pastures in the city and fencing of Aravallis have resulted in most of the cattle starving to death. Strict directives have also been issued to most of the security agencies in the posh colonies to ensure that these animals do not enter the colonies.

As herds of cattle move along the busy roads in the city, there is a risk to the safety of not only the bovines but also to the commuters.

"There have been numerous occasions where I have narrowly escaped an accident because of the movement of the cattle at the Golf Course Extension Road. There is more risk to the safety of cattle moving on the busy urban roads.

Unfortunately, no one wants to find a solution to this challenge," said Rajesh Sethi, a commuter.

According to animal activist, Rajesh Yadav, "While there may be a lot of noise towards ensuring the protection of cows, on the ground, few citizens come out towards the betterment of the animals. Today ,funds are being collected in the city in the name of cows. Yet, the same citizens do not mind in making the cows consume garbage the next moment."

To meet the challenges of relocating stray cattle, the state government had announced that it will collaborate with various organisations to build cowsheds where these animals can be relocated.