The objectives of the department are to increase milk, egg and meat production , improve breeding coverage, conservation and propagation of indigenous livestock breeds, 100% vaccination coverage, strengthen veterinary health care with promotion of mobile veterinary services at farmer’s doorstep, minimize the gap of availability and requirement, promote poultry sector, to promote livestock security in the farm of livestock insurance, promote small ruminant for additional income generation. Besides the above the department is also instrumental in conservation of destitute govansh and rehabilitation, health management etc.
The use of male cow calves now at minimal requirement to farmers because of heavy mechanization in the agriculture. Besides that the low yielding cow which are non-profitable are burden on farmers to rear. Because of that the cow and its progeny are not being liking by farmers to rear therefore, the farmers free them as destitute cow. These destitute govansh are creating menace to farmers and are cause of road accident too. In context to that the state Government promulgated the policy for temporary establishment of gaushalas and their management vide GO # 4324/37-2-2018-5(53)/2018 Dated January 2nd ,2019. The objective was to address the burning issue of destitute cattle in villages, local bodies , Gram panchayat , Shetra panchayat , Jila Panchayat and Municipal Corporations in the State . The policy directives were issued vide GO # 261/37-2-2019-5(53)/18 Dated 28 Jan ‘2019 /January 2nd 2019 according to which guidelines were issued regarding creation of temporary establishments for destitute cattle . These directives laid out the following –
Definition of destitute cattle
Activities related to establishment of temporary establishment for destitute cattle
Identification of land and its transfer for such establishments
To make the identified land suitable for use
Arrangement for drinking water, Lighting , security , Veterinary care ,Feed & Fodder ,Housing and environment , Flooring ,treatment
Arrangement of taking care of the calf/calves, labour , record keeping , documentation
Formulation of process after the uneventful death of any animal
Arrangement for making the gaushalas self-sustainable and financially viable
Arrangement for sale /handover of such livestock to local farmers
Arrangement of budget for upkeep of such animals housed in gaushalas
Procedure and action for ensuring that animals are not left out as destitute
These directives are a noble initiative taken by the State Government towards effective management of such gaushalas The State Government has made adequate financial provisions ( Income and expense ) for the establishment , management and operations of such temporary establishments for the first time in the country .No efforts were made by the erstwhile Governments for conservation of such destitute cattle .
The Government is extremely sensitive towards this initiative and is actively monitoring the activities and the progress. Currently, the farmers have received a big relief due to rehabilitation of destitute cattle and this initiative is being further strengthened with active participation from fellow inhabitants of the village. Cattle are integral to the society and it should not be viewed from the political dimensions. Different Departments of the State are working to ensure effective conservation of the destitute cattle.