Cow shelter project: Needed to be taken seriously

Badiadka: The animal husbandry department had initiated a shelter house for Kasargod breed cows with the intension of providing protecting the Kasargod breed and provide pure milk to the people in Bela, Kumaramangala in Badiadka municipality area.

The inauguration of the first phase of this project was done by state agriculture minister K.P Mohanan in 2013, Sep. 13. The compound wall and the office building was completed in the first phase. Speaking on the occasion the minster had said that the entire work will be completed within one year and about 100 cows of Kasargod breed will be nourished.

But a well begun project is now going on a snail’s pace. The appointment of staff hasn’t been done yet. Finance minister lament that there is financial problem for the appointment of staff in this cow shelter.

The government has spent Rs. 2 crore 40 lakhs to construct compound wall, office, ponds for drinking water, three sheds, pump set to lift the water, electricity and other works. The 6 acres of land was given by Badiadka village municipality. Officers have informed that the acacia trees grown in this region are creating obstacles in creating a grass land here. Hence the permission of forest department has been sought to cut these trees.

Cow breeds of Kasargod have medicinal power. The urine of the cow is used as effective medicine for cancer. The demand for Kasargod cows is on the rise. The price ranges from Rs. 15,000 to 50,000. There is an emergency to protect these breeds as the indigenous breeds of cows are vanishing swiftly.