The Narendra Modi government on Monday submitted its report to the Supreme Court on cow protection and smuggling of cattle across the India-Bangladesh border. The report proposed for all cows across India to have a Unique Identification Number for tracking.
The central government told the apex court that it was the responsibility of all states to take care of abandoned animals. The report was prepared by a committee headed by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"Each district should have a shelter home of capacity of at least 500 abandoned animals. Will help reduce smuggling," the report said adding that special care should be provided for cattle which cross their age of milking.
The BJP-led government also said in the report that it is considering a proposal to constitute "cow sanctuaries" in every state. These would be similar to the tiger sanctuaries that have been created to protect the endangered animal. The aim of these "cow sanctuaries" would be to end cow slaughter in the country.
"We need to stop cow slaughter, but the biggest stumbling block is who will take care of these cows. We need to make cow sanctuaries for this, and need to make arrangements for fodder also. Each state should have cow sanctuaries. Then we will be successful in stopping cow slaughter," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir had said last week, Deccan Chronicle reported.
Ahir added that a 'Project Cow', which would be similar to 'Project Tiger', could be started as it would also stop farmers from selling off old cows.
