Team Herald
MAPUSA: In a bid to solve the stray cattle menace, the Village Panchayat of Calangute has appointed Gomantak Gosevak Mahasang from Bicholim to impound stray cattle loitering around and creating inconvenience within the jurisdiction of Calangute on Monday.
The village panchayat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gomantak Gosevak Mahasang wherein all the stray cows caught or impounded will be transported to a “Gaushala” located at Sikeri-Mayem in Bicholim. The Calangute panchayat has requested all cattle owners not to let loose their cattle.
These stray cattle have been causing accidents as well as leaving cow dung all over the place. Cattle spotted on the roads, beaches, fields and other public places in the jurisdiction of Calangute will be transported to “Gaushala” with effect from October 2.
The cattle will be provided with feed, fodder, water, shade and the pound keeper will take care of the impounded ones. Their medical care will be looked after by a veterinarian if required.
Sarpanch Shawn Martins said that cattle owners in the jurisdiction of Calangute and the neighbouring panchayats are requested to make sure that their cattle are tied or kept securely in their private properties as the appointed agency will start catching or rather impounding stray cattle from October 2 mid-night onwards.
“The village panchayat is concerned over stray cattle menace which is causing traffic obstruction, deaths due to accidents on the roads, agricultural damage, spreading of garbage on the streets. These stray cattle also intrude in tourist places like beaches which leaves an ugly image in the minds of the tourist visiting our village,” he said.
There will be a procedure that will be followed for the release of impounded cattle. The claimant will have to prove his ownership by making a representation to the Director of Animal Husbandry through the panchayat.
Thereafter, on scrutinising the application, if the director in his opinion is convinced that the claimant is the legal owner of the impounded cattle, will direct the in-charge of the respective “Gaushala” to release the impounded cattle subject on the payment of the specified fines.
In case the stray cattle is not claimed within 15 days, then the in charge of the respective cattle pound shall have the option to auction the unclaimed animal and sell it to the existing farmers having two or more cattle only for breeding/draught purpose (Under The Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme, 2013).
A resident of Calangute, Sandeep Morajkar helped the panchayat in identifying this NGO.
To report areas where there are any stray cattle in Calangute Village one can call Purshottham Prabhu Gaonkar on 9049884177.
