MAPUSA: The increase in stray cattle’s in Siolim is increasing by the day. These cattle roam around the village causing traffic congestion.
These animals are owned by the villagers but are left out causing problems to daily travellers and tourists.
Since Siolim village has beaches and is popular with domestic and foreign tourists there is traffic on the roads and the roaming cattle do not help matters. At night, they sit in the middle of the road causing problems. Along with these 30 or 40 cattle are the dogs that add to the problem.
Sources also said garbage was a reason for these animals to roam in the village. Since Siolim does not have a garbage disposal unit, animals eat the garbage left by the people on the road. The menace of stray cattle is also faced by the foreigners. Animals walk directly up to people found eating on the beach.
A local Luis Fernandes said, “We cannot call them stray cattle because these animals are owned by the villagers but due to the non cultivation of fields for several years, people have stopped taking care and left them loose. If they don’t take care then animal husbandry can take them. This issue was raised in the gram sabha and the Sarpanch had assured is that they will look into this issue.”
