GURUGRAM: Fearing backlash from people over stray cattle wandering on streets in both urban and rural areas, the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog has started a campaign to catch such cattle and shift them to cow shelters The Aayog, which is a commission for the welfare of bovines under the state government, will also impose a fine of Rs 5,100 on owners if their cattle are found roaming on the roads.Chairman Bhani Ram Mangla, during his visit to Gurgaon on Tuesday, admitted that stray cattle have emerged as an issue. “With the enactment of laws against cow slaughter, the number of abandoned and stray cattle has increased. They destroy crops in rural areas and obstruct traffic in urban areas. We’ve taken a series of steps to deal with the issue and a drive has been started to capture stray cattle,” Mangla said. He added that a large number of stray cattle has been shifted to cowsheds.Till three years ago, the state had a total of 360 cowsheds. Though the number has increased to 523 at present, there are around 10,000 to 15,000 stray cattle in the state, and nearly 600 in Gurgaon. “It has come to our notice that people from adjoining states are leaving their cattle in Haryana. Besides, owners let cattle loose after milking them. They also obstruct drives to catch stray cattle,” Mangla said. Two cases have been registered against such people in Gurgaon, the Aayog chief said. “We will intensify our drive and impose a penalty of Rs 5,100 on cattle owners if their cattle are found on the road,” he added.The Aayog also plans to build six 500-acre cow shelters across the the state to house stray cattle. Gram panchayats will also be given funds for developing cow shelters. Shelters will also be set up in all prisons, Aayog officials said.

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