SHIMLA: At a time when Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the problem of stray cattle and the state government is focusing on the construction of cow shelters, Sirmaur district administration has taken the unique initiative of constructing a cow sanctuary on 100 bigha land at Kotla Barog. The shelter will provide shelter to stray cattle and would also have a provision of dispensary. Around Rs 1.5 crore would be spent on this.According to sources, a meeting of cabinet sub committee chaired by agriculture and information technology minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda was held in Shimla on May to discuss providing proper shelter to stray cattle, as announced by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur in his budget speech.Following this meeting, Sirmaur deputy commissioner Lalit Jain sent a proposal to the principal secretary (animal husbandry) for the construction of cow sanctuary at Kotla Barog in Pachhad tehsil to tackle the problem of stray cattle in Sirmaur district. Around 100 bigha land, belonging to animal husbandry department, which was lying unused for the last 20-25 years has been identified for the purpose of cow sanctuary.A project report with an estimated cost of Rs 1.52 crore has also been submitted to the government. Sources said the expenses for the maintenance of cow sanctuary would be borne by the Mata Bala Sundri Temple Trust, Trilokpur.When contacted, Jain said the cattle would be provided shelter in natural habitat which would be enclosed from all sides. It will house around 500 cows. “This is going to be the first cow sanctuary of the state,” he added. The sanctuary would have solar lightings and proper water taps. He said there would be a couple of caretakers.In April this year, the Himachal Pradesh assembly had passed the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which aims at improving the administration of the Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments. In the bill, a provision has been made for earmarking receipt up to 15% for the construction, maintenance and upgradation of Gausadans (cow sheds) or for Gau-vansh samvardhan to enable the shelter and proper care to the abandoned cattle wealth of the state.

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