Goshala to come to rescue of indigenous cattle breed

Sirsi, Karnataka, Dec 19 (UNI) In an attempt to protect indigenous cattle breed which is on the verge of extinction, Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Bharati has laid the foundation stone for 'Amrutadhara Goshala' (cattle bank) at Hosada village in Uttara Kannada district.

Commencing the work on Sunday, the swamiji said this would be a model for all 'Goshalas' to be set up in future elsewhere in the country.

Under the Rs one crore project, a minimum of 500 indigenous cattle would be preserved. Quarters for cowherds, power generating unit using cowdung and permanent drinking water schemes have been included in the project. A large number of donors have come forward to assist the scheme with donations. About 150 Muslim families, residing close to Hosada village, have also actively participated in the preservation drive, he said.

The pontiff said under the mutt's 'Gosanjivini' scheme, many people have taken oath to give life to a cow by donating Rs 3,000 and about Rs 4.5 crore have been collected within 20 days of announcing the scheme.

A 'Gobank' (cattle bank) had been set up to facilitate those unable to foster cattle to hand it over to the bank and those who want to rear cattle could take it from the bank free of cost, subject to certain conditions. Besides, an encyclopaedia regarding indigenous cattle breed would be brought out in April next by the mutt.

Stating that the drive would continue till cow slaughter ended in the country, the seer said the mutt had begun a unique drive in the country, called 'Gosamsat' (Cattle Parliament), on October 2 last in over 170 centres in Karnataka and the Northern region of Kerala.

The programme, to conclude in April 2007, was aimed at creating awareness among the public through debates, conventions and art exhibitions regarding the importance of indigenous cattle breed.

UNI XR GD SB DS1620