Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Jan: Dehradun District Magistrate has approved the establishment of new shelters for the protection and care of destitute and abandoned cattle, with gaushalas set to become operational soon in villages Chharba and Kheruwa, and in Mauja Arcadia Grant, Premnagar in the district. The decisions were taken at a meeting of the district-level Destitute Cattle Monitoring Committee held today under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Savin Bansal, during which a detailed review was conducted of cattle conservation, maintenance arrangements, smooth operation of existing gaushalas and progress on new facilities.
During the meeting, the DM directed that construction of the newly approved gaushalas be completed within the stipulated timeframe and instructed the Chief Development Officer (CDO) to ensure regular monitoring of construction work being executed by the designated implementing agencies. The meeting also discussed granting government recognition to three gaushalas, including those operated by Hans Kalu Siddh Gaushala Trust in Doiwala and by Guru Ram Rai Education Mission Darbar Sahib in Bhandaribagh and Karanpur areas of Dehradun. The DM instructed that all the prescribed standards for recognition, including land-related records, recommendations of the Animal Welfare Board and departmental inspection reports, be completed expeditiously and proposals submitted without delay.
Following the receipt of NOC from the District Panchayat for operating a gaushala at Lakkar Ghat in Rishikesh, Bansal directed the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation to begin the operations for sheltering destitute animals on the proposed land at the earliest. He added that in case, financial assistance is required for this purpose, a demand proposal should be submitted immediately.
For the construction of a gaushala at Kheruwa in Kalsi development block, the DM directed the prompt release of the sanctioned amount of Rs 49.98 lakhs. In Sahaspur development block, an amount of Rs 46.65 lakhs has already been released for the construction of a gaushala for destitute cattle in village Chharba. Additionally, approval was granted for the release of the remaining Rs 14.62 lakhs against the sanctioned amount of Rs 30.11 lakhs for the construction of a boundary wall at the newly constructed gaushala premises in Mauja Arkadia Grant, Premnagar, under Sahaspur tehsil.
Emphasising animal welfare, the DM instructed that regular health check-ups of cattle housed in gaushalas be ensured, with proper treatment for sick and injured animals and timely vaccination. He also stressed the need to provide balanced nutrition, clean drinking water and safe shelter facilities.
The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of the district shared in the meeting that at present, a total of 10 gaushalas are registered in Dehradun district, including four in Sahaspur, two each in Vikasnagar and Doiwala, and one each in Chakrata and Dharampur. He further stated that proposals for the construction of new gaushalas have been sent to the government, including projects worth Rs 489.04 laksh in Majri Grant, Doiwala, Rs 84.93 lakhs in village Kwansi (Jogiyon) in Chakrata, Rs 190.59 lakhs in Bhopalpani village of Raipur, Rs 497.95 lakhs in Raiwala, and Rs 88.13 laksh in the municipal area of Vikasnagar. He added that the current capacity to shelter destitute animals in the district stands at approximately 3,700, which is expected to increase to around 5,400 once the construction of new gaushalas is completed, enabling proper shelter for all destitute cattle in the district.
Among those present at the meeting included CDO Abhinav Shah, SDM Apoorva Singh, CVO Dr Satish Joshi, Senior Veterinary Officers Dr Varun Agrawal, Dr Pooja Pandey, Dr Neelima Joshi, SDO Forest Abhishek Maithani, Additional Chief Officer of the District Panchayat Satish Tripathi, executive officers of various municipal bodies and other members of the monitoring committee.
