New Delhi: Cows' gain seems to be other animals’ loss in India. At least the composition of Animal Welfare Board suggests so.
Animal rights activist Rukmini Sekhar slammed the government for ignoring all other animals just to push its agenda for cows. “Cow is one animal among many others. A bullock or an ox would feel the same pain as a cow. I really hope the cow experts on the Board deal with issues with respect to the law,” she said.
The Board members, however, have junked all such doubts and said that their expertise would bring ‘new plans’ to the table, which would aid in protection of cows and other animals.'Build cow sanctuaries, throw gau rakshaks out of circle'
“There should be a free, huge land, like a sanctuary, where people can come and see cows,” said Singh.
“We must replace the current model of stall feeding. This was adapted from Holland and New Zealand. But, why do we need the cattle to eat and urinate at the same place? Which is why I think it’s apt for us to adopt the traditional model of animal keeping. They move out freely, feed themselves and return to their owners on their own. They must have that liberty,” added Shah.
Amidst reports of violence by gau rakshaks, one of the Board members said that rakshaks knew nothing about cows, which is why they were resorting to violence.
“These rakshaks don’t even have a cow at their home. How can they unleash terror on others? Saving cows also means teaching these so-called rakshaks a lesson,” said Singh.'Power of cow urine, dung is tremendous'
The AWB members say the benefits of using cow urine and dung for producing medicines and other products go leaps and bounds ahead of just treating illnesses.
Working towards improving cow productivity, in the most holistic way, is the key to gain maximum benefits. “I would discourage farmers from discarding their cows. If we streamline things, which is one of our plans, a cow that gives 2 liters of milk can give birth to a calf that gives 10 liters,” said Mohan Singh. He added that making healthy cows mate or using the semen of a bull that gives 10 liters of milk would help in creating a ‘healthy and strong’ offspring.
The medicinal value of it, these experts argue, are ‘unimaginable’. “I have written more than 50 research papers and I can tell you that medicines made from cow urine and dung can cure cancer, lung infections, and liver problems,” said Chauhan.
If, he added, the excreta was used well, it may also result in revenue after sale of the products, which, in turn, can be used to make gaushalas self-sufficient.'Good gaushalas are the answer to problems'
Fuel from cow dung is also a huge impetus to maintaining our pledge towards tackling climate change.
Shah, however, said that while maintaining a gaushala is important, setting up a welfare board for animals in every state was equally imperative. “There should be societies in talukas and welfare officers looking into the prevention of animal cruelty. Work on the ground level has to happen for all the animals,” he added.'Must have cow census'
While one of the experts argued that there were some records on number of cows available, they don’t put forth a comprehensive picture. “There are some government records available, but they don’t give a complete picture of the bovines. For instance, we don’t know how many cows are not part of the system,” said Dr Hitesh Jani, head department of Panchkarma, Gujarat Ayurved University, adding that his project, Kutch Gau Dal, was about to change things.
His Kutch Gau Dal project was looking at cows in Kutch, which according to him, were the maximum in the area. The report, which should be out in six months, would have details on the grassland present, total number of cows, etc.
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