Lucknow, March 21: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced plans to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to cow protection and the establishment of cow shelters. He emphasized that cow service is an integral part of Indian cultural tradition and that dedicated individuals in this field deserve public recognition.
During a meeting of the Cow Service Commission on Saturday, CM Yogi reviewed the arrangements at various cow shelters and stressed the importance of establishing ‘Bhoosa Banks’ in each shelter. He directed officials to ensure the availability of green fodder by coordinating with local farmers and connecting those involved in natural farming with cow shelters.
The Chief Minister also instructed the installation of CCTV cameras in all cow shelters to ensure continuous monitoring, highlighting the effective use of CSR funds for this purpose. He stated that transparency and technology-based monitoring would strengthen the operations.
Yogi directed officials from the Cow Service Commission and the Animal Husbandry Department to regularly inspect cow shelters. Commission officials have been asked to visit in pairs to expedite the establishment of ‘Bhoosa Banks’ and the expansion of grazing land, with reports from each visit to be submitted to the Chief Minister’s office. Senior departmental officials will also accompany these visits, and state-wide inspections led by the departmental minister will be ensured.
He noted that cow conservation is not only a matter of faith but also a strong foundation for rural economy, natural farming, and sustainable development. In this regard, transparency, technology, and public participation should be prioritized in the operation of cow shelters. Instructions were also given to ensure timely payments through the DBT system and to maintain a mandatory register of the daily number of cattle at each shelter.
Currently, there are 7,527 cow shelters in the state protecting over 1.23 million cattle. This includes 6,433 temporary shelters housing 989,000 cattle, 518 large cow conservation centers with 158,000 cattle, 323 Kanha cow shelters with 77,925 cattle, and 253 Kanji houses with 13,576 cattle. Under the Chief Minister’s participation scheme, 114,000 beneficiaries have been provided with 183,000 cattle, with directions for verification and proper care.
Regarding the availability of fodder and silage, it was reported that the tender process for the financial year 2026-27 is being completed on schedule. As part of the monitoring system, 7,592 CCTV cameras have been installed across 5,446 cow shelters in 74 districts. Command and control rooms have been established in 52 districts, while the process is ongoing in others. Over 61,118 hectares of grazing land is effectively utilized, with 10,641.99 hectares linked to cow shelters and 7,364.03 hectares developed for green fodder.
The meeting also highlighted that 97 biogas plants are operational in the state, serving as effective means for clean energy and income generation. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for their expansion and recognized the successful model of self-reliance through the production of cow dung paint, vermicompost, and other products by self-help groups and NGOs in various districts.
The Muzaffarnagar Cow Sanctuary is emerging as an excellent example in this direction. In reviewing the progress of large cow conservation centers, it was noted that out of 630 approved centers, 518 have been completed, while the rest are under construction. Comprehensive vaccination campaigns against foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, and other ailments are being conducted, with continuous training provided to livestock farmers.