Cattle menace, obstacles galore

Struggling to arrest the stray dog menace, BBMP is now baffled by another rising problem: Stray cattle on the roads.

There has been a perceptible increase in the number of cattle on the road, triggering traffic congestions across the City.

Stray cattle are found roaming and chewing on garbage that is left uncleared. To curb the cattle problem on the main roads, the Palike has proposed to increase the penalty amount for leaving cows on the roads. BBMP is also planning to start issuing licenses to the dairy farmers in the City to keep a tab on their activities.  

Dr Pervez Ahmed Piran, retired assistant commissioner, department of animal husbandry and veterinary services says that rearing cattle in the City is an expensive affair and most of the dairy farmers in the City are unable to find fodder for their animals.

With no other option, these farmers are letting their cattle on the roads to feed on garbage risking both the animals as well as those who buy milk from such dairy farmers. The urine and the dung of these animals are also source of infection which has become a public health hazard.

BBMP has only one cattle pound in KR Puram. This facility can house only around 30 cattle and no more rescued animals. Dr T Shivarama Bhat, Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) says that even if the BBMP workers bring the cattle to the pound, the owners fight with the BBMP officers and refused to pay the penalty amount.

Through a notification dated May 5, 2014, BBMP had enhanced the penalty for leaving stray cattle in the open, from Rs 100 to Rs 600. Since 2014, the BBMP has collected Rs 3.5 lakh as penalty.

The strays include cows, calves, buffaloes and oxen. Besides non-co-operation from the public, Palike also faces the problem of staff shortage and inadequate number of drivers for the specialised vehicles. There is also a plan to bring in an amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Council Act about rearing of cattle in the City limits.