Himachal government has contemplated naming indigenous ‘pahari’ cow as ‘Gauri’.

“We have moved the case for naming the desi breed of cow as ‘Gauri’ to the concerned authorities,” said Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over the second meeting of Himachal Pradesh Gau Vansh Samvardhan Board held here on Monday.

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He told the people not to abandon cows.

Thakur said the state government is contemplating to constitute Gau Samvardhan Aayog to recommend suitable policies for the protection of Gau Vansh and programmes for development of an indigenous breed of cows in the state.

The CM said that the state government is laying special emphasis to encourage development of ‘desi’ breed of cows, which would also be beneficial for promoting natural farming in the state. He said that in the very first cabinet meeting of the state government, it was decided that at least 15 per cent offerings of the temples would be earmarked towards construction, maintenance and management of Gau Sadans in state.

Apart from it, the state government also decided to levy cess of Rupee one per bottle on sale of every bottle of liquor sold in the state. This shows the concern of the state government towards promoting and protecting Gau Vansh in the state, he added.

The CM said the government would establish cow sanctuaries in all the districts of the state. He said that Deputy Commissioners have been directed to identify suitable land for the same so that all the formalities for setting up cows sanctuaries could be completed at the earliest. He said that procedure of transfer of land for setting up of cows sanctuaries and cows sadans would be simplified and efforts would also be made to make cows sanctuaries self reliant by developing them as ‘Gau Vigyan Kendras’.

He also directed the agriculture and animal husbandry departments to work in coordination for ensuring that various schemes initiated by the government for protection of animals and conservation of indigenous cows could be implemented effectively.

Thakur said that the state government is also giving emphasis for encouraging active participation of people, NGOS, Panchayats, Temple Trusts and other charitable organisations to open new Gau Sadans in the state and properly manage the old ones so that stray cattle could be provided shelter.

Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar said that the state government would provide assistance and co-operation to the organisations and institutions promoting indigenous breed of cows. The government would also provide all possible help for setting up of Gau Sadans in the state.