NT Reporter
Canacona
To tackle the growing stray cattle menace in Loliem-Polem, the gram sabha has unanimously decided to hand over unclaimed cattle to farmers willing to adopt them for livestock and agricultural use.
The issue of stray cattle has remained largely unresolved in Canacona, causing several fatal accidents involving both commuters and cattle on the new and old highways, in municipal and panchayat areas.
Members said that a farmer from Anshighat village in Karnataka had expressed willingness to adopt stray cattle for domestic and agricultural purposes, assuring their proper care.
It was decided that stray cattle impounded by the panchayat, if not claimed by their owners within 15 days, would be given for adoption to farmers following due legal procedures.
Social activist Pradeep Mokardekar said there are more than 1,000 stray cattle roaming in public areas across Canacona. Locals said that while the panchayat’s decision is welcome, a formal agreement must be signed to ensure responsible
care. They cautioned that if cattle are handed over without documentation, the process could be misused for smuggling or illegal sale for meat. Villagers also said that since many stray cattle are used to a nomadic life, farmers might struggle to domesticate them, which could lead to neglect or sale to meat traders.
Locals suggested that the panchayat should require a veterinary certificate before giving cattle for adoption.
