NEW DELHI – The problem of stray cattle in Delhi is getting worse. Animals are now observed roaming freely not just on the outskirts of the city but even on main roadways, which causes traffic jams and accidents. Residents’ welfare groups (RWAs) all throughout the city have reported more complaints, saying that minor accidents happen every day, especially in regions with a lot of illegal dairies.
A high-ranking official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) says that the city’s civic administration is in charge of rounding up stray cows and taking them to authorized cow shelters (gaushalas). But the restricted space in these shelters is making this procedure harder. Delhi only has four gaushalas that are open, and most of them are full right now. The official said that only one of the four shelters is now taking in fresh cattle.
Important Facts About Delhi’s Problem with Stray Cattle
The problem of runaway cattle is caused by a number of things, such as weak enforcement and a lack of facilities for caring for animals.
Population: The Delhi government’s animal husbandry department thinks there are about 80,000 stray cows in the city.
Data on impoundment: The MCD took in 9,984 stray livestock between January and July of 2024.
Capacity and Overcrowding of Gaushalas: The four working cow shelters in Delhi can hold about 19,838 animals, however they are typically full. As of the end of 2024:
Gopal Gausadan could hold 3,270 animals, but it had about 4,200, which was more than 22% too many.
Shri Krishna Gaushala could hold 7,848 people, although it really held nearly 8,500.
Manav Gau Sadan could hold 3,488 people, but only 700 lived there. The management said they didn’t have the money to care for more.
Dabur Hare Krishna Gaushala could hold 5,232 people, but it had about 5,500.
Funding Shortfall: Gaushalas say they are having trouble with money and that the Delhi government and MCD’s daily help of ₹20 per cow is not enough. They say that it costs between ₹120 and ₹150 to take care of each animal every day.
These problems, along with the uncontrolled flow of cattle from nearby states and the continuous operation of illegal dairies in residential areas, have made the problem of stray cattle a constant one for both Delhi’s citizens and officials.