Parliament Question: Cow Sanctuary

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 268 ANSWERED ON 21st JULY, 2026 COW SANCTUARY 268. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the increasing number of stray and destitute cattle in the Hoshangabad- Narsinghpur Lok Sabha Constituency causing problems for farmers, the general public and affecting road safety; (b) whether any proposal has been received or is under consideration of the Government establishment or development of a Cow Sanctuary in the said Parliamentary Constituency in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh; and (c) whether the Government has any proposal for providing special financial assistance for the protection, conservation, treatment, breed improvement and proper fodder arrangements for stray cattle and if so, the details of the proposed action plan, the financial assistance sanctioned and the timeframe and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (c) No such information has been received from the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Further, no proposal for the establishment or development of a Cow Sanctuary in the Hoshangabad-Narsinghpur Lok Sabha Constituency has been received by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying from the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Animal Husbandry and management of stray cattle including making availability of fodder for stray animals is a state subject. However, the Central Government is providing financial assistance to supplement the efforts of the State Governments through various ongoing schemes such as: (i) Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): This flagship scheme focuses on breed improvement, conservation and development of indigenous breeds, and enhancing milk productivity. Under RGM, financial assistance is provided for setting up Gokul Grams (Integrated Cattle Development Centres) and Breed Multiplication Farms, which directly help to reduce the economic burden of maintaining cattle. (ii) National Livestock Mission (NLM): NLM provides subsidies for entrepreneurship development in the feed and fodder sector, aimed at addressing fodder scarcity across the country and provides assistance for fodder production. (iii) Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI): The AWBI provides financial grants to recognized Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Gaushalas for the construction of shelter houses, veterinary treatment, and providing food and water to stray/destitute animals. ***