Himachal Pradesh News
Nurpur Faces Rising Stray Cattle Menace as Abandoned Cows and Bulls Create Safety Concerns
The growing presence of stray cattle in Nurpur has become a major concern for residents, with abandoned cows and bulls frequently roaming through markets, residential areas and busy highways. Locals say the problem has intensified over the last few years due to the lack of a long-term solution and effective action from the authorities.
The growing presence of stray cattle in Nurpur has become a major concern for residents, with abandoned cows and bulls frequently roaming through markets, residential areas and busy highways. Locals say the problem has intensified over the last few years due to the lack of a long-term solution and effective action from the authorities.
The situation became more serious after the closure of the only gaushala operated by the Animal Husbandry Department at Khajjian near Nurpur. The shelter was shut down due to the ongoing widening work of the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway, leaving many stray animals without a proper place for care and rehabilitation.
Today, free-roaming cattle can often be seen on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway, local markets and crowded streets, creating a serious threat to pedestrians and vehicle drivers. Residents say that children, women and elderly people are among the most vulnerable, as even simple activities like walking to schools, shops or nearby fields have become risky.
The problem is not limited to cattle alone. Stray dogs and monkeys have also increased in several areas of Nurpur, adding to public safety concerns. However, the rising number of abandoned cows and bulls remains one of the biggest challenges for local residents.
Areas such as Chogan Market near the main bus stand and the Bodh-Jachh stretch on National Highway-154 have become major hotspots where groups of stray cattle are regularly spotted. During nighttime, many animals sit on roads without reflective belts, making them difficult for motorists to notice. This has resulted in multiple road accidents, including fatal incidents, especially involving two-wheeler riders.
Residents have also alleged that stray cattle from neighbouring states are often transported and abandoned in rural areas and along highways during the night. They believe stronger surveillance and stricter enforcement are needed to prevent such practices.
Earlier, the state government had directed panchayats and block development offices to establish cowsheds for accommodating stray cattle. However, according to local sources, many of these plans remained only on paper. A major proposal to develop a cowshed on 80 kanals of land in Khanni Gram Panchayat, announced in 2015 with a capacity to shelter around 500 animals, has also not moved forward.
In 2015, the Animal Husbandry Department introduced a cattle registration and tagging programme to identify livestock owners and discourage the abandonment of unproductive animals. Despite this initiative, residents claim that several tagged animals are still found wandering on roads, while action against negligent owners remains limited.
Social organisations and local groups have urged the administration to work closely with the Animal Husbandry Department to shift stray cattle to available cow sanctuaries in the Jawali and Damtal regions. They have also demanded strict penalties against those who abandon their animals, stating that such actions violate animal welfare responsibilities.
Questions have also been raised regarding the use of funds collected through the cow cess on liquor bottles and the milk cess charged from electricity consumers. Citizens argue that despite these financial resources, the region continues to struggle with an uncontrolled stray cattle population.
As the number of stray animals continues to rise, residents of Nurpur are hoping for immediate intervention and a sustainable policy that ensures both public safety and proper care for abandoned cattle.
