Moo-ving the problem: BMC steps up drive against stray cattle

Bhopal: Bhopal Municipal Corporation conducted a stray animal drive under its Govardhan Project, according to a press release here on Thursday. BMC staff impounded 27 animals from areas including Kokta, Patel Nagar, Anand Nagar, Raisen Road, Karond, Bhanpur, Ayodhya Bypass, Minal Residency, Jail Road and Mandi, sending them to the Kanji House.BMC's Haka Party removed 25 animals from streets, shifted three injured/sick animals to the veterinary hospital, and sent 20 animals to Shri Krishna Gopal Gaushala. Officials said the operation was carried out on the instructions of BMC commissioner Sanskriti Jain to curb stray livestock on public roads.Officials noted that BMC guidelines prohibit stray cattle within municipal limits. The call centre receives 250–300 complaints monthly, with about half of owners reclaiming impounded animals. Offenders face action under the Animal Torture Act, 1871 and Madhya Pradesh Animal Control Act, 1976. Cattle are impounded for up to eight days, with fines of Rs 220 per day plus Rs 40 feeding charges. Unclaimed animals are sent to gaushalas, though BMC operates none directly. Seven Kanji Houses under the Govardhan Project manage impounded cattle. The Animal Husbandry Department tracks cattle tagging since 2019, with five hospitals in Bhopal handling around 10 medico-legal cases monthly.Drives Catches 165 Cattle, But Census Shows Nearly 10kBetween Feb 16–26, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) sent 165 stray cattle to Kanji House, averaging about 18 per day. While this reflects steady operational drives, the livestock census records 9,986 stray cattle in Bhopal, showing the scale of the challenge. A week's effort covers only 1.65% of the total population, meaning even year-round catching would struggle to close the gap. The data reveals that while weekly drives improve road safety and reduce immediate hazards, long-term impact requires systemic measures—expanded shelters, stricter ownership enforcement, and public awareness—to sustainably manage Bhopal's stray cattle problem.