UP News: The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to equip stray animals with ‘fluorescent strips’ to reduce the risk of road accidents caused by them at night. Officials said the initiative is aimed at increasing visibility for drivers, preventing collisions and protecting the lives of both humans and animals.
According to him, ‘fluorescent strips’ will be applied on the horns and necks of stray animals. These highly reflective strips will be illuminated by the ‘headlights’ of the vehicle, making the animals easily visible in low light conditions. Thus, accidents caused by these animals on the roads will be reduced.
Animal Husbandry Department Director P N Singh said that the plan is nearing its final stage and is expected to get approval soon. Singh said, ‘‘The proposal has been under discussion for the last two weeks and it has also been shared with the concerned minister for final approval.’’
The Animal Husbandry Department will work as the nodal agency for the implementation of this project. The ‘fluorescent’ strip measure is part of a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem of stray animals in the state.
Get Rs 1,500 per month
According to official records, there are currently about 15 lakh stray animals in Uttar Pradesh, out of which about 12 lakh are kept in animal shelters. The remaining three lakh stray animals are partially managed by marginal families under the participation scheme. These families get a maximum of Rs 1,500 per animal per month for fodder. A family can participate in the scheme with a maximum of four cattle.
Experts blame several factors for the stray cattle problem in Uttar Pradesh. A primary reason is the lack of proper animal husbandry practices, which leads to uncontrolled breeding and abandonment of animals.
Additionally, strict government regulations on animal slaughter, including a blanket ban on cow slaughter, have been cited as factors that cause farmers to abandon their cattle after their productive life.
The stray cattle issue has also become a political topic, with the opposition Samajwadi Party often criticising the state government for failing to manage the problem effectively. The issue gained momentum during the 2022 assembly elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself speaking about the issue in public rallies.