In a one-of-its-kind conference organised for owners of cow-shelters (gaushalas) here, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said the government was working on a policy to provide protein-rich fodder, free of cost to cattle reared in villages. Key technical issues deliberated on at the conference — also attended by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Home Minister Rajnath Singh — included measures to increase milk productivity of Indian cows; making provision for feed, fodder and ancillary requirements and management of cows in the post-productive phase. The Minister underlined the need to preserve pasture land and suggested that if “500 acres of land (were available), 25 acres be set aside for growing good quality grass and fodder.”Mr. Javadekar’s suggestions came even as attendees at the day-long conference at Vigyan Bhavan reportedly heckled the Minister for not doing enough for cow preservation.

Source: The Hindu May 16, 2016 15:41 UTC