Table of Contents
The “Gujarat Gauseva Model” has been created by the Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board, Government of Gujarat, for the management and care of stray and abandoned livestock including desi cows.
Importance of indigenous and Desi cows
Regarding physical and physiological capabilities, native cows are best suited to survive in the Indian environment. Based on dry roughages like paddy and wheat straw, a Desi cow has the capacity to deliver healthy (A-2) milk to farmers. She transforms such produce waste into milk and manure.
The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides is currently the largest offender in the soil degradation crime. The increasing use of chemical fertilisers had resulted in the loss of soil carbon; humus, the organic matter in the soil, is to blame for decreased soil fertility, per-hectare yield, and quality of agricultural output. The situation is made worse in tropical nations like India where the soil carbon content is 0.5% as opposed to 4.5% in colder nations.
An estimate states that compared to other manures and fertilisers, cow dung from the cattle shed (Gaushala) provides the land with roughly ten times as much nitrogen and phosphoric acid. There are 2100 million tonnes of cattle dung accessible annually, of which 700 million tonnes are used as fuel and 320 million tonnes as manure; the remaining quantity is squandered if not correctly used. It is more affordable and the solution to all soil issues. According to research, a cow’s dung may provide 1,460 tonnes of micronutrients annually, which is enough to improve the soil structure and fertility of 14.6 acres.
Gujarat Gauseva model
Gujarat’s Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board has identified 143 Gaushals/Panjarapole in the State for the launch of 23 projects as model institutions to spread the Gaushala advancement throughout the State, towards their self-sufficiency by using cow dung and urine for the production of medicines, energy/electricity, bio-fertilizers, pesticides, and other items of daily use. The Gujarat Government has established a 24-hour ambulance service (toll free number: 1962) for the management and emergency rescue of Gaushala animals, exactly like it does for human patients in the State.
The following are the main tasks completed for Gujarat State’s Gaushala Development.
- The appointment of new Gadshas (particularly in jails, schools & temples),
- Support Deshi breeds’ natural breeding by providing resources (Giri, Kankrej and Dangi)
- To address the issues and difficulties that lie ahead, organise national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops on Gaushala development.
- Grants for Gaushala research are available, as are courses on Gau Vigyan in schools and colleges, an emphasis on organic farming, Gaushala awareness in tribal regions, cow microchips, Kamdhenu hostels in urban areas, and other initiatives.
- Create educational and outreach initiatives through a cow exhibition to recognise Gaushala employees.
Conclusion
The Gujarat Model Gauseva could be replicated throughout the country to save the cows and its progenies by making the Gaushalas self-sufficient. Such programmes will not only sustain the indigenous breed of cows but also support the economy of farmers by protecting the environment and ecosystem.
