Bhopal: In a one-of-its-kind decision, the BJP-ruled government will honour dead cows by constructing cenotaphs for them--a move the authorities described as an eco-friendly one to protect the environment to avoid spread of carcasses as means of pollutants strewn all over.
The government has instructed Panchayats to strictly implement the order. According to the plan, cenotaphs for dead cows will be built in the villages. The MNREGA scheme fund will aid the initiative. The Cow Promotion Board will ensure the implementation of the scheme. The Cow Promotion Board and the departmental officers have prepared a plan to make compost from the dead cattle.
Instructions were issued to all the collectors and other officers to ensure respectful burial of bodies of cows. Madhya Pradesh, accounts for high rate of deaths of cows which consists of 2 lakh 77 thousand bovines. The numbers of old, sick, and disabled cattle are increasing. According to estimate, more than 45,000 deaths of cattle occur every year in the state.
Authorities instructed villagers to lay half a feet layer of fresh cow dung at the bottom of each pit, and dump 20 kg of lime and the same amount of salt in it. The cenotaphs will be ready after six months of filling the pit with soil. Akhileshwaranand, chairman of the Gau Samvardhan Board, said," In Madhya Pradesh, we see that a cow dies but there is no one to honour the animal. We have decided that cenotaphs will be built for dead cows at villages." On an average, about 20 cows die every year in a gaushala housing 100 cows. Eight pits will be required in every six months.
