Latest news with #AnimalHusbandryDepartment
Hans India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister clarifies on banning cattle grazing in forests
Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre clarified that there is no blanket ban on cattle grazing in Karnataka's forests. The state government will allow local tribal and forest-dwelling communities to graze their livestock under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, while cattle brought in from neighboring states in large numbers will be restricted. In a statement to the media, Khandre said that under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, no individual is allowed to enter reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, or tiger reserves for grazing domestic animals. However, grazing by locals has been a traditional practice in some forest-edge communities. The government plans to phase out such practices by encouraging locals to rear high-yield dairy cattle and grow green fodder on their allotted lands instead. As per data from the Animal Husbandry Department, the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary alone currently houses around 33,000 cattle, many of which have been brought from outside the state. Such large-scale grazing in protected forest areas is creating resource shortages for wild animals like elephants, gaurs, deer, antelope, and others. It is also leading to the spread of contagious diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, anthrax, and more—posing a serious threat to native wildlife. Khandre stated that this rising pressure on forests prompted the government to act in accordance with wildlife protection laws. However, exemptions will be made for local residents who hold grazing rights under the Forest Rights Act. He cited that in Chamarajanagar, the Forest Department, using CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds, has already supported 10–15 farmers by providing high-yield hybrid cows. The plan is to introduce alternative livelihood solutions to communities that currently depend on open forest grazing for survival, thereby reducing their dependency gradually. Khandre also referenced a recent Madras High Court ruling that prohibits cattle grazing in Tamil Nadu's forests. Following that verdict, a surge in cattle inflow from neighboring states into Karnataka's forests has been observed. This has not only depleted forest grasslands and affected vegetation but also led to increased human-wildlife conflict and incidents of wildlife poisoning. To prevent further ecological damage, the state government has instructed officials to take action within the legal framework while ensuring that the rights of forest dwellers are protected.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Forest dwellers and tribals will be allowed to graze their livestock in forest areas: Khandre
Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday clarified that forest dwellers and tribals will be allowed to graze their livestock in the forest areas. 'Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, forest dwellers and tribals are allowed to graze their livestock in the forest. However, livestock from neighbouring States would be banned from grazing in the Karnataka's forest areas,' Mr. Khandre said. On July 22, the Minister had directed Forest Department officials to take steps to ban livestock grazing in all forest areas of Karnataka. This order had come in the backdrop of the death of five tigers in the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary on June 26. A tigress and its four cubs were reported to have died of poisoning by the owner of the cow which was killed by the big cat. Mr. Khandre said that as per Animal Husbandry Department statistics there are about 33,000 cattle within the limits of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. 'Due to this elephants, bison, wild boars, deer etc. are facing a shortage of fodder and water. There is also a risk of infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, and anthrax spreading to wildlife. In the backdrop of this threat, it had been suggested to ban grazing of cattle in the forest as per the law. However, exemption will be given to local cattle and those who have rights under the Forest Rights Act,' he said.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Minister distributes power operated chaff cutter at subsidised price to farmers in Salem
Tourism Minister R. Rajendran distributed power operated chaff cutter to farmers at a 50% subsidised price under the Fodder Development Scheme on Monday. At a function held on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department on the Integrated Veterinary Hospital premises, the Minister said that in the last four years, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had been implementing various schemes to ensure the development of all sectors and become self-sufficient. In Salem district, welfare schemes were being implemented through 16 veterinary multi-specialty hospitals, 152 veterinary hospitals, 2,741 veterinary dispensaries, 56 mobile veterinary dispensaries, and 815 veterinary branch stations. The Animal Husbandry Department implemented a native chicken rearing scheme under the National Agriculture Development Programme and 100 beneficiaries received native chickens at a cost of ₹75.83 lakh. For the 2,000 beneficiaries who were under poverty, 5 goats and sheep each, worth ₹3.82 crore, were provided with 100% subsidy. In addition, rural beneficiaries, who were capable of raising poultry, had been provided with a 50% subsidy to establish poultry farms. Similarly, the State Fodder Development Project had been implemented on 110 acres at ₹3.30 lakh, the Minister added. Stating that 400 beneficiaries received power operated chaff cutter worth ₹66 lakh under a 50% subsidy last year, the Minister said that for destitute women, native chickens (40 chickens each) worth ₹32 lakh were provided to 2,000 beneficiaries with a 50% subsidy. Likewise, 350 Adi Dravidar and Tribal beneficiaries were provided milch cows worth ₹1.22 crore. Based on the fact that if the green fodder was cut into small pieces and given, it would be easily digested and the health and productivity of the livestock would increase, these cutters were provided, Mr. Rajendran added. District Collector R. Brindha Devi and officials participated.
India Today
18-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Kerala to launch stray dog vaccination drive, expand sterilisation centres
In an effort to address the growing issue of stray dogs in Kerala, the state government will launch a month-long vaccination drive for stray dogs starting in August. The initiative will be carried out jointly by the Local Self-Government Department and the Animal Husbandry Department. The decision was taken during a meeting attended by Local Self-Government Department Minister MB Rajesh and Animal Husbandry Minister J vaccination drive for pet dogs is scheduled to begin in September. As part of the broader plan, the government will also make it mandatory to obtain licences for pet state has also decided to invoke the euthanasia provision under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Husbandry Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2023. Minister MB Rajesh stated that Section 8 of the rules pertains to euthanasia, and the government will act in accordance with this provision. He noted that one of the main challenges in managing the stray dog crisis is the public resistance to Animal Birth Control Centres. To address this, the meeting resolved that criminal cases will be registered against those who disrupt the operations of these the government plans to introduce 152 portable Animal Birth Control units at the block level across the state. Each unit will receive a financial allocation of Rs 28 lakh.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
NDTV
17-07-2025
- NDTV
To Curb Cow Slaughter, Maharashtra May Use Anti-Organised Crime Law
Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, in the state Assembly on Thursday announced that the government will launch a special campaign to ban cow slaughter in unauthorised slaughterhouses across the state. 'Cow slaughter will not be tolerated anywhere in the state. The government will take strict action in this regard. In the case of cow slaughter in unauthorised slaughterhouses in the state, action will be taken by launching a special campaign against the,' he said in his reply to a calling attention moved by member Sanjay Upadhyay regarding the ban on cow slaughter. Stating that the law will be amended to take strict action against repeat offenders of cow slaughter, Minister Kadam said that the current law will be amended to increase the punishment for repeat offenders of cow slaughter to 10 years and increase the fine. 'Such offenders will be verified to take action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Cow guards or some NGOs report cow slaughter cases to the police on their own. In such cases, action will be taken by the police. There will be coordination between NGOs, cow guards and the police. Also, action will be taken after verifying the issuance of identity cards to cow guards,' he said. 'Cowsheds are run in the state through the Animal Husbandry Department. In this, old non-milking cows and street animals are kept. The government will help with this. In Badlapur (West), the police have arrested one accused in the case. Two other accused are being searched. Action will be taken against the hotel in Wani city of Yavatmal district, where beef was found. The license of the hotel will be cancelled as per the requirement,' he said. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Uday Samant announced that a high-level committee will be formed for the sustainable development of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation, and the overall development of this city will be carried out. He was responding to a calling attention motion moved by member Rais Sheikh regarding development work in the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation area. Minister Samant said that through this high-level committee, a comprehensive plan for the development of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation will be prepared, and accordingly, development works will be carried out in this city on a fast track. The project of 8,468 houses approved in Bhiwandi city was cancelled as its deadline was about to expire. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a planning proposal will be sent to the central government in the next three months to start the second phase on time. Also, the work of the first phase of the metro is underway in Bhiwandi, and a technical inspection will be done to decide whether the second phase will be underground or above ground, said Minister Samant.
