Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa government has impounded a total of 2,907 stray cattle over the past two years, with 1,588 cases recorded in 2023-24 and 1,319 in 2024-25, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar informed.
Halarnkar said that local bodies are tasked with managing the stray cattle menace, and the government has issued directions to monitor animals purchased under departmental schemes that are found straying on roads. Offending beneficiaries face subsidy withdrawal and blacklisting.
In the same period, 94 impounded cattle were released to their owners after payment of penalties totalling ₹2,82,000. Under the Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme, 2013 (Amended), 8,944 cattle have been impounded since the scheme’s inception, with 52 local bodies signing MoUs with NGOs for rescue and care.
During 2024-25, grants amounting to ₹21.62 crore were disbursed for cattle shelter operations. Details of functioning Goshalas and their capacities have been tabled in the House, but the department has not maintained data on communications from the Transport Department on stray cattle issues.
Halarnkar emphasised that monitoring and impounding efforts would continue in collaboration with municipal bodies and panchayats to curb the road safety hazard posed by stray cattle.
