Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Stray bovine across Udham Singh Nagar district will soon find refuge, as the district administration has initiated steps to establish Kanji House (cow shelters). Land has been identified and allotted for this purpose in Rudrapur, Kashipur, Jaspur, Gadarpur, and Bazpur municipal areas, as well as in the district’s panchayat zones.
The Animal Husbandry Department has submitted a comprehensive proposal worth ₹25.58 crore to the state government for the construction of these shelters. According to officials, Kanji Houses—once prevalent across Uttarakhand—ceased operations after the formation of the state. “Before Uttarakhand was carved out, the state had 59 Kanji Houses in District Panchayat areas and 12 in municipal zones. However, these were later shut down, and their premises were converted for other uses,” said Dr. Ashutosh Joshi, Chief Veterinary Officer of Udham Singh Nagar.
The resurgence of Kanji Houses follows a High Court directive mandating the establishment of such facilities in every municipal corporation and area. Acting on this, District Magistrate Udayraj Singh instructed municipalities to allocate land. Subsequently, land parcels were finalized in various locations, including 1.246 hectares in Kachnal Gunsai, 1.619 hectares in Lambakheda, and 4 hectares in Mahuadabra. Additional land has been allocated in Barirai, Bajpur Gulzarpur, and Haldi Ghera, ensuring coverage across both urban and rural zones.
“The shelters will accommodate around 700 cows each, catering to approximately 7,600 stray animals currently roaming the district’s streets. This figure has more than doubled since 2019, highlighting the urgent need for intervention,” Dr. Joshi added. Of the stray animals, 3,200 are male, while 4,400 are female.
The proposal earmarks ₹16.38 crore for shelters under municipal corporations and ₹9.20 crore for those in panchayat areas. Construction will commence once funds are disbursed. Dr. Joshi stated, “We have sent the ₹25.58 crore proposal to the government. Once approved, the Nagar Zila Panchayat, municipal corporations, and panchayats will oversee construction.”
The cow shelters will be managed by NGOs registered with either the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board, the Gau Seva Commission, or the Indian Animal Welfare Board. These organizations will be tasked with the day-to-day care of the animals, ensuring their well-being in the new facilities.
