In a State which credits itself for creating the first-ever ministry for protection of cows, the death of hundreds of cows and bulls at Kochar Dungarpatti plateau of the Aravalli Hills due to severe shortage of water and fodder has sent shock waves among the people working for welfare of bovine animals and cattle-rearers.
Even as the present spell of drought has made the conditions difficult for both villagers and animals, the members of vigilante groups who have attacked alleged cow transporters and mobilised people against cow slaughter in other parts of Rajasthan are conspicuous by their absence here.
The large Kochar Dungarpatti plateau is spread across several square kilometres at the junction of Sawai Madhopur, Dausa and Karauli districts. In this Gujjar-dominated belt situated 120 km east of Jaipur, cattle-rearers often abandon cows and bulls at the hilltop during drought when they migrate to other areas in search of livelihood.
Till about two months ago, the cattle population in the region was estimated at about 10,000. Mahesh Chaprana, a native of Sawai Madhopur camping in the region for relief work, said on Tuesday that half of the cattle wealth had been lost and four to five cows and bulls were still dying everyday. Mr. Chaprana has arranged for water and fodder for the bovine animals with the help extended by some philanthropists.
Except Kochar, none of the 25 villages situated on the plateau has regular supply of water and power. Several villages have been abandoned and seven ponds in the region have dried up following the scanty rainfall.
The death of cows came to light when Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot visited the area last month and demanded immediate allocation of funds for saving their lives. The State government initially sanctioned Rs.1.03 crore for the purpose, but the amount was later reduced to Rs.60 lakh and divided between the Animal Husbandry Departments of the three districts.
So far, no relief from the government in the shape of water, fodder or veterinary service has reached the plateau. Mr. Pilot told The Hindu that the death of cows had exposed “falsehood and duplicity” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which raises emotive issues of cow slaughter and seeks votes in the names of cows and temples.
“The government which boasts of having created the country's first Gaupalan Department is oblivious to the painful deaths of bovine animals. Even after I raised the issue, the [State] government's response has been perfunctory,” said Mr. Pilot.
State Gaupalan Minister Otaram Dewasi, in charge of cow affairs, did not respond to calls made by The Hindu. Congress leader from Sawai Madhopur and PCC secretary Danish Abrar said that last week when he went with Congress activists to submit a memorandum to the minister, he had left from the rear gate without meeting the delegation. Congress MLA from Todabhim, Ghanshyam, said the only State action visible in the villages was the recent visit of animal husbandry officials, accompanied by the police force, when they collected the carcasses and bones and buried them in pits and trenches. The local residents met them and demanded that veterinary doctors be sent to treat the dying cows.
Pyar Singh Gujjar of Khad Satolai village said though the summer months were always difficult, the situation had aggravated this year because there was very little rainfall for two consecutive years.
