To check the menace of stray cattle in urban areas, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly recently passed the Gujarat Cattle Control (Maintenance and Movement in Urban Areas) Bill 2022, which empowers the state government and local bodies to protect parts of urban areas. Mandatory to declare. gives power. Area or entire urban area as ‘prohibited area’ for animal husbandry and movement. As part of the new law, which has been opposed by the Maldhari community of cattle ranchers, violation will now be a cognizable offence. Sarju Varu, 30, who keeps 10 cows and two buffaloes in Milpara in the heart of Rajkot city, is unhappy with the law.
How will the new law affect you?
Fodder will not be available for free under the new law; It will be sold only in the designated areas. In that case, maintaining my herd is going to be a very costly affair as I do not know where I will need to go to buy the bait. And suppose they notify Milpara as a prohibited area, then I will be forced to migrate with my herd to some place outside the city. I have 125 customers in the city. If I have to go out considering the rate of petrol, how will I be able to make two trips in the city every day? This law will push us Maldhari to the margins of the city. I think this is a conspiracy in favor of big dairies.
How long have you been living in Rajkot?
My grandfather Lakshmanbhai had come to Rajkot city from Motawada village, 35 km from here, about 60 years ago. This city has been home to four generations of our family.
Are the merchants doing other business?
We are traditionally the supplier of milk, but gradually Maldhari has started running tea stalls in cities and towns. The community is also getting involved in milk-processing – a cousin of mine has set up a cheese plant.
Is animal husbandry suited to the urban landscape?
Is animal husbandry an illegal activity? We Maldhari are just practicing our traditional business.
What is the solution according to you?
I agree that cattle should not be left on city streets. But the problem is really those bulls and male calves which are of no use these days. I am not against the law but the government should also think about the means of our livelihood. If we go outside the city limits, as the city grows, we will be kicked out again. But if the government allots us land – even if it is on the outskirts but with a long-term guarantee – we can consider moving out. If the government can allot land to Amul Dairy, it can certainly allot some land to Maldhari, which supplies milk to everyone, including Amul.