Drought-hit farmers leave cattle at Nisargsrishti goshala in Ahilyanagar as fodder and water run out
Over 600 animals are at the Isalak shelter, which expects more than 1,000 as farmers unable to feed them hand over cattle.
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Fear of drought has broken farmers in rural areas. Whether in a fodder camp or at their own stakes, they have no water to give their animals and no fodder to feed them. Helpless, farmers are now turning to cow shelters.
The Nisargsrishti Gopalan Sanstha at Isalak currently has more than 600 animals. Even before drought was officially declared, 60 to 70 more cattle have been left there. Another 300 to 400 farmers are in touch with the shelter. With folded hands they say they can no longer manage the animals and ask the shelter to save them. Weeping, they are handing their animals over.
Given the farmers' condition, the number of cattle at the shelter is feared to cross 1,000 in the coming days. Animals are increasing rapidly while water and fodder are short. How to look after so large a herd is a serious and difficult question before the shelter.
The water crisis is also set to deepen. The water that is bought in the village now is close to running out in just two to three months. The worry is that water tankers may later have to be brought from Nagar city. A tanker that costs Rs 1,000 today may have to be bought for up to Rs 2,000 tomorrow.
To make up the fodder shortage, the shelter is preparing to bring wheat straw from Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. Daily expenditure is now Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. It is estimated to double as the number of animals grows.
The shelter says it is receiving guidance and support from Hindutva leaders, but there is a limit to their help. It has therefore appealed to the general public to come forward in this difficult time, rather than depend only on political leaders.
Gautam Karale, founder of the shelter, made an emotional appeal. He said people can somehow arrange food and drink for themselves, but if these voiceless animals are neglected, they will not survive. According to him, if we protect the cow, the cow will protect us. He said people should help generously in this hard hour.
