Gaushala inaugurated in Phulbari, Dhangadhi to manage 150 stray cattle

Dhangadhi: A Gaushala has been inaugurated in Phulbari, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-18, Kailali, as part of efforts to manage stray cattle and mitigate agricultural damage.

The facility, constructed at a cost of over Rs 12 million, was inaugurated on Sunday by Provincial Assembly Member Dharmaraj Pathak. The Gaushala was built from the internal resources of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, with a total expenditure of Rs 12,009,655.

The Consumers Committee constructed two trusses for the Gaushala, costing Rs 6,896,596, of which Rs 4,909,999 was paid by the sub-metropolitan city. Other key construction elements include:
- Fence and guard house: Built by RS Construction, Dhangadhi at Rs 2,885,767 (contract signed on Asoj 10, 2080).
- Boring and storehouse: Developed by RR Construction Services, Dhangadhi for Rs 4,154,986.
- Toilet facilities: Constructed by RS Construction, Dhangadhi for Rs 144,545.

Expansion of Gaushala Infrastructure
Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City has launched a cluster-based approach for cattle management, addressing accidents and crop damage caused by stray animals. The first phase of Gaushala construction included Ward No. 16 (Rampur) and Ward No. 18 (Phulbari). A Gaushala has also been completed in Ward No. 3, while land acquisition is pending for additional facilities in the north and south regions.

The goal is to accommodate 150 community animals in each Gaushala. The sub-metropolitan city plans to partner with organizations to operate these shelters. Additional Gaushalas are also planned for Ward Nos. 6, 11, and 13 and Ward Nos. 9, 10, and 12, but land constraints remain a challenge.

Adoption of Kanpur Model for Cattle Management
Dhangadhi has implemented Kanpur, India's cattle management model. Currently, a Gaushala in Ward No. 3 is run by a private organization, while the sub-metropolitan city operates another in Ward No. 7, located in Deoria Botanical Garden. However, land tenure issues have led to disputes regarding the Ward No. 7 facility.

With the expansion of Gaushalas, Dhangadhi aims to effectively manage stray cattle, improve public safety, and protect farmland from damage.