Hazaribagh:
You’ve heard of hostels for students, but now Hazaribagh in Jharkhand has introduced a unique concept — a hostel for cattle. The facility has been specially designed to house cows and other livestock safely and comfortably for a few days.
Launched by the Hazaribagh Gaushala Committee, this initiative offers a clean, homely environment with timely meals and medical care for the animals. According to the management, a small daily fee will be charged for keeping cattle in the hostel.
For many cattle owners, the biggest challenge arises when they have to leave home temporarily and have no one to care for their animals. This new service aims to solve that problem by providing a safe and well-maintained shelter where the cows’ food, hygiene, and health are all taken care of.
Committee member Manoj Gupta explained that the initiative has been started with the support of the Kolkata Pinjrapole Society, which originally established the Hazaribagh Gaushala in 1885 and has been involved in cow welfare ever since. He mentioned that currently, more than 500 cows reside in the Gaushala, many of which were rescued in poor or injured conditions.
Another committee member, Arvind Rana, shared that the cattle are provided with fresh fodder, water, and medicines daily. Immediate treatment facilities are also available in case of illness. He said this arrangement would be particularly beneficial for cattle owners who frequently travel or live alone.
Local cattle owners have welcomed the initiative. Nandlal Mehta, a local farmer, said, “This is a wonderful facility. Now, whenever I have to go out of town, I can leave my cow here without any worry.”
The Hazaribagh Gaushala Committee believes this concept could inspire similar facilities in other districts. If the demand grows, the committee plans to expand the capacity of the cattle hostel in the future.
