Uttar Pradesh: Oximeters, thermal scanners in gaushalas
What's the story
Amid the surge in coronavirus cases, the Uttar Pradesh government is providing oximeters and thermal scanners for cows housed in the state's gaushalas. A recent press release from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office also said the state government has issued instructions to set up help desks in every district for the welfare of cows, taking forward its cow protection agenda.
COVID-19
Steps taken to detect early symptoms of COVID-19 in animals
The government has issued instructions that all cowsheds must strictly follow the COVID-19 protocols and made wearing masks and frequent thermal screening mandatory in the gaushalas. It is providing thermal scanners and oximeters, apparently to detect early symptoms in animals of COVID-19, which authorities said on Thursday had killed 353 people in the state over the past 24 hours.
COVID-19 treatment
700 help desks set up across the districts
Gaushalas will be equipped with all the necessary COVID-19-related medical equipment for cows and other animals. In view of the current COVID-19 situation, a total of 700 help desks for the welfare of cows have been set up across the districts of the state. With this, 51 oximeters and 341 thermal scanners have also been provided to ensure better animal care and testing.
Cow shelters
Cow shelters being increased to deal with stray cattle menace
The government is rapidly increasing the number of existing cow shelters to deal with the stray cattle menace, due to the efforts of the chief minister. Giving overall figures, the press release said 5,268 cow protection centers have ensured the well-being of 5,73,417 animals so far in the state. Apart from these, there are larger cow sanctuaries as well in the state.
Further details
Rs. 900/month given to farmers who take care of strays
The statement referred to fodder banks, set up during Adityanath's tenure. There are 3,452 of them feeding stray cattle. Under the Mukhya Mantri Besahara Gauvansh Sahbhagita Yojana, the UP government gives Rs. 900 per month to farmers who take care of stray cattle. In 2020-21, the state government gave Rs. 38.98 crore to 130 cow shelters.