THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Public Sector Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL) has stepped in to feed the cows and calves found in a pitiable condition at a ‘goshala’ run by a private trust in the city.
Acting fast on the direction of Minister for Forest, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Zoos K Raju, KFL delivered an initial lot of 15 bags of its premium brand ‘Midukki’ cattle feed at the cow shelter on Wednesday. Raju, who visited the ‘goshala’ located close to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here, directed KFL authorities to urgently provide cattle feed for the starving herd at the facility.
The pitiable condition at the facility, which houses about 30 cows and calves, came to light after a surprise visit to there by Minister for Devaswom, Co-operation and Tourism Kadakampally Surendran the other day, based on complaints he received about the poor upkeep of the animals.
“What is immediately required is to ensure supply of enough feed to the cows. This will be taken care of by KFL,” Raju said.
The Minister, accompanied by officials of the KFL and Dairy Development Department, also instructed veterinarians under his departments to take care of the health of the herd. “A team of doctors (veterinarians) will be visiting the shelter today itself to check up the cows and prescribe medicines and other medical care required by them,” he said. Dr B Sreekumar, MD, KFL, said immediately on instruction from the Minister, 15 bags of cattle feed had been supplied to the cow shelter, as that was the urgent step needed in the prevailing situation.
“It is so unfortunate to see many cows and calves, most of them pure native breed, in such a pathetic situation”, Dr Sreekumar said.
“As the only PSU in the animal husbandry sector, we are ready to supply as much cattle feed as needed by the cow shelter. If no solution is found for the problem, then we are willing to continue to provide feed to ensure that the cows are not left starving”, Dr Sreekumar added.
“We don’t know what lead to the prevailing situation at the cow shelter. KFL is stepping in just out of our sympathy for the herd.”, Dr. Sreekumar added.
