Animal Husbandry

Five cheetahs, three females and two males will be released from the acclimatisation camps into free-ranging conditions in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park before the onset of the monsoon in June, said the Union Environment Ministry. The ministry said the decision was taken after a team of experts reviewed the current status of the "Project Cheetah" on the directions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA.)

Amid protest by the Congress and JD(S), the Karnataka Legislative Council on February 8 passed the anti-cow slaughter bill. Passed through voice vote, the bill provisions 3-7 year imprisonment, besides fine ranging from Rs 50,000-10,00,000, for slaughter of cattle. Earlier, the bill that was tabled by Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhan drew flak from the Opposition which termed it oppressive against certain communities. However, Chauhan… read-more

Aiming for cow-welfare, Madhya Pradesh's animal husbandry department has suggested levying 'cow tax' on fuel usage in the state. The department has proposed to charge 15 paise per litre on petrol and diesel, along with Rs 10 on gas cylinders. Reportedly, the tax estimates to fetch around Rs 200 crore a year. Interestingly, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have already laid 'cow tax' in their states.