The Maharashtra government on September 30, 2024 declared the State’s indigenous cow breeds as ‘RajyaMata-Gomata’.
- The decision was taken due to the concerns over their dwindling numbers.
- The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to implement a subsidy scheme for the rearing of indigenous cows.
- Under the scheme, goshalas will be given ₹50 per cow per day.
- According to the state government, different indigenous breeds are found in different parts of the State (Devni and Lalkandhari in Marathwada division; Khillar in Western Maharashtra; Dangi in North Maharashtra; and Gavlau in Vidarbha, are examples). However, the number of indigenous cows is decreasing with each day.
- The state government further said that the milk of indigenous cows is a complete meal as it contains nutrients essential for the human body.
- Considering its value to human diet, use of Panchgavyacha [mixture of five products derived from cows] in Ayurveda medical system and the importance of dung and urine of indigenous cows in the organic farming system, the decrease in the number of indigenous cows is a matter of concern.
