Cow W
tourism
in
Gujarat
People interested in
understanding about
cow rearing and
various other aspects,
such as making
products using cow
urine and dung, are
taken to a two day trip
of some of the best-kept
cow shelters as well as
designated 'gauchars'
(grazing land),
says Gauseva Ayog
chairman Vallabh
Kathiria.
hile Asiatic lions remain
one of the biggest tourist
attractions in Gujarat, the
humble cow is set to become the
newest draw for travellers in the
state.
Gujarat has initiated a 'cow
tourism' project to promote and
popularise bovine rearing in the state.
It has been introduced by the Gujarat
State Gauseva Ayog.
Cow tourism is a step towards
making people understand the
economic benefits of keeping cows.
Most people are not aware that we
can earn good income by preparing
some basic products, such as bio-gas
and medicines, using cow dung and
urine. Cow tourism is all about
combining the religious aspect with
the economical aspect attached with
the cow, Kathiria said.
While cow urine has several
medicinal and disinfectant properties
and its extract is used in making
organic phenyl and soap, cow dung
serves as a raw material for producing
bio- gas, fertiliser and for making
incense sticks.
Under this project, a two-day tour
is arranged for the shelters doing a
commendable job in not only keeping
the cows in good condition but also
making money by preparing cow dung
and urine-based products.
Ap art from cow shelters, grazing
land (gauchars) are also included in
the itinerary. One of the most popular
destinations as far as gauchar goes is
Dharmaj, a village near Anand.
Preparing a guachar is also an
art and one such grazing land has
been prepared at Dharmaj. People,
who are concerned about the well-
being of cows, take ideas from such
model gauchar during the trip and
implement them at their village.
Many tourists have even started
rearing cows and built gaushalas
after learning about the monetary
benefits during our trips. This all will
help in preserving and protecting the
holy animal," said the former Union
minister.
Protection of cows has become a
priority in Gujarat after the state
government last year introduced a
tough law against cow slaughter with
a provision for life sentence.
Apart from cow tourism, the Ayog
is undertaking many other initiative
to encourage people to rear cows. The
Ayog is in consultation with various
jails and educational institutions to
start cow shelters on their premises.
At present, jails in Ahmedabad,
Rajkot and Bhuj have their cow
shelters. Gondal and Amreli jails
have also been targetted for opening
such gaushalas in their premises.
These apart, several colleges and
even universities have expressed
willingness to start cow shelters on
their premises.
9 | May 2018 | www.smartgovernance.in