Amid beef shortage, Goa to form guidelines for cowsheds

Even as Goa is grappling with a chronic beef shortage, pollution authorities here are in the process of formulating guidelines for maintenance of cowsheds located in the state's residential areas.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board Jose Noronha said a member of the board had already been deputed to form guidelines in view of the complaints received about pollution caused by cowsheds in various parts of the state.

"The board has been receiving a lot of complaints about cow sheds in residential areas. So we have proposed that we will put up some guidelines on how the cow shed should be, what should be the area, what should be the flooring how to take care of the cow dung, urine, composting etc," Noronha said.

The study comes at a time when the state is grappling with beef shortage for nearly a month, with fresh beef virtually unavailable in the state for over a week now.

Noronha said the board had received complaints from several parts of Goa about pollution caused by cowsheds located in close proximity or within residential areas.

He also said once formulated and notified, the guidelines would be implemented by the state government's health department.

"A board member has been put in charge to formulate the guidelines and submit to the board," Noronha said.