Sri Vijaya Puram, June 26: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has reviewed the functioning of Annapurna Gaushala at Calicut, with the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Secretary assessing the shelter’s role in caring for abandoned and injured cattle while assuring departmental support for animal welfare initiatives.
The Secretary of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department visited Annapurna Gaushala, Calicut, on Thursday as part of an ongoing review of livestock welfare and gaushala activities across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The visit focused on evaluating the condition of the facility, the standard of animal care and the management of ownerless and abandoned cattle housed at the shelter.
Members of the Gaushala Committee, including Swami Suddhananda Saraswati, received the Secretary and conducted a tour of the premises. During the visit, the Secretary interacted with the management and staff to examine the infrastructure, animal care practices and welfare measures currently being implemented at the gaushala.
The management informed the Secretary that the gaushala provides shelter for ownerless and abandoned cattle and has adequate arrangements for feed and fodder to support the animals under its care.
The committee also highlighted the facility’s contribution since its inception, stating that the gaushala has provided shelter and treatment to several cows injured in road accidents. The initiative has continued to serve as a refuge for animals requiring care and rehabilitation.
Officials further informed the Secretary about plans to expand the facility. The proposed extension will include a clinic to provide healthcare services for injured animals, with the objective of strengthening treatment facilities for cattle requiring medical attention.
Appreciating the work carried out by the gaushala, the Secretary assured that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services would extend all possible assistance for the treatment of animals and provide technical guidance for their management.
The visit formed part of the Administration’s continuing assessment of livestock welfare infrastructure and animal care services in the islands.
The Secretary was accompanied by the Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Calicut and senior veterinary officers during the inspection.
