Stray cattle crisis: Rising economic, environmental and safety challenges and ongoing efforts toward solutions

Ghodaghodi Municipality, Kailali: With the increasing use of modern agricultural technology, the bull that once ploughed fields has now become a burden for farmers.

With the introduction of modern farming tools for tillage, cows that no longer produce milk have turned into an economic liability for farmers. There was a time when every cowshed in villages across Kailali was filled with cattle, and bulls were essential companions for farmers working in the fields early in the morning with ploughs on their shoulders.

Cattle once played a crucial role in ploughing fields, producing manure, providing milk, and supporting household economies. The prosperity of villages was often measured by the number of cattle in sheds. However, as the cost of rearing livestock increased, many farmers began leaving cattle free. This trend has contributed to a growing problem of stray cattle, which has now become a serious social and environmental challenge in Kanchanpur and Kailali in the Far West.

Police Inspector Sitaram Bista of the Sudurpaschim Province Traffic Office, Attariya, said that most road accidents are caused by stray animals.

According to a study by the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Center in Kailali, there are around 3,000 stray animals on the roads of Kailali and Kanchanpur. The impact of stray cattle is also heavily felt in farmlands, where farmers are increasingly concerned as crops are damaged overnight.

The month of Jestha is a key season for paddy seed sowing, but farmers say protecting seedlings has become difficult due to stray animals. Many farmers now use barbed wire fencing and take turns guarding their fields at night to protect crops.

Mayor of Ghodaghodi Municipality, Khadak Rawat, said that in some areas, cows and bulls are dying due to lack of food, water, and proper care in cowsheds and holding centers established in Ghodaghodi, Lamkichuha, Bhajani, Joshipur, and Godavari areas.

The well-managed cowshed operating in Tikapur has attracted significant attention. Along with protecting stray cattle, the facility has also begun generating income from livestock management.

According to Uttam Kumar Shah, chairperson of the Cowshed Management Committee, earlier farmers had to be requested to bring manure, but now cow dung fertilizer is being sold at Rs 6,500 per trolley.

Currently, 10 employees are working at the facility, with budget support from Tikapur Municipality and Janaki Rural Municipality helping cover salaries and operational costs.

A biogas plant has also been installed at the cowshed, supplying gas to 40 local households at a rate of Rs 45 per unit.

Senior Forest Officer at the Division Forest Office, Bishwaraj Pandit, said that uncontrolled grazing has seriously affected the natural structure of forests.

Conservationist Vijayraj Shrestha added that unregulated grazing is impacting not only vegetation but also soil structure and quality, raising broader environmental concerns.