Stray cattle menace haunts Walled Jaipur

JAIPUR: Lockdown has taken a toll on the civic administration of the Walled City. Residents of this area have been complaining about the growing number of stray animals. Jitendra Singh, resident of ward 27 of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC)-Heritage, said that stray cattle that are left free on the road belong to illegal dairies functioning in the area. “You can find cows everywhere. The moment we get outside the house we find cows sitting there. Not only this they have also injured old people and kids,” said Soni.
The councillor of the ward, Bhagwati Devi, told TOI that they have filed complaints many times, but the municipal corporation employees work in connivance with these dairy owners. “The animals are found in the entire Walled City area. After several complaints the municipality vehicles arrive to catch the cattle, but the workers call up dairy owners beforehand who quickly take away their cattle,” said Devi.
Councillor Lalita Jaiswal of ward 72 describes the miserable condition of the one ‘Heritage Walk’ that the city has. “Only one heritage walk which is on Jaipur’s tourist map is conducted. But if you come here, you will find pigs and cows all around. They have injured many people, especially commuters. We have filed complaints hundreds of times, but it falls on deaf ears,” said Jaiswal.
Replying to the rising problem of stray cattle, deputy mayor of JMC-Heritage, Modh Aslam Faruqqi said, “I have not received any such complaint but if I do then I will take immediate action. JMC-Heritage vehicles are always on the lookout for such animals. We will look into the issue.”
Dairy business has been going on in the entire city which has been termed illegal by the high court. As per HC’s orders, dairies are to be shifted outside the city but due to vote bank politics they are still functioning.