Khatima: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a newly built gaushala at Haldighera in Khatima on Thursday. The facility, constructed at a cost of ₹7.23 crore, is intended to shelter stray cattle and ease the burden on farmers and local residents.
During the same ceremony, Dhami laid foundation stones for fifteen development schemes with a combined estimated outlay of ₹108.84 crore. The flagship scheme among them is the upgrade of a 13.60‑km stretch of State Highway‑70 from Satrah Meel to the Nanak Sagar sector, for which ₹34.44 crore has been earmarked.
The chief minister emphasized that the Haldighera gaushala will be expanded in the future to accommodate a growing number of stray cattle. He highlighted that a larger, well‑managed shelter will improve animal care, reduce road‑related accidents, and provide relief to the farming community.
Dhami underscored that protecting cattle is deeply rooted in Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, describing it as both a social duty and a cornerstone of the state’s identity. He assured that the government continues to strengthen mechanisms for stray‑cattle protection and welfare.
According to the CM, more than 16,000 stray cattle are currently housed in gaushalas across the state. The pilot Gramya Gau Sevak Yojana has been launched, and land at 63 sites has been identified for new gaushalas with assistance from the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments.
In parallel, the administration is linking cattle protection with rural economies by setting up special growth centres that promote pure ghee and dairy products derived from Badri cow milk.
Dhami also noted that national‑level initiatives are underway to preserve India’s cultural traditions while bolstering the livestock sector. He added that the state’s focus remains on delivering infrastructure and public‑welfare projects across Khatima and Udham Singh Nagar, including roads, bridges, educational institutions, and flood‑mitigation works.
Completing these projects on schedule without compromising quality continues to be a top priority for the Uttarakhand government.
