Last Updated: October 05, 2023, 11:55 IST
A 45-year-old Delhi resident lost his life on September 29 when a bull struck his moving motorcycle. (Representational Image: Shutterstock)
While Noida and Greater Noida authorities ‘actively working’ to capture stray cattle, a Greater Noida-based animal welfare NGO has decided to affix radium reflectors on the horns of community cattle.
Recent deaths in Greater Noida due to stray cattle have not only kept the authorities on toes but also residents who are now looking for innovative methods to avoid accidents.
While Noida and Greater Noida authorities “actively working” to capture stray cattle, a Greater Noida-based animal welfare NGO has decided to affix radium reflectors on the horns of community cattle in the Delhi’s neighbouring region.
A report in Hindustan Times quotes officials at the NGO as saying the purpose is to make these animals more visible to commuters, even in pitch-dark conditions, and reduce road accidents involving cattle on the roads and highways.
The report stated that NGO Sophie Memorial Animal Relief Trust said that their innovative initiative comes in response to two recent accidents in both cities.
A 45-year-old Delhi resident, Naserruddin, lost his life on September 29 when a community bull struck his moving motorcycle. The impact caused him to lose balance, and he was subsequently run over by a speeding truck in the Badalpur area of Greater Noida.
On October 2, just two days later, an SUV driven by Ravi Anand, a 35-year-old originally from Bihar, collided with at least five community cattle on a road in Sector 42. This incident resulted in the deaths of three cows, with two others sustaining injuries.
“To prevent such incidents, our NGO has launched an initiative to attach reflectors to the horns and necks of cattle. We have deployed three to four teams of volunteers across Noida and Greater Noida to safeguard these animals and prevent accidents,” Kaveri Rana, the founder of the NGO, was quoted by HT.
She noted that the difficulty of spotting cattle on the roads at night often leads to accidents, the report stated.
“Radium reflectors on the animals’ horns and necks are intended to make them more visible to commuters and help avoid mishaps. The goal is to reduce accidents in the city, and we hope that local authorities will support our efforts to protect cattle and prevent accidents,” Rana was quoted.
Efforts by Noida, Greater Noida Authorities
• SP Singh, deputy general manager (DGM) of Noida Authority, was quoted as saying: “Four authority teams are actively working in the city to capture stray cattle and mitigate accidents. We also impose penalties on cow owners who allow their cattle to roam on the roads.” After capture, these cattle will be relocated to cowsheds for better care, he added.
• Medha Roopam, additional CEO of Greater Noida Authority, was quoted: “The authority has deployed cattle capture teams in Greater Noida, and area-wise rosters have been prepared to manage this situation effectively.”