UP to train 10,000 Go Mitras for cow protection in villages

Uttar Pradesh will train around 10,000 Go Mitras across villages to strengthen cow protection and involve the younger generation, officials said on Sunday. The initiative will focus on creating awareness about cattle care and their social and economic importance, with village-level outreach programmes targeting children and youth.

Go Seva Commission chairman Shyam Bihari Gupta said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has prioritised cow protection and wants to link it to rural livelihoods. Cow shelters will be tied to economic activities like sale of cow dung and urine-based products, natural farming and biogas production. Master trainers will be prepared first, who will then train others, giving preference to those already interested in cow protection.

The state has over 7,500 cow shelters housing more than 12 lakh cattle. Under the Chief Minister's Participation Scheme and Nutrition Mission, about 1.15 lakh livestock owners care for nearly 1.85 lakh cattle. The government aims to widen public participation while creating employment and rural prosperity.