Kathmandu: The Supreme Court has directed the government to draft and present a separate bill in Parliament aimed at the protection and promotion of cows, Nepal’s national animal, citing inadequate current efforts.
In a ruling made public last week, a joint bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel emphasized the need for a dedicated legal framework to ensure the effective conservation and management of cows across the country.
The order, originally issued on November 12, 2024, also instructed authorities to maintain detailed records of all immovable property owned by cow shelters (gaushalas) and ensure that the assets are used solely for the care and protection of cows. The federal government has been told to allocate land for gaushalas based on local government recommendations.
To address the growing issue of stray and abandoned cows, the court mandated the establishment of at least one cow shelter in every local unit, allowing them to be operated by farmers’ groups, NGOs, or religious institutions.
Additionally, the court ordered free insurance for cows raised by farmers and called for coordinated efforts among federal, provincial, and local governments to support the marketing of dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and ghee.
In a push to preserve Nepal’s indigenous cow breeds, the court directed the documentation and protection of native species found in the mountains, hills, and Tarai regions.
The verdict also instructed the Office of the Attorney General and the Police Headquarters to investigate reports of cow slaughter, mistreatment, or abandonment. It called for tighter monitoring to prevent the export of cows for purposes other than breeding and urged the government to prioritize regulation and market management of cow-based products.