To control the rising stray cattle crisis, Madhya Pradesh plans to tag 4 million animals with saffron ear tags for easy identification and tracking.
In a move to tackle a growing crisis on its roads and farmlands, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced a new digital tagging system for stray cattle. Soon, four million stray cows and bulls across the state will be fitted with saffron-colored ear tags, distinct from the yellow tags worn by domestic, privately owned livestock.
This initiative, part of the nationwide Bharat Pashudhan Project, aims to solve a basic but frustrating problem for authorities: telling the difference between a truly homeless animal and a “domestic” cow that a farmer has simply let out to graze.
Why the Color Change?
For years, all cattle in the state were tagged with yellow markers. However, this made it difficult for cattle-catching teams to operate effectively. Officials say they often faced backlash from farmers when domestic cows were accidentally rounded up and sent to shelters.
By using saffron tags for strays and yellow tags for domestic animals, the government hopes to:
- Speed up removal: Teams can instantly identify which animals belong in shelters.
- Reduce disputes: Farmers will no longer worry about their productive livestock being seized by mistake.
- Track history: Each tag features a unique 12-digit ID number, allowing the government to monitor the animal’s health and movement through a digital database.
A Deadly Crisis on the Roads
The decision comes as stray cattle numbers have surged, leading to tragic consequences. Data from the State Crime Record Bureau for 2024 and 2025 paints a grim picture:
- 237 road accidents were caused specifically by stray cattle.
- These accidents resulted in 94 deaths and 133 injuries.
Beyond the human cost, farmers are reeling from crop destruction. During the Kharif season, roaming herds can destroy entire fields in a single night. While abandoning cattle is illegal under the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, many owners of non-productive (dry) cows quietly release them into the streets to avoid the cost of feeding them.
Fines and Accountability
The government is also tightening the screws on owners who treat the streets as a free pasture. Under the amended Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporations Act, fines for letting cattle roam have been set at:
- ₹200 for the first offense
- ₹1,000 for the third offense
- ₹150 per day to cover the animal’s feeding costs while it is detained
Will It Work?
While many welcome the clarity the new tags provide, some remain skeptical. Farmer leader Kedar Sirohi noted that while the color distinction helps, the core issue remains the lack of space and resources to house four million animals.
“The government says no stray cattle will be seen on the roads within two years,” said a local official. “The saffron tags are the first step in ensuring every animal is accounted for, whether it’s in a home or a government shelter.”
