An Australian company is poised to tackle a centuries-old dilemma—managing the millions of sacred cows that roam the streets of India, according to The Age.
Dan Drum, CEO of Melbourne-based asset management technology firm Hardcat, is nearing final negotiations to help round up and manage stray cattle in Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous states.
According to a 2019 livestock census, Uttar Pradesh alone had 1.18 million stray cattle. Nationally, the number is estimated to be around 5 million, causing road accidents and crop damage across the country, the report states.
Drum, who visited New Delhi 18 months ago, was struck by the sight of cows meandering through traffic. “At first, it’s astonishing,” he told The Age. “They’re everywhere. Drivers just navigate around them, but the problem is huge.”
Hardcat, in collaboration with two Indian companies, is set to launch trials for the Animal Tagging and Asset Management System by the end of 2024. During the six-month trial, the company will supply software for the tracking of 20,000 stray cows in Uttar Pradesh, equipping each animal with a solar-powered GPS collar.
The collars will monitor the cows’ heart rates, food intake, and body temperature, allowing authorities to track and relocate them to shelters, known as gaushalas. There, their manure and urine can be used for industrial purposes.
Plans are also underway for the construction of a 50-hectare cow sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
Hindus, who make up 80 per cent of India’s population, revere cows, with the slaughter of the animals and consumption of beef strictly prohibited by religion. In Melbourne, Sutharsan Kurukal, a priest at the Shri Shiva Vishnu temple, explained that cow products, such as milk, urine, and dung, are used in religious rituals believed to summon energy and protect against sin and illness. The cow goddess Kamadhenu is worshipped as a divine symbol of abundance, the report further adds.
Drum believes Hardcat’s initiative could be a game-changer. “If successful, this will be revolutionary,” he said. While female cows are kept for their milk, male and aging cows are often released into the streets. Hardcat is expected to earn 50 cents to $1 per cow tracked annually, and if the program expands across India, the company could see substantial profits.
This venture marks an unusual yet ambitious project for Hardcat, which was established in 1981 and has offices in Johannesburg, London, and South Melbourne. Since expanding into India 18 months ago, Hardcat has partnered with local firms and is currently in discussions with 32 potential clients, including six state police forces, The Age reports.
In Goa, Hardcat is also negotiating a deal to provide accreditation systems for tourism-related accommodations and activities. Regarding the cattle project, Drum remains pragmatic. “It’s a bold endeavour, but for us, it’s just another asset management project. Our platform is tried and tested,” he said.
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