KATHMANDU, July 27: The Supreme Court (SC) has instructed the government to prepare a separate bill focused on the protection and promotion of cows, Nepal’s national animal, and present it in Parliament.
The apex court emphasized that the current efforts to protect cows are inadequate and highlighted the need for a dedicated legal framework to ensure effective conservation and management.
A joint bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued the order, directing authorities to maintain an updated record of all immovable property owned by cow shelters (gaushalas) across the country. The court also asked the government to ensure that these properties are used solely for raising and protecting cows.
The order further stated that the federal government must allocate necessary land for gaushala operations based on recommendations from local governments.
To address the growing number of stray and abandoned cows, the court ordered the establishment of at least one gaushala in each local unit. These shelters can be run by farmers’ groups, NGOs or religious institutions.
The SC also instructed authorities to provide free insurance for cows raised by farmers and to coordinate across all three levels of government for the marketing of dairy products like milk, yogurt and ghee.
Additionally, the apex court ordered the preservation of indigenous cow breeds found in the mountains, hills, and Tarai by documenting them and preventing their extinction.
The court has also issued a directive to the Office of the Attorney General and the Police Headquarters to investigate complaints related to cow slaughter, mistreatment, or abandonment.
It emphasized that cows should not be exported for purposes other than breeding and called for stronger monitoring to prevent misuse. Lastly, it urged the government to prioritize the regulation and market management of cow-based products.
The full text of the verdict, which was originally issued on 12 November 2024 , was made public by the SC last week.