Overview

• The Maharashtra government has granted 'Rajya Mata' status to indigenous cows, highlighting their spiritual, scientific, and historical importance.
• The decision aims to support sustainable farming practices by promoting the use of cow dung for soil fertility and cow milk for human nutrition.
• A new subsidy scheme will provide ₹50 per day for the rearing of indigenous cows in goshalas, managed by the Maharashtra Goseva Commission.
• The move seeks to reverse the declining population of indigenous cows, which fell by 20.69% according to the 2019 animal census.
• This announcement comes just before the upcoming state assembly elections, emphasizing the cow's role in India's cultural landscape since the Vedic period.