Uttar Pradesh’s Bright Idea: Keeping Stray Cattle Safe at Night”

To keep stray cattle safe, Uttar Pradesh has introduced a bright and easy idea: putting glowing, reflective strips around the necks and horns of cows and bulls. These strips shine brightly when car headlights hit them, making it easier for drivers to see the animals at night and preventing accidents. Local officials say this plan is working, but they are still gathering proof to show its success.

In Pilibhit, where this project started, the task has been exciting but also tough, similar to the challenging nature of the animals themselves. Workers have placed reflective tapes on 450 stray bulls along three busy roads: Bareilly-Haridwar NH-74, Pilibhit-Basti NH-730, and Bhind-Lipulekh NH-731. Each animal costs Rs 400 for this bright upgrade, especially helping animals with black fur that are hard to see at night.

The local villagers have been very helpful and even helped pay for much of the project costs. “It’s an ambitious project,” said Virendra Singh, who is in charge of the effort. However, while villagers supported the workers, the process was not always safe. The workers didn’t have protective gear and tranquilizers, making them vulnerable to the very animals they were helping. Singh explained that they were only able to succeed thanks to the villagers’ support. However, without better safety gear, they can’t continue this effort widely.

Currently, there are about 15 lakh stray cattle in the state, with 12 lakh living in shelters. A private company has created reflective tapes in different sizes to fit animals of all shapes. This project is also helping both the Animal Husbandry Department and the Transport Department work together to mark dangerous roads where more help is needed. Additional transport commissioner Pushpsen Satyarthi stated, “This is about keeping the roads safe for both people and animals, stopping accidents, and saving lives.” Right now, the reflective tapes shine brightly in the headlights of passing cars—a small sign of hope in the dark roads of Uttar Pradesh. Whether this bright idea can lead to lasting change is still a question that remains open.