Plastic 'build-up' in cattle tummy reflects city's open mess?

60% of animals at Kanha Upvan suffer illness due to consumption of plastic from spots where open dumping of waste is rampant, say vets

- Animesh Mishra

LUCKNOW: Most of the cattle at the Kanha Upvan have already consumed plastic apparently before being housed here and are vulnerable to disease, reflecting the failure of Lucknow Municipal Corporation's anti-plastic drive in the state capital.

Officials say 60% of the cattle at this facility suffer illness due to plastic ingestion, and for this, treatment including surgery has to be done to save their lives.

Lucknow is estimated to have around 33,000 stray cattle, of which approximately 11,000 are housed in LMC-run shelters, while the remaining 22,000 are in rural areas.

Nearly 60% of stray cattle rescued by the LMC and sent to Kanha Upvan go through serious internal complications due to consumption of plastic from spots where open dumping of waste is rampant, said veterinary officials.

Despite UP government's Rs 2,000-crore budget in 2025-26 for stray cattle care, many of these animals continue to die after consuming banned plastic bags - a result of the LMC's negligence in enforcing strict action against vendors for using banned polythene.

The state has around 13 lakh stray cattle. However, the use and sale of plastic carry bags continues openly, despite the ban.