Microchipping of cattle housed in GCC sheds begins

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) started microchipping and registration of cattle in its modern cow sheds on Saturday.

GCC Veterinary Officer Kamal Hussain said the process to register 160 cows in the modern cow sheds began in Anna Nagar.

Once the process is completed, the GCC will start issuing licences for the microchipped animal on payment of ₹100 by the owner. The microchips will be placed at the base of the animal’s ear, and will have details of the animal and its owner with their Aadhaar number. The GCC will not collect any fee for microchipping and registration.

Tackling stray menace

If a cow or buffalo with a microchip is found straying on the road, GCC officials will scan the chip to trace the owner and get the details recorded.

‘The microchipping and registration of cattle will be completed in the modern cow sheds in Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Royapuram and Teynampet zones next week. After completing the work, we will start microchipping of cattle in residential areas. The works are expected to be completed by March 18.” the officer said.

The largest cow shed constructed by the GCC in Royapuram has 550 cows and buffaloes. Cattle owners pay ₹10 a day to house the animals in the modern cow shed.

Work on the construction of modern cow sheds will be completed in Tondiarpet, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, and Alandur zones by the end of February. By the end of March, the GCC will open 17 modern cow sheds across the city, officials said.