You can now go for ‘cow safaris’ in India, and ‘bull safaris’ are next

• The Rajasthan government plans to convert the state-run Hingonia Gaushala close to Jaipur to a one-of-a-kind tourism hotspot.
• Ironically, this is the same gaushala (shelter for cows) where 8,122 cows died due to ‘ill-health and accidental injuries’ in 2016.
• The ‘safari’ is slated to begin sometime around Janmashtami (September 2).

Rajasthan, the only state in India that has a Cow Welfare Ministry, now plans to introduce ‘cow safaris’.

And why not. In an age where people are constantly looking to ditch conventions and embrace alternate forms of tourism, like going to slums and villages for the ultimate alternate experience, this idea seems nothing short of genius.

According to a report in the Times of India, the Rajasthan government plans to convert the state-run Hingonia Gaushala close to Jaipur to a one-of-a-kind tourism hotspot. The location will feature machan huts in trees for people to stay in and bullock cart rides for visitors to watch cows graze. The experience also includes getting up close and personal with visitors being given the chance to massage the cows, bathe them and even milk them!

Ironically, this is the same gaushala (shelter for cows) where 8,122 cows died due to ‘ill-health and accidental injuries’ in 2016.

Ayushi Sharma from PETA India had some disturbing insights to share with us with respect to this move: “The Rajasthan government’s “cow safari” using enslaved bulls to haul tourists on carts is sure to turn many people toward a vegan lifestyle and against dairy consumption after they see what pathetic conditions cows and bulls are kept in to be used as milk machines or to give rides. Hingonia Gaushala, where 15,000 cows are housed, and which despite being severely overcrowded, continues to irresponsibly breed even more cows to produce milk is hardly a destination where cow lovers should go.”

The ‘safari’ is slated to begin sometime around Janmashtami (September 2), a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. While the safari will be free of cost, those who opt to stay in the machan huts will have to pay for their stay.

Also, in order to satiate the true bovine lovers even further, once this safari is launched, the government plans to start a ‘bull safari’ in a nearby land.