The Greater Chennai Corporation’s initiative to microchip domestic cattle and regulate urban cattle rearing has seen limited success, with only 11% of the city’s registered cattle microchipped six months after the launch. The campaign, which mandated licensing and microchipping of all cattle and buffaloes in Chennai, aimed to enhance animal identification and address the issue of stray cattle on roads and public spaces.
Official data reveals that out of over 22,000 registered domestic cattle, only 2,700 have been microchipped and 2,590 licensed within the stipulated 45-day period. Concerns have been raised about the initiative’s effectiveness in holding cattle owners accountable for violations and curbing the stray cattle problem.
Despite repeated awareness efforts by GCC officials, compliance with the mandatory requirements remains low. Stray cattle roaming freely on city streets continue to disrupt traffic flow and pose safety risks, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement measures to address the persistent issue.
