Spacious grounds . Each campground was specially chosen to provide sufficient space to cater for shelter sheds, storehouses, water tanks, accommodation facilities, clinics, offices and also open space for cattle to move.

Trained volunteers. With so many cattle, trained volunteers were deployed to provide proper care and attention to the cattle. Areas were kept hygienically clean. Fodder and water were supplied on time.

Documentation. Trained staff carefully unloaded cattle on arrival and noted their branding so that they could be returned to their rightful owners once the rains set in. Medical records and other documents were well kept at the onsite offices.

Ample fodder. A minimum of 15-day stock of grass and fodder were stored. Each cattle-head consumed a total of 21 Kg. of fodder a day. BAPS provided 130,750 Kg. of fodder each day, a colossal 31 million kilograms in 8 months for 4 cattle camps.

Sufficient water supply. On average each cattle-head consumed roughly 30 litres of water a day. With 4 cattle camps, BAPS provided 186,300 litres of water a day, a colossal 45 million litres of water in 8 months. To meet the heavy consumption, tube wells for water were sunk in all 4 camps. Water was stored in massive storage tanks. In case of power failure, generators were kept ready to replenish the water tanks.

Well-equipped veterinary hospitals. Each cow, ox or buffalo was given a thorough medical examination on arrival. Qualified and expert doctors were stationed onsite. Regular checks were made, medical records were kept and timely vaccines and other medications were administrated. All cattle were vaccinated for foot and mouth disease and cowpox. Every four to six days, small amounts of potassium permanganate were added to the drinking water to help rid the animals of minor infections. Major operations were also carried out in the special sickbay made for the cattle at the camps.

Protective and spacious shelters. Shelters were arranged to provide shade during the hot day, protection during the cold night and sufficient ventilation. In Bochasan, shelter was provided by natural shades of eucalyptus trees. In Bhavnagar, large cluster s of neem trees and in Sankari, mango groves were used for shelter. In Atladara, a temporary overhead shelter was constructed for the cattle. The shelters had enough space for cattle to move around, stand and sit comfortably.

Water tanks. A large quantity of water was stored onsite. All tanks were disinfected to ensure safe drinking water. The main drinking pools were also regularly cleaned and disinfected.

For 8 months, BAPS cared for 6,210 heads of cattle with their owners, taking into consideration the most minute of details. As the rains approached, BAPS provided transportation and ensured that the cattle reached home safely. Fodder was also provided.

“I must have seen by now a very large number of Cattle Camps and I consider this one as one of the best in Gujarat. Efficient organisation, integrated care of cattle and the overall health of the livestock. I am greatly impressed by the high level of efficiency in such a voluntary effort.”

R. K. Trivedi , His Excellency the Governor of Gujarat

“It is one of the best cattle camps I have ever seen in my entire experience of drought management in the last four years.”

K. Kailasanathan, District Collector of Surat

FODDER DISTRIBUTION

Before the 4 BAPS Cattle Camps were opened, BAPS had donated hundreds of tonnes of fodder to many cattle refuge centres, Gaushalas and Cattle Camps run by other institutions and organisations.

•  100,000 bundles of fodder to the cattle refuge centre at Amreli

•  100,000 bundles of fodder to the cattle refuge centre at Gadhada,

•  500,000 bundles of fodder to a Gaushala in Rapar in Kutch.

•  Fodder was also distributed to farmers of 60 villages in Jamnagar, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts.

•  Farmers, who had sent their cattle to BAPS's 4 Cattle Camps, were also given 2 months stock of fodder when they took their cattle back home.

In total, BAPS distributed 32.3 million kilograms of hay to cattle in BAPS Cattle camps and others during the course of the famine.