In a one-of-its-kind conference organised for owners of cow-shelters (gaushalas) here, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said the government was working on a policy to provide protein-rich fodder, free of cost to cattle reared in villages.

The Minister underlined the need to preserve pasture land and suggested that if “500 acres of land (were available), 25 acres be set aside for growing good quality grass and fodder.”