India, March 10 -- Around four million stray cattle in Madhya Pradesh will be issued unique 12-digit saffron tags to differentiate them from domestic animals and help the government manage them better.

Stray cattle were responsible for 237 road accidents, leading to 94 deaths and 133 injuries, according to the State Crime Record Bureau's 2024 and 2025 data. Farmers have complained about stray cattle damaging crops, especially during the Kharif season.

The tags are aimed at bringing stray cattle under the Unique Animal Identification. "We faced difficulties with scanning tags on the cattle. The new colour would make identification easier. The state had requested the Centre for colour distinction in the tags, and in principle approval has...