PRAYAGRAJ, June 24 -- In a move aimed at making cow shelters self-reliant and linking cattle conservation with rural economic development, three major cow shelters have been selected in Prayagraj for the installation of biogas plants at a cost of over Rs.95 lakh. The initiative is part of the larger plan to establish biogas plants in more than 300 cow shelters across Uttar Pradesh. The project seeks to promote clean energy generation, organic farming, rural entrepreneurship and employment through cattle-based industries, said officials. Chief veterinary officer Dr Shivnath Yadav said three large cow shelters in the district which are at Devari in Manda block, Umaria Badal in Holagarh block and Dighalo in Meja block, have been selected for the project. A proposal has already been sent to the gram panchayat department, and all three plants are expected to be operational by December this year, he added. The selected shelters collectively house more than 1,600 cattle, ensuring a steady supply of cow dung and urine required for the biogas units. Each shelter will have a biogas plant with a capacity of 45 cubic metres. A similar plant is already functional at the Latifpur cow shelter in Koraon, said officials. In the next phase of the project, the biogas generated at these facilities will be linked to mini bottling units, enabling the supply of compressed biogas (CBG) cylinders to nearby villages as an alternative to conventional cooking gas. "The objective is to connect cow protection with rural employment and economic growth. Products made from cow dung, cow urine and Panchgavya will be promoted through local industries, creating new livelihood opportunities for rural youth," Dr Yadav said....