Lok Sabha Question No. 1935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Research on Cow Urine and Dung
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1935 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/02/2021

## RESEARCH ON COW URINE AND DUNG

## 1935. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY िवान और ौोिगक मंी be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  conducting research on cow urine and dung keeping in view their effectiveness in curing diseases;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof and the research units, departments and
- foreign institutions to be involved in this research programme;
- (c)     whether some Indian scientists have opposed for funding of such
- research;
- (d)     if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)      the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  to encourage research on our ancient science?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी , वान और ौयोगक मंी और पृवी वान मंी ( डॉ. हष वधन )

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The details are as under: -
1.   Ministry of Science & Technology (S&T) has taken the initiative to  launch a  National  Program  on  'Scientific  Utilization  through Research  Augmentation-Prime  Products  from  Indigenous  Cow: SUTRA-PIC  India  Program'.   This  is  a  collaborative  program of Department  of  Science  &  Technology  (DST),  Department  of

Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of New and Renewable

- Energy (MNRE) and Ministry of AYUSH.
2.   Under  this  coordinated  program,  project  proposals  have  been invited  through  Open  call  from  scientists  and  academicians  of Indian  Research  Institutions,  Academia,  S&T  capable  voluntary organizations (NGO's) to carry out Scientific  Research  and Development in the following thematic areas:
-  Uniqueness of Indigenous Cow.
-  Prime-products from indigenous cow for medicine and health; agricultural applications; food and nutrition & for utility items.
3.   The proposals received in response to the above call have been pre-screened involving Expert Group comprising subject experts and officials from relevant Ministries.
- (c),  (d)  & (e).   Earlier some Indian scientists had opposed funding of research  under  proposed  SUTRA-PIC  program.   The  major  concerns raised may be seen at Annexure I.  India is endowed with the largest cattle population in the world, with a huge  biodiversity of 43 indigenous cattle breeds. Indian cattle breed is unique to exotic cattle breed genetically and its adaptation in the concerned local environment. However, the understanding of their uniqueness and the effective  use  of  cow-derived  products  are  confined  to  traditional knowledge passed on through generations based on their experiences. Now,  the Government  is  making  concerted  efforts through this program to scientifically investigate the traditional practices, by using modern  methodology  and  tools.    This  knowledge  will  also  help  in scientifically appropriate utilization of this huge national resource for socio-economic development.

In  another  area  concerning  the  ancient  science,  an  interdisciplinary and meditation was launched in 2015.  This programme is called Science programme in scientific exploration of practices of yoga and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM).

## Annexure I

| Concerns/reasons raised by Indian Scientists to withdraw funding of such research to use cow dung, urine & milk for medicinal purposes   | Concerns/reasons raised by Indian Scientists to withdraw funding of such research to use cow dung, urine & milk for medicinal purposes                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| A.                                                                                                                                       | 'Unique' and 'special' qualities of Indian cows (not clear which particular breed).                                                                                                                                           |
| B.                                                                                                                                       | Cow product-based treatments for a range of exotic disorders proposed in the call, seems to be relatively modern like cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia which were not known to writers of the ancient texts. |
| C. Whether the initiative is a genuine open-ended inquiry into claims on cows or an agenda-driven program.                               | C. Whether the initiative is a genuine open-ended inquiry into claims on cows or an agenda-driven program.                                                                                                                    |