Why are cattles in Uttar Pradesh glowing during the night? Yogi Adityanath's govt behind it

In a bid to protect the stray cattle, Uttar Pradesh introduced a seemingly simple solution—fluorescent reflective strips placed around the necks and horns of the animals. These glowing strips, visible under vehicle headlights, are designed to prevent accidents in the darkness. Officials claim the initiative has been effective, though concrete data to support these claims is still pending, reported ToI.

In Pilibhit, where the initiative first began, the task of turning stray cattle into beacons has proven both bold and challenging, with obstacles as formidable as the animals it aims to protect. On three key highways—Bareilly-Haridwar NH-74, Pilibhit-Basti NH-730, and Bhind-Lipulekh NH-731—teams of workers attached reflective tapes to 450 stray bulls. The project, costing Rs 400 per animal, was designed to increase visibility, especially for those with black coats that tend to blend into the night.

The initiative’s success is largely attributed to the active support of local villagers. “It’s an ambitious project,” said Virendra Singh, the assistant regional transport officer leading the effort. Villagers not only backed the initiative but also funded much of its cost.


However, the process was far from smooth.

Field teams faced significant risks, as they lacked protective gear and tranquilization tools, leaving them vulnerable to potential attacks from the very animals they were attempting to protect.

"Our personnel succeeded only because of the active support of local villagers," Singh told ToI. "But without proper safety measures, we cannot extend the initiative further."
h strays. Today, that number has grown to an estimated 15 lakh, with 12 lakh reportedly housed in shelters.

A private company working with the state has demonstrated reflective tapes in three sizes, ensuring they fit animals of varying proportions. The project has also opened the door to broader collaboration between the Animal Husbandry Department and the Transport Department, which are mapping accident-prone areas for further intervention.

Additional transport commissioner Pushpsen Satyarthi told ToI, "This is about making roads safer for both humans and animals, preventing unnecessary collisions, and saving lives." For now, the reflective tapes glint in the headlights of passing vehicles-a flicker of hope against the vast darkness of UP's roads. Whether this light can spark systemic change remains an open question.