India’s Farmers Threatened by Swelling Numbers of Stray Cows

As Sitabh Malik prepares to harvest his winter crop and plant wheat, he is apprehensive. The 36-year-old spends much of the day patrolling his farm in Abupur village in Uttar Pradesh state to chase stray cows that intrude into his fields and eat his crops. “Whatever crop I planted, such as rice, they did not leave anything,” rues Malik as he walks around his fields on a chilly winter morning. “Then I planted mustard, hoping they won’t eat it, but they ate that up also. Now they are destroying the fodder I have grown.” Even as he speaks...