Procurement of cow urine for Gou Dhan Ark production strategy to protect local hill cows and supporting the livelihood of rural women

With the blessing and honourable direction of Swami Haridas ji Maharaj (saint who believes in the Practical Vedanta principle of Swami Vivekarianda) Manav Sewa Mission Gangori Uttarkashi Uttarakhand, revived the unique concept of Indian Ayurveda by preparing Gou Dhan Ark(Cow Urine Distillate) from the urine of local hill cows in Uttarkashi District.

Gou Dhan Ark (Cow Urine Distillate) with its unique medicinal properties used in many Ayurvedic formulations and mainly consumed directly for its anti-cancerous and rejuvenating properties. So, the concept to procure cow urine of hill cows at the rate of Rs.5/Litre supported the livelihood of rural women, employment opportunity to one woman/village at the rate of Rs 1/Litre for running cow urine collection centre and supervision to ensure quality cow urine and up to a great level reduced the emerging trend of abandoning infertile cows in nearby town and forest. The organisation facilitated bank tie-up of JLGs supplying cow urine to pay the cow urine procurement price directly to their accounts on monthly basis.

Patanjali Gramodhyog Nyas introduced latest trend and technology in the cow urine procurement and distillation, also ensured marketing of Gou-Dhan Ark through Divya Pharmacy Haridwar. Patanjali Gramodhyog Nyas also established tie-up with local veterinary departments by aviling facilities to keep cows disease free to get quality cow urine as raw material.

Since agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy, Patanjali Gramodhyog Nyas also encouraging the production of local cereals, pulses, medicinal & aromatic plants and procuring these village apri produce at farm gate by the channel of same female collectors of cow urine and paying her commission per Kg agri-produce and thus successfully eliminated the middlemen in supply chain with JLGs.

Since infertility is high among hill local breed cow. So, for present data, out of 6000 cows form whom cow urine is being sourced approximately 2500 cows are infertile and they are retained by farmers because from one cow they are earning Rs 15-18/Day and since medical certification of every cow is necessary, So this concept not only ensure retention of hill cow but also their good health.

At present Patanjali Gramodhyog Nyas and Manav Sewa Mission procuring 3.5 Lac Litre cow urine/month from more than 200 JLGs comprised of 2200 rural women and supporting their livelihood by paying INR17.5 Lac/month for cow urine. Average earning of village female collectors is INR2000-3000/Month.

Out of the profit generated, organisation is running two schools one for physically challenged children and another for drop out and failed students from different educational institutions. One Sanskar Kedra has been established at every cow urine supplying village and collector/village supervisor is co-ordinating the Kendra. Sanskar Kendra comprised of 20 children of age group 3–15 Years and 1 Female leader of age 15–18 years is leading the group. Capacity Building of this female leader with respect to various cultural & leadership parameters done and female leader in turn propagate the teachings among village children.