From gaushala to playroom: Saharanpur’s cow dung toys revive tradition and reduce plastic

In a distinctive fusion of tradition and innovation, the Maa Shakumbhari Kanha Upvan Gaushala in Saharanpur has started producing children’s toys made entirely from cow dung, offering a biodegradable and environmentally conscious alternative to plastic playthings.

Tiny, colourful and moulded into a variety of playful shapes, the toys are quickly gaining popularity not just among children but also as quirky home décor items.

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Mishra, Veterinary and Welfare Officer,“We continuously make efforts to make our cowshed self-reliant, such as making paint, vermicompost and many other things from cow dung. In the same sequence, we have made toys from cow dung. The speciality of these toys is that they are made entirely from cow dung and are completely biodegradable and eco-friendly. The tradition of clay toys that was disappearing – we are reviving that by bringing it back in a new form,” he said.

The toys also serve as a sustainable alternative to mass-produced plastic toys that dominate the market.

“The tradition of clay toys that had disappeared this is one form of its revival – we have introduced cow dung as an alternative to clay. Secondly, considering the prevalence of Chinese toys, this serves as a better alternative. By boycotting Chinese toys, we can embrace indigenous products and promote cow protection.” Dr. Mishra added.

The toys are the newest addition to the gaushala's expanding line of more than 25 cow-based products, and they are reasonably priced at 20 each. The Kanha Upvan Gaushala has earned national recognition and several awards for its pioneering work in developing innovative products derived from cow resources.