As the developer's rampaging demolition team knocks down houses in Kampung Buah Pala, there is one outstanding issue that remains unresolved - what is the fate of the High Chaparral cattle and life stock.

NONE Until the late 1970s each household in Kampung Buah Pala was rearing live stock on their premises.

However, the lack of manpower resulting from the the number of cowherds dwindled to only four households belonging to the same Muthu Thevar family descendants.

Now four members of the family - KT Murugan, 46, his brothers - Sivananthan, 39, and Kalimuthan, 37, - and cousin brother R Supramaniam, 59, are collectively rearing about 300 cows on two ranches.

Their ranches were not demolished on Monday because they were situated on state land, and not the Oasis project site.

Although the ranches were spared by the developer's bulldozers, the four are now in dilemma on whether they can go on with their economic activities at the same place.

Murugan alleged that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had specifically told the cowherds during one of the many meetings with villagers that cattle cannot be reared in the city.

"He had asked us to move out when the lucrative project kick starts," said Murugan.

State not bothered with cows

Even developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd executive director Thomas Chan told a press conference last week that the state government was not bothered to address the cattle issue.

The four brothers however, have different of opinions on how to solve their dilemma and have yet to decide collectively on a single solution.

Sivananthan said he would seek the state government's help to get a piece of land for a long term lease to rear the livestock.

"Perhaps we can buy some time since the project is not affecting our ranches.

NONE "Given that the village is now dead and buried , sooner or later we have to move out.

"We have to start looking for a permanent land now to avoid another Kampung Buah Pala problem later," said Sivananthan.

Kampung Buah Pala was once was the major of supplier fresh cow's milk on the island, including the Penang Hospital.

Now it only supplies some 500 litres of milk daily.

The cattle, goats and cowherds are the symbolic and religious features of the village.

The existence of the livestock was the main reason why it has been nicknamed High Chaparral.

The bulls are used in bull fights during the village annual Tamil Thai Ponggal Jalli Kaddu (Bull Fights) festivities.

Land to be bought

Now it will all disappear permanently in Bukit Gelugor to make way for Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd to build its Oasis condominiums.

NONE An idea has been mooted to relocate and rebuild the village, including the ranch, on a nearby freehold land.

The village committee plans to start a trust fund to collect public donations to try and acquire the land.

Supramaniam welcomes the idea and wants the committee to work it out fast.

"First we must secure a freehold land and then start the trust fund.

"Secondly, everyone must help to collect public funds," he proposed.

The village committee is expected to meet soon to decide on the trust fund, alternate land and further court action on the developer and land owner Koperasi Pegawai Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.

The committee already plans to file a RM4 million suit against the developer to claim damages for demolishing their houses, arguing that the court order was only for vacant possession.