Chhattisgarh government to launch Gaudham Yojana for stray cattle protection

The Chhattisgarh government will soon launch a new cattle protection scheme, the Gaudham Yojana, with a “special focus on curbing illegal trafficking and ensuring safety of stray cattle”. It will shelter cows seized by police during anti-smuggling operations, a government statement said.

“The Livestock Development Department has designed this scheme keeping in mind the safety of cattle seized during illegal transportation or smuggling, as well as stray cattle. The State already has a ban on illegal trafficking and transportation of animals. Large numbers of cattle are seized by police during anti-smuggling operations along inter-State borders. The scheme is being launched to ensure a safe shelter for such cattle. Each Gaudham will be able to house a maximum of 200 cattle, depending on capacity,” the release said.

Over the past year, the Chhattisgarh High Court has on more than one occasion expressed concern over stray cattle on roads and highways, noting the risks posed to both animals and humans.

The new scheme includes a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹10,916 for cowherds and ₹13,126 for cattle attendants. Additionally, a fixed daily allowance will be provided for fodder. Outstanding Gaudhams will receive daily per-animal payments — ₹10 in the first year, ₹20 in the second, ₹30 in the third, and ₹35 in the fourth year.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the Gaudham Yojana would ensure livestock safety while providing a regular source of income to cowherds and cattle attendants.

The scheme effectively replaces the now-defunct Gauthan Yojana, launched by the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government three years ago, under which honorariums were decided by local committees operating the Gauthans.

A government official said the Gauthan Yojana had no dedicated budget, with funds sourced from other schemes such as the District Mineral Fund and MGNREGA. After the BJP government came to power, no budget provision was made due to the absence of a detailed plan.

The new scheme has dropped certain provisions of the Gauthan Yojana, such as procuring cow dung for organic fertiliser. “There will be no dung procurement in Gaudhams. Cowherds will utilise the dung themselves. Only stray and abandoned cattle will be kept in Gaudhams, where they will be scientifically conserved and protected. Priority will be given to cowsheds for managing Gaudhams,” the release added.

The Gaudham Yojana will also make use of existing infrastructure created under the Gauthan Yojana. “The Gaudhams will be established only on government land with secure fencing, cattle sheds, adequate water supply, and electricity. In Gauthans where infrastructure already exists, adjoining pastureland will be allotted for green fodder cultivation. If a registered cowshed committee in the vicinity declines to operate a Gaudham, other voluntary organisations, NGOs, trusts, farmer producer companies, or cooperative societies will be eligible to apply for its operation,” the release said.

The scheme will be implemented based on proposals from district administrations and will be distinct from registered cowsheds. “In the first phase, Gaudhams will be established in rural areas located along major national highways in Chhattisgarh. The district-level committee will study all applications comparatively and forward the name of the selected organisation to the Chhattisgarh State Cow Service Commission. After approval, an agreement will be signed between the Commission and the organisation, following which the organisation will take over Gaudham operations,” the release noted.