‘Gau Dham Yojana’ launched in Chhattisgarh – Livestock security, breed improvement and rural economy will get support

Gaudham Yojana will bring a new dimension in livestock conservation, breed improvement and employment – Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai

Raipur, 09 August 2025: The Chhattisgarh government under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai is going to launch the Gaudham Yojana to empower the rural economy and give a new direction to livestock conservation. This ambitious scheme will not only promote the protection and breed improvement of livestock, but will also open new employment opportunities in every village through organic farming, fodder development and cow-based industries. The scheme has been designed in such a way that along with the care of destitute and nomadic bovine animals, shepherds and cow protectors should have a permanent source of regular income, so that economic stability and self-reliance can come in rural life. The draft of the Gaudham Yojana has also been approved by the Finance and Animal Husbandry Development Department. The objective of the Gaudham Yojana is to conserve and promote bovine animals through scientific methods, promote cow products, encourage fodder development program, develop Gaudham as a training center, provide employment to the villagers and ensure protection from crop damage and animal and human loss in accidents.

Special focus on illegal smuggling and protection of nomadic animals*- The Animal Husbandry Department has prepared this scheme especially keeping in mind the safety of animals and nomadic animals caught in smuggling or illegal transportation. Illegal animal smuggling and transportation is already banned in the state. A large number of bovine animals are seized in police action on interstate borders. This scheme is being started to keep these animals and nomadic animals safe. A maximum of 200 bovine animals can be kept in each Gaudham as per its capacity. Under the Gaudham Yojana, shepherds will be given an honorarium of Rs 10,916 per month and cow protectors will be given Rs 13,126 per month. Along with this, a fixed amount will be provided daily for the fodder of the cattle. Utkrisht Gaudham will be given an amount of Rs 10 per day for each animal living there in the first year, Rs 20 per day in the second year, Rs 30 per day in the third year and Rs 35 per day in the fourth year. The budget, rules and conditions for the scheme have been fixed so that there is no problem in operation.

Chief Minister Say – “Gaudham Yojana will increase the safety of livestock and employment in villages” – Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that the Gaudham scheme will ensure the safety of animals in the state and a large number of shepherds and cow protectors will get a means of regular income. Chief Minister Say said that by improving the breed of animals, they can be made to give more milk and be used to their full potential in farming. Along with this, organic farming and fodder development programs will also get momentum in Chhattisgarh, which will increase employment opportunities at the village level and strengthen the economy of the villages.

Suitable government land will be selected for the establishment of Gaudham- Gaudham will be established on such government land where safe enclosure, animal shed, adequate water and electricity facilities are available. In those Gauthans where infrastructure is already developed, the pasture land adjacent to the Gauthan will be given for green fodder production on the basis of availability. Apart from this, if the committee of the nearby registered Gaushala expresses disagreement for operation, then other voluntary organization, NGO, trust, farmer producer company or cooperative society can apply for operation. Gaudhams will be established on the proposal of the district administration, which will be different from the registered Gaushalas. In the first phase, Gaudhams will be established in the rural areas around the major national highways of Chhattisgarh. The district level committee will do a comparative study of the applications received and send the name of the selected institution to the Chhattisgarh State Gau Seva Commission. After approval, there will be an agreement between the selected institution and the commission, after which the operation of the Gaudham will be handed over to that institution.

Cowdung will not be purchased, fodder development will be encouraged- Cowdung will not be purchased in the cowshed, the cowherd will himself use the cowdung. Only destitute and nomadic bovine animals will be kept here and they will be protected and promoted through scientific methods. Cowsheds will be given priority in operation. The committee of the cowshed registered in the State Cow Service Commission, voluntary organization, NGO, trust, farmer producer company and cooperative society will be eligible for operation. The cowshed will be given money on the basis of the number of animals living there. Financial assistance will also be given for fodder development on the land adjacent to the cowshed – there is a provision of Rs 47,000 for fodder development program in one acre and Rs 2,85,000 for five acres.

Cowsheds will become training centers, cow products will be promoted- Each cowshed will also be developed as a training center. The operating committee or institution will train the villagers on cow products and motivate them for cow-based farming. Besides this, Gaushala will also become a medium for training, production and sale of earthworm compost, insect controller, cow wood, gonoil, diya, toothpaste, incense sticks etc. from cow dung and cow urine.