Gaudham Yojana: Chhattisgarh’s Initiative for Rural Empowerment and Livestock Conservation

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s government in Chhattisgarh is implementing the Gaudham Yojana to revitalize the rural economy and enhance livestock conservation. This ambitious initiative aims to improve animal breeds, ensure their safety, and create new jobs through organic farming, fodder development, and the promotion of cow-based industries in villages. The Gaudham Yojana is crafted to provide care for abandoned and stray cattle while offering herders and gau-servants a stable income, thus fostering economic stability and self-reliance in rural areas. The draft of the Gaudham Yojana has been approved by the Finance and Animal Husbandry Department. This scheme seeks to protect and improve the health of bovine animals using scientific methods, promote gau-products, develop training centers at Gaudham sites, support fodder development programs, provide employment to local communities, and protect livestock from accidents and crop damage. The plan particularly focuses on protecting animals seized during illegal trafficking or found as strays. The capacity of each Gaudham will be up to 200 animals. The monthly honorarium for herders is set at ₹10,916, and for gau-servants at ₹13,126. In addition, a daily allocation will be provided for animal feed. Top-performing Gaudham facilities will receive financial assistance, starting at ₹10 per animal daily in the first year and rising to ₹35 per day by the fourth year. The budget, rules, and conditions are designed to guarantee smooth operations.