Government makes big claim in High Court: 46 shelters for stray animals, 36 cow shelters approved
21-Jan-2026
Bilaspur | The state government has made a significant claim in the High Court regarding road accidents and crop damage caused by stray animals in Chhattisgarh. The government informed the court through an affidavit that 46 temporary cattle shelters are currently operating in the state, housing 4,160 stray cattle.
The government clarified that this arrangement is not temporary, but a step taken towards a permanent solution and for this, work is being done rapidly on the 'Gaudhaam Yojana'.
According to the state government, administrative approval has been received for the establishment of 36 new cow shelters. Each will have a capacity to house 200 cattle. Currently, three cow shelters are operational. Construction and renovation work is underway at eight more. These cow shelters will be operated through voluntary organizations, cow shelter committees, and farmer groups.
Monitoring tightened, nodal officer appointed
Following the High Court's strict stance, the government has also strengthened its monitoring system. The Registrar of the Chhattisgarh State Cow Service Commission has been appointed the nodal officer for monitoring stray animals.
Veterinary doctors have been instructed to regularly inspect shelter homes and submit monthly reports on health check-up, vaccination and fodder and water.
Arrangements at the village panchayat level, relief to crops
The Principal Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department informed the court that temporary shelters have been established at the village panchayat level to protect crops from damage. After harvest, cattle are returned to their owners. This model has been successful in Beltara and Sukulkari village panchayats. Special measures are being taken to improve road safety in coordination with the Home Department and NHAI.
After the government's response, the division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agarwal has fixed the date of next hearing on this PIL on March 23.
