The Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, is initiating the Gautham Yojana to strengthen the rural economy and provide new direction to livestock conservation. This ambitious scheme aims to not only protect and improve livestock breeds but also generate employment opportunities in villages through organic farming, fodder development, and cow-based industries. The Gautham Yojana is designed to care for abandoned and stray cattle, providing a stable income source for herders and cow-servants, thereby fostering economic stability and self-reliance in rural life. The draft of the Gautham Yojana has also been approved by the Finance and Livestock Development Department. The main objectives of the scheme include the scientific conservation and promotion of bovine animals, encouraging cow-based products, promoting fodder development programs, developing Gautham centers as training centers, providing employment to villagers, and ensuring the protection of animals and human life from crop damage and accidents. The focus is on the safety of animals caught in smuggling or illegal transportation and stray animals. The state has already imposed restrictions on illegal animal smuggling and transportation. A large number of bovine animals are seized by the police at inter-state borders. This scheme is being launched to protect these animals and stray animals. Each Gautham can accommodate a maximum of 200 bovine animals, depending on its capacity.
