The Madhya Pradesh Government has launched an ambitious initiative to bring leading multinational and national corporations on board to manage cow shelters (Gaushalas) across the State, in what it calls a blend of tradition, technology and sustainable development.
Under the ‘Swavalambi Gaushala Yojana’ (Self-Reliant Cow Shelter Scheme), the Government aims to make cow shelters self-sustaining through corporate partnerships, while addressing the twin challenges of stray cattle management and rural livelihood generation.
Top corporate houses, including the Narmada Group and the Adani Group, have reportedly shown interest in joining the initiative.
The model integrates corporate social responsibility (CSR) with animal welfare and rural entrepreneurship, marking a shift from subsidy-based management to a self-financing system.
The move comes as stray cattle continues to pose a significant problem across Madhya Pradesh, causing frequent road accidents and disrupting traffic in both rural and urban areas.
Officials say the Government intends to develop a long-term, structured framework that not only ensures humane care for abandoned cattle but also turns shelters into centres of economic activity.
In the first phase, corporate entities will adopt and operate cow shelters in 14
districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Sagar, Rewa and Chhindwara.
These modern Gaushalas will be equipped with facilities for organic manure, biogas, and compressed natural gas (CNG) production from cow dung — a move expected to generate both energy and employment. Each plant is designed to process up to 5,000 kilograms of dung per day, with the by-products sold commercially to ensure financial viability.
While talking to The Pioneer, Animal Husbandry Minister Lakhan Singh said the scheme seeks to ensure that cow shelters are financially independent and sustainable. “The model combines social responsibility with sustainable economics. It will protect cattle, create rural employment, and generate valuable organic resources,” he said.
The Government has already allocated 511 acres of land across the 14 districts, of which 461 acres will be used for constructing new, modern shelters with fodder management systems, housing units, and waste-to-energy plants. Around 125 Government-run cow shelters will also be upgraded.
The State will bear nearly 30 per cent of the cost, while the remaining investment will come from corporate partners and community participation.
Officials said the initiative aims to tackle multiple issues simultaneously — from road safety and urban cleanliness to rural employment and environmental sustainability. Once fully operational, the model could serve as a template for other States seeking long-term solutions for stray cattle management.
Beyond its economic and ecological dimensions, the project carries symbolic weight. It seeks to merge India’s deep cultural reverence for the cow with modern systems of corporate governance and technology-driven efficiency. In doing so, the Madhya Pradesh Government hopes to redefine the way traditional institutions like gaushalas operate — turning them from charitable shelters into self-reliant enterprises that reflect both compassion and innovation.
