Livestock rearing is common and an integral component of state agriculture supporting livelihood of more than two-thirds of the rural population. Animals provide nutrient-rich food products, draught power, dung as organic manure and domestic fuel, hides & skin, and are a regular source of cash income for rural households. They are a natural capital, which can be easily reproduced to act as a living bank with offspring as interest, and an insurance against income shocks of crop failure and natural calamities.

Uttar Pradesh is endowed with large livestock populations in all districts across the state. Livestock population Cattle-190.20 lakh, Buffaloes-330.17 lakh Sheep- 9.85 lakh Goats-144.80 lakh, Pigs 4.09 lakh, Poultry 125.25 lakh as per 2019 Census. Livestock is germane to farming systems in Uttar Pradesh; the most preponderant farming system is mixed crop-livestock-farming. Over 85 per cent of all economic species of livestock and desi poultry are owned by the small holder group (marginal and small farmers along with the landless). The marginal farmers constitute the core livestock production sector in the state. The livestock sector is extremely livelihood intensive with over 70 per cent of all rural households owning livestock of some species or other, often a mix of several and livestock provides more than half of the total household income for marginal farmers and the landless who own livestock.

The objectives of the department are to increase milk, egg and meat production, improve breeding coverage, conservation and propagation of indigenous livestock breeds, 100% vaccination coverage, strengthen veterinary health care with promotion of mobile veterinary services at farmer’s doorstep, minimize the gap of availability and requirement, promote poultry sector, to promote livestock security in the farm of livestock insurance, promote small ruminant for additional income generation. Besides the above the department is also instrumental in conservation of destitute Govansh and rehabilitation, health management etc.

These directives laid out the following –

  Definition of destitute cattle
• Activities related to establishment of temporary establishment for destitute cattle
• Identification of land and its transfer for such establishments
• To make the identified land suitable for use
• Arrangement for drinking water, Lighting , security , Veterinary care ,Feed & Fodder ,Housing and environment , Flooring ,treatment
• Arrangement of taking care of the calf/calves, labour , record keeping , documentation
• Formulation of process after the uneventful death of any animal
• Arrangement for making the gaushalas self-sustainable and financially viable
• Arrangement for sale /handover of such livestock to local farmers
• Arrangement of budget for upkeep of such animals housed in gaushalas
• Procedure and action for ensuring that animals are not left out as destitute


These directives are a noble initiative taken by the State Government towards effective management of such gaushalas The State Government has made adequate financial provisions ( Income and expense ) for the establishment , management and operations of such temporary establishments for the first time in the country .No efforts were made by the erstwhile Governments for conservation of such destitute cattle .

The Government is extremely sensitive towards this initiative and is actively monitoring the activities and the progress. Currently, the farmers have received a big relief due to rehabilitation of destitute cattle and this initiative is being further strengthened with active participation from fellow inhabitants of the village. Cattle are integral to the society and it should not be viewed from the political dimensions. Different Departments of the State are working to ensure effective conservation of the destitute cattle.