Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Madhya Pradesh government has devised a permanent solution for the shelter of stray cattle. The state will now establish Kamdhenu Niwas (self-sustaining cow shelters), where a large number of cattle will be cared for. The government has approved the Policy for Establishment of Self-Sustaining Cow Shelters (Kamdhenu Niwas) in Madhya Pradesh, 2025.
According to this policy, self-sustaining cow shelters will be set up across the state, each housing a minimum of 5,000 cattle. Of these, up to 30% may be high-yielding dairy breeds. The government will grant cow shelter operators rights to use up to 125 acres of government land. For shelters housing more than 5,000 cattle, an additional 25 acres of land per 1,000 cattle will be allotted.
The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department will prepare a land bank. The land will remain under the department's ownership, and a usage agreement will be executed between the Madhya Pradesh Cow Protection Board and the operating organization. The land will be allotted on an "as-is" basis, and the operating institution will be responsible for development work.
Registered entities such as firms, trusts, societies, companies, or a consortium of up to five such institutions will be eligible to establish these Kamdhenu Niwas shelters. Consortia comprising more than five entities will not be recognized under this scheme.
In addition to cattle care, these shelters will facilitate commercial activities such as Panchgavya product manufacturing, biogas production, organic fertilizers, breed improvement, dairy processing, solar energy, and other sustainable initiatives.