Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Six Cattle Die at Chhattisgarh Shelter Amid Overcrowding Claims
Six cows died at a government-supported cattle shelter in Chhattisgarh.
The deaths happened over two days in late August.
Officials said four cows were very old, while two died for other reasons.
Heavy rain had also caused water to collect at the shelter and damaged the ground.
Local people said the shelter was too crowded and did not have enough facilities.
About 300 cattle were staying there.
The district administration said reports of much greater overcrowding were incorrect.
It ordered the cattle to be moved to a safer place and planned more shelters.
Six cattle died at the panchayat-run Gaudham shelter in Okhar village on August 25 and 26.
An inquiry found that four cattle died of old age, while two died for other reasons.
The shelter housed about 300 cattle, and inspectors observed waterlogging and rain-related ground damage.
Locals alleged inadequate arrangements and overcrowding, but the district administration denied reports of capacity being exceeded by 2.5 times.
Officials ordered the cattle to be moved to a safer location, allowed grazing, and approved nine additional shelters in Bilaspur district.
- Who
- Six cattle at the Gaudham shelter; local residents, veterinary officials, and the Bilaspur district administration were involved.
- What
- Six cattle died, prompting an inquiry into the deaths and conditions at the shelter.
- When
- The deaths were reported on August 25 and 26; the inquiry report was submitted on Thursday before August 28.
- Where
- Gaudham, a panchayat-run cattle shelter in Okhar village, Masturi development block, Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- The inquiry attributed four deaths to old age and two to other reasons; heavy rainfall caused waterlogging, while locals alleged inadequate arrangements and overcrowding.
Local Concerns
Administrative Response
Shelter conditions
Local Concerns
Locals alleged that the Gaudham enclosure had inadequate arrangements and was overcrowded.
Administrative Response
The district administration denied reports that the shelter housed two-and-a-half times more cattle than its capacity, while acknowledging waterlogging and rain-related ground damage.
Number of deaths
Local Concerns
Information received by the administration initially reported that 23 cattle had died at Gaudham.
Administrative Response
The veterinary department’s inquiry found that six cattle had died over two days, based on inspections, autopsies, and an examination of the shelter’s conditions.
Steps needed
Local Concerns
The allegations highlighted concerns about the safety and upkeep of cattle at the existing shelter.
Administrative Response
The administration ordered a move to a safer location, permitted grazing, continued health monitoring, and sanctioned nine additional shelters to ease upkeep problems.
- Deaths recorded
- Six cattle died over two days.
- Inquiry finding
- Four deaths were attributed to old age; two occurred due to other reasons.
- Shelter population
- Around 300 cattle belonging to Okhar gram panchayat were housed at Gaudham.
- Site conditions
- Inspectors observed waterlogging and damage to the ground surface after heavy rainfall.
- Reported discrepancy
- The inquiry followed initial information about 23 deaths, but the veterinary report found six deaths.
- Administrative response
- Officials directed that the cattle be shifted to a safer location and taken out for grazing with the gram panchayat sarpanch’s consent.
- Planned expansion
- Nine additional cow shelters were sanctioned for Bilaspur district under the Surabhi Gaudham scheme.