Last checked against the sources below on 20-10-2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Stray cattle on Gujarat’s city roads have led to injuries, deaths and several years of court cases. If you’ve heard about a “stray cattle policy” or a “cattle control law” and aren’t sure what’s actually in force, this guide sets out the timeline. For more on cattle, visit our cow hub.
2022: the urban cattle control bill, passed and withdrawn
- The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Cattle Control (Keeping and Moving) in Urban Areas Bill in April 2022. [S1]
- It would have required cattle owners in cities and towns to get a licence and tag their animals, banned cattle from roaming roads and public places, and set heavy penalties. [S1]
- After protests by cattle-rearers, including the Maldhari community, the Governor returned the bill to the government on 17 September 2022. [S1]
- The Assembly unanimously withdrew it on 21 September 2022. [S1]
So the 2022 bill never became law.
2023: the High Court orders a state-wide policy
- On 11 July 2023, the Gujarat High Court, hearing an application in a public interest case on cattle menace, directed the state to frame a policy or issue administrative instructions on the steps to control cattle menace across the whole state. [S2] [S3]
- The court noted that, despite directions concerning 156 nagarpalikas and 8 corporations, even after more than four years neither the state nor the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had adopted a concrete policy. [S2] [S3]
- The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had told the court it had drafted a policy, but its Standing Committee sent it back in April 2023. [S2] [S3]
The Stray Cattle Policy 2023
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation lists, among its Cattle Nuisance Control Department’s services, reducing the nuisance of stray cattle as per the Government of Gujarat’s Stray Cattle Policy-2023, dated 21/08/2023. [S4]
We couldn’t find the full text of this policy published online, so we can’t tell you its exact rules, licence requirements or penalties. If you keep cattle in a Gujarat city, ask your municipal corporation’s cattle department for the current rules in writing.
What residents can do
- Report stray cattle on roads to your municipal corporation’s cattle or complaint department. In Ahmedabad, see our guide to stray cattle and who to call at AMC.
- Don’t leave food waste or fodder on roadsides; it draws cattle into traffic.
- If an animal is injured, report it and keep a safe distance until help arrives.
The Pawsitive Hoomans Take
The 2022 bill was withdrawn, so ignore old messages describing its penalties as current law. The 2023 policy is the one cities say they follow, but its text isn’t easy to find; owners should get the rules from their corporation directly.
🐄 If you keep cattle, a free Pet Passport keeps each animal’s ear tag and records together, and our Vaccination Tracker builds a cattle schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gujarat’s 2022 cattle control law in force?
No. The bill was withdrawn by the Assembly on 21 September 2022. [S1]
What is Gujarat’s Stray Cattle Policy 2023?
A Government of Gujarat policy dated 21 August 2023, which the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation says its cattle department follows. [S4] We couldn’t find its full text online.
What did the Gujarat High Court order on stray cattle?
On 11 July 2023 it directed the state to frame a state-wide policy or administrative instructions to control cattle menace. [S2] [S3]
Who do I call about stray cattle in Ahmedabad?
AMC’s Cattle Nuisance Control Department. [S4] See our Ahmedabad guide for numbers.
Sources and last checked
- [S1] The Quint, Gujarat Withdraws Bill Prohibiting Movement of Stray Cattle in Urban Areas (21-09-2022) – thequint.com – Last checked: 20-10-2026
- [S2] India Environment Portal, Order of the High Court of Gujarat on cattle menace, 11/07/2023 – indiaenvironmentportal.org.in – Last checked: 20-10-2026
- [S3] LiveLaw, Gujarat High Court on cattle menace policy failure (Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri v. Jagadip Narayan Singh, 12-07-2023) – livelaw.in – Last checked: 20-10-2026
- [S4] Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Cattle Nuisance Control Department – ahmedabadcity.gov.in – Last checked: 20-10-2026
Disclaimer: PawsitiveHoomans is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with the Government of Gujarat or any municipal body. This is not legal advice.