author(s)
Kalyan Mandi, S Subash, Narendra Pratap Singh and Subrata Koloi

abstract
Gaushalas play a vital role in safeguarding the cattle wealth of our country. Gaushalas provide shelter and selfless service to many injured, stray, old and abandoned cattle. The effective management of Gaushalas in the present context is a serious challenge. Paucity of funds, inadequate financial aid from governments, inadequate fodder availability, inadequate access to technical services, poor infrastructure facilities and poor management are some of the chronic problems faced by Gaushalas. In Karnataka State a total 80 Gaushalas were registered among which 22 Gaushalas are recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The present study was carried out by surveying 40 Gaushalas spread across the State with an objective of identifying and prioritizing the constraints faced by Gaushalas in Karnataka State. The results of the present study clearly indicated that inferior quality of breeding bulls maintained at Gaushalas, limited access to veterinary/technical services, inadequate land for grazing & fodder cultivation, inadequate funds/capital and lack of training facilities were the major constraints faced by the Gaushala management in the State.