Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 2 Aug: The historic Mall Road, considered the hallmark of Mussoorie, is currently grappling with the growing presence of stray animals. Roaming the road from early morning until late at night, these animals pose a threat to tourists and locals alike, while also undermining the town’s beauty and cleanliness. Many people report being forced to walk in fear due to incidents of sudden animal attacks. Local residents allege that while the Mussoorie Municipal Council is continuously working to make the Mall Road beautiful, clean, and organised, the stray animals are undoing these efforts. This situation is also adversely affecting the positive image Mussoorie holds among tourists.
Thousands of tourists and locals stroll along the Mall Road daily, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Consequently, the presence of stray animals creates a constant risk of incidents. Locals state that the animals often charge at pedestrians, causing the most distress to women, children, and the elderly. Furthermore, the filth left on the road and seating areas causes significant inconvenience to tourists.
Former Municipal Council President OP Uniyal stated that he has repeatedly raised this issue with the municipal administration, the SDM of Mussoorie, and the current Municipal Council President, Meera Saklani. He noted that, while the administration takes action periodically, the situation reverts to its previous state after a few days. He alleges that certain anti-social elements deliberately release stray animals back onto the Mall Road, disrupting the entire system. He has demanded that such individuals be identified and face strict legal action. OP Uniyal also suggested that the resting areas created for tourists on Mall Road be developed in such a way that stray animals cannot enter them. This would allow people to sit and enjoy Mussoorie’s natural beauty in a clean and safe environment.
Virendra Bisht, Sanitary Inspector of the Mussoorie Municipal Council, stated that the municipality regularly conducts drives to remove stray animals from the Mall Road. However, some individuals repeatedly release these animals back onto the road, causing the problem to recur. He mentioned that such individuals are being identified, and action will be taken against them in accordance with the rules. Additionally, the municipality will soon launch a special drive to remove stray animals from Mall Road once again, ensuring a safe and clean environment for both tourists and locals.
Local residents argue that merely removing the animals from time to time is insufficient; a permanent solution must be implemented to prevent stray animals from returning to Mall Road. People believe that if this issue is not resolved quickly, it could negatively impact Mussoorie’s image as a tourist destination.
