Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Jan: Chief Secretary (CS) Anand Bardhan today directed the departments concerned to prepare and implement a comprehensive action plan to address the problem of stray animals in strict compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. Chairing a meeting at the Secretariat here. today, the CS emphasised that concrete and effective measures must be taken in respect of stray dogs and cattle, particularly in public places and crowded areas, to ensure public safety and adherence to court mandates.
Bardhan instructed all the related departments to appoint sector-wise nodal officers to ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the situation. He laid special emphasis on compliance with Supreme Court directions relating to stray dogs in major urban centres including Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur and Kashipur and said that visible and sustained action must be ensured in these cities.
Reviewing the progress of measures taken to remove stray dogs and cattle from national highways, the CS directed the officials to identify critical and accident-prone locations and take action on a priority basis. To regulate and manage the stray cattle population, he ordered the preparation of Kanji Houses and directed that proper operational systems be put in place to ensure their effective functioning.
Bardhan further directed the Transport Secretary to ensure that, with the support of local bodies, necessary action is taken to address the presence of stray animals and cattle at bus stations, railway stations and in their surrounding areas. He underlined the need for coordinated efforts among departments to prevent recurrence of the problem at such high-footfall locations.
Emphasising public participation, the CS suggested that awareness programmes be conducted to encourage citizens to adopt stray animals. He further proposed that a standard operating procedure outlining clear dos and don’ts for pet owners be drafted to promote responsible ownership and prevent animals from being abandoned on the streets.
