By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Jul: Former Union Minister and prominent animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence here today. On this occasion, she also advocated for replacement of leather shoes with canvas footwear in school uniforms across Uttarakhand. Gandhi submitted a formal memorandum to the Chief Minister, pressing for the adoption of canvas shoes in all schools, citing their affordability, environmental advantages and health benefits for children. She asserted that canvas shoes are not only less harmful to the environment but also more comfortable and economical for school-going children.
During the meeting, Gandhi strongly emphasised that the leather industry remains among the most polluting sectors and reiterated the importance of safeguarding animal welfare. She also shared with him that the Goa government had already implemented this transition to canvas shoes across all educational institutions, following her request and urged Uttarakhand to adopt a similar approach. Besides this, Gandhi also shared with the CM her plan of expanding her animal welfare centre run by People for Animals in Chharba in Dehradun. She pointed out that the centre presently accommodates hundreds of abandoned horses and mules within a one-acre facility. In view of the growing number of rescued equines, she requested the CM to allot three acres to enable adequate space and care.
In her letter, Gandhi has pointed out the issue of neglect faced by equines that are often abandoned by their owners upon becoming sick or aged, and unable to meet labour demands. She stressed the pressing need to provide a secure refuge for these animals. According to sources, Dhami has assured Gandhi that her proposals would be considered by the state government.
