It seems stray dogs are here to stay. This is because even after weeks of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation doggedly saying that the sterilisation project is on track, it is yet to finalise the procedure for catching and sterilising the canines.
With the monsoon approaching, the nearly 2.4 lakh stray dogs of the city are only set to grow in number.
The chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) Dr RM Kharb had, on May 26, taken firsthand information about the progress in the project and expressed his dissatisfaction on the slow pace of work. He suggested steps like the use of laparoscopy and opening of zone-wise dog sterilisation units in the city, among others.
However, after 20 days of his visit, the AMC is still analysing the proposed guidelines. According to deputy municipal commissioner Dilip Gor, there are many options to choose from, and the final decision will be taken in the near future.
“We have to involve many parties to carry out sterilisation. We can either go with the current infrastructure or we can hire new staff and technology,” said Gor, who heads the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD).
According to him, the proposed plan includes the use of laparoscopy machines, which costs more than Rs20 lakh each. In addition to that, the AMC has to identify land to build six sterilisation units in each zone. “If we put one machine in each zone, then we have to churn out Rs1.2 crore. It requires permission of standing committee and other top officials,” said Gor.
He also admitted that land acquisition for such units is a time consuming process and requires support of the estate department. Further, the AMC will have to hire and train 12 vets and 24 para-vets for these units. Till now, the CNCD has finalised only one location in Gomtipur to build such a unit.
However, Gor has assured speedy action in the coming days. “Within two weeks’ time, I will discuss the issue with the commissioner and put a final proposal before the standing committee for approval,” he said, not ruling out the possibility of going on with the current infrastructure, instead of accepting the proposed plan.
With the monsoon approaching, the nearly 2.4 lakh stray dogs of the city are only set to grow in number.
The chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) Dr RM Kharb had, on May 26, taken firsthand information about the progress in the project and expressed his dissatisfaction on the slow pace of work. He suggested steps like the use of laparoscopy and opening of zone-wise dog sterilisation units in the city, among others.
However, after 20 days of his visit, the AMC is still analysing the proposed guidelines. According to deputy municipal commissioner Dilip Gor, there are many options to choose from, and the final decision will be taken in the near future.
“We have to involve many parties to carry out sterilisation. We can either go with the current infrastructure or we can hire new staff and technology,” said Gor, who heads the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD).
He also admitted that land acquisition for such units is a time consuming process and requires support of the estate department. Further, the AMC will have to hire and train 12 vets and 24 para-vets for these units. Till now, the CNCD has finalised only one location in Gomtipur to build such a unit.
However, Gor has assured speedy action in the coming days. “Within two weeks’ time, I will discuss the issue with the commissioner and put a final proposal before the standing committee for approval,” he said, not ruling out the possibility of going on with the current infrastructure, instead of accepting the proposed plan.
