Gathering for collaborative decision-making: MCD summit aims to drive results
New Delhi to Permanently House One Million Stray Dogs Within Eight Weeks
In a significant move, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been tasked with identifying land for new animal shelters, following a Supreme Court order to permanently house all stray dogs in Lutyens' Delhi and wider Delhi. This marks a shift from the previous 'catch, sterilise, release' policy.
According to an NDMC official who requested anonymity, the focus is on capturing and providing shelter for approximately 10,000 stray dogs in the Lutyens' Delhi area, with the ultimate goal of managing Delhi's estimated one million stray dogs within the given eight-week timeline.
The current action plan involves rounding up all stray dogs and permanently housing them in dedicated shelters. The Supreme Court has directed that once captured and housed, the dogs cannot be released back onto the streets. This requires urgent coordination among the NDMC and other authorities to prepare adequate shelter facilities.
However, ground staff, including dog-catching squads in NDMC, are currently facing uncertainty and logistical challenges, as they have yet to receive clear, detailed instructions on implementation. Catchers report difficulties managing the volume and behavior of stray dogs, with some dogs being elusive or aggressive, making the operation complex.
The NDMC meeting reviewed the existing veterinary facilities and estimated the stray dog population in its jurisdiction at about 10,000. The action plan will address "normal" stray dogs later. In the initial phase, the focus will be on capturing rabid, diseased, and aggressive dogs with repeated bite complaints.
To facilitate public reporting of diseased and aggressive stray dogs, a dedicated helpline will soon be launched. The action plan also involves working with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and market associations.
In a joint effort, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal announced a meeting of agencies to create "dog-free areas." The Municipal Corporation of Delhi currently operates around 20 animal birth control centres, which will be upgraded to house more dogs. The drive to house the dogs will begin in the coming days, working with NGOs.
The action plan will be implemented "100% in letter and spirit" as per the Supreme Court order. It is important to note that the estimated stray dog population in the Lutyens' Delhi area is significantly lower than the rest of Delhi. Despite this, the NDMC is committed to ensuring the welfare of all stray dogs within its jurisdiction.
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- Amidst the wake of the Supreme Court's mandate to permanently house all stray dogs, the government is planning to reinforce policy-and-legislation regarding the treatment of strays in India, possibly impacting the general-news landscape in the near future.
- This dedicated drive to accommodate one million stray dogs within eight weeks in India, initiated by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), may have significant implications for Indian politics, particularly with relation to animal rights and welfare, and could potentially influence upcoming elections.
- The heavy focus on specific issues like managing stray dogs, as directed by the Supreme Court, might demand constant updates and monitoring from media outlets covering general-news, with implications for policy-and-legislation in India.
