Allow people to feed stray dogs, Maneka Gandhi urges Ladakh Lieutenant Governor

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Jammu, July 8

Former Union Minister and renowned animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi called on the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier BD Mishra (retd), and discussed various issues.

She informed the L-G about the order issued by the Leh Deputy Commissioner banning the feeding of feral dogs on the road and other reachable places and requested his intervention into the matter.

She discussed the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in Ladakh and emphasised the need to allow the people to feed dogs in designated areas and sterilisation to control the dog population. She suggested that sterilised dogs be tagged and returned to their original locations.

Gandhi suggested that the UT administration should sign a MoU with the Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Leh, to implement the ABC programme, noting that the organisation has trained personnel in Delhi for the programme. She assured the L-G that a detailed project report would be provided regarding the dog sterilisation programme in Ladakh.

Gandhi raised concerns about two-humped camels in Nubra used for tourism activities and suggested that they be used for camel dairies. She requested to provide proper shelter for the camels and proposed that their milk be utilised for dairy purposes.

The L-G informed Gandhi about the High Court’s order to maintain hygiene in municipal areas and the Deputy Commissioner’s order banning the feeding of dogs.

He requested Gandhi to initiate a flagship project for the ABC Programme in Ladakh. He directed the Animal Husbandry Director to take the necessary initiatives for the ABC Programme in collaboration with the organisation headed by Maneka Gandhi and to formulate a plan to promote camel dairies.