the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that controlling the spurt in stray dogs was a big challenge in Calangute, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Friday assured the people of Calangute that he will take charge and tackle the menace of strays within a year’s time.
“The number of strays has increased tremendously in Calangute and on the beaches. A lot of cases of tourists being bitten by stary dogs have come to light. We will take steps so that within next one year you will see decline of these canines,” Lobo said.
The waste management minister was speaking after releasing the manifesto of the Calangute Zilla Panchayat candidate Dattaprasad Dabolkar.
Calangute Sarpanch Francisco Rodrigues, Candolim Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes, Arpora-Nagao Sarpanch Deepika Redkar and other panch members were also present on the occasion.
Continuing, Lobo said that government will provide all the facilities and infrastructure to the authorities to sterilize the stray dogs.
“It’s a challenge we will take up and ensure that the stray dog menace is tackled in the village,” he said.
He further said that the panchayats of Calangute, Candolim and Arpora-Nagao have managed to tackle the menace of stray cattle which have been rehabilitated in a gaushala in Mayem.
“We do not want to keep them away from the owners. But we had no other alternative as people have failed to take proper care of the cattle and left them on streets,” he said.
“People are free to keep their cattle in the safe precincts of their home and if need be we can provide financial help to them,” he added.
Lobo also announced he will provide sports facilities to the youth of the villages in the constituency. “Most hotels in Calangute have swimming pools but none for our youth. We have identified a spot to construct a swimming pool where our youth can use the facility,” the waste management minister said.
He also said there were plans to set up e-facilities and libraries for the youth in the villages. According to Lobo, the Calangute ZP candidate has given a good account of himself in the last five years and was expected to take the same work forward in the new term.
Candolim Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes, former Calangute Sarpanch Shawn Martins and ZP candidate Dattaprasad Dabholkar also spoke at the event.
