PANAJI
A State level mechanism to tackle growing stray dog populations in Goa's cities, towns and villages is taking shape with the State's urban development secretary appointed to head the State level monitoring committee to implement and monitor animal birth control measures.The panel will set up animal birth control (ABC) monitoring committee at local authority levels, develop comprehensive district wise plans for dog population management in urban and rural areas and enlist ABC agencies which can implement comprehensive plans as per animal birth control (Dogs) rules, and are recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
Secretaries of the department of animal husbandry, directorate of panchayats and health are also on the panel as are the directors of AH&VS, Urban Development and the Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji.
A representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India and chief officers of the Margao and Bicholim civic bodies besides the panchayat secretaries of the Calangute and Colva panchayats are also included.
The panel is also entrusted with the task to ensure that local bodies provide requisite infrastructure for fully furnished ABC facilities, campuses with ambulances and equipment. The panel is also responsible to ensure that all expenses for successfully running an animal birth control programme, including manpower costs, are made available to the ABC implementing agencies by the local authorities and are reimbursed in a timely manner.
