SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Srinagar district administration finally woke up and ordered for setting-up of an Animal Rescue Centre to rescue stray animals like horses, cows etc. This centre was most needed project for residents of Srinagar as there are hundreds of stray animals which can be found mostly sitting in middle of main roads and many times, create traffic jams. To fulfill demand of people, a meeting was held in district office wherein detailed deliberations were held to set-up Animal Rescue Centre at identified place in Athwajan area. The land has also been recently transferred to Animal Husbandry Department.
On the occasion, the DC directed the officers to work in tandem for devising a comprehensive plan. He asked Animal Husbandry Department to prepare a DPR in this regard in consultation with Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile Joint Commissioner SMC also informed that Corporation is already working on curbing stray-dog menace and for rescue/ rehabilitation of animals, can join hands with concerned Department to multiply efforts.
Meanwhile, it was observed on various occasions that failure of SMC to check movement of stray animals on roads poses risk of accidents for commuters.
Residents from various areas of Srinagar said that cows, horses and other stray animals have made it inconvenient for commuters and pedestrians to move freely. “As we talk about unchecked canine population, we should not overlook issue of stray animals. Srinagar city center is congested and these stray animals including cows, horses and sheep end-up on roads, hampering traffic movement and posing threat of accidents,” a resident told STATE TIMES.
Officials at SMC said many times they are taking steps to tackle the problem. “We keep an eye on issue of stray animals. We have taken various measures like fining owners for letting animals roam on roads,” said officials but till date no concrete step was taken by them.