Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, July 7: Former Union Minister and renowned animal rights activist, Maneka Gandhi here today called on Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) B.D Mishra (Retd).
First Lady Neelam Mishra; Advisor to LG, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; ADGP Ladakh, Dr S.D Singh Jamwal; Commissioner/ Secretary to LG, L Franklin and Director, Animal Husbandry, Ladakh, Dr Muhammad Iqbal were also present in the meeting.
Maneka Gandhi informed the LG about the order issued by Deputy Commissioner Leh regarding putting a stop on the throwing of leftover food on the road and other reachable places by feral dogs and requested the LG for intervention into the matter.
She discussed Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in Ladakh and emphasised on the need to allow the people to feed dogs in designated areas and ensure that both male and female dogs are sterilised to control dog population.
She suggested that sterilised dogs can be tagged and returned to their original locations.
Maneka Gandhi suggested that the UT Administration should sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Leh to implement the ABC programme, noting that the organisation has trained personnel in Delhi for the ABC programme.
She assured the LG that a Detailed Project Report would be provided regarding dog sterilisation programme in Ladakh.
Gandhi raised concerns about two-humped camels in Nubra used for tourism activities and suggested that they should be used for camel dairies and requested to provide proper shelter for camels and proposed that their milk should be utilised for dairy purposes.
The LG informed Maneka Gandhi about the High Court of J&K and Ladakh’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 and directed Director Animal Husbandry 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 and to ensure shelter for camels in Nubra valley.
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