Growing City

Add to the list of Chandigarh Administration's inability to manage encroachments and garbage heaps, the increasing population of stray an...

Add to the list of Chandigarh Administration’s inability to manage encroachments and garbage heaps, the increasing population of stray animals. Stray cows, pigs and dogs roam freely in the city. In particular, the problem of stray cattle has acquired an alarming dimension. These bovine beauties are found sitting at road crossings or roaming about leisurely on the roads. The far-sighted planners of Chandigarh had prohibited keeping of cattle in small houses. However, they were permitted in big houses with the provision that they are kept under hygienic conditions.

Over time, however, bylaws have not been strictly enforced. Thus, Chandigarh, which was visualised a cattle-nuisance-free city, is gradually becoming like many cities of Punjab or Haryana. This is especially true for the southern sectors, where roads and parks are heavily soiled by stray cattle which is not only unpleasant, but also unhygienic and carrier of various diseases, and slum dwellers are the most prone. Once the cattle are sick, rather than pay for treatment, the farmers or dairy owners prefer to let them loose, without a thought for the consequences.

The same is true for stray dogs. Here it is you and I more than the MC who are to be blamed. We let our dogs out without leashes, free to copulate and increase the population of stray dogs. Many sick pet dogs face the same fate as the abandoned cattle. These destitute animals dig through heaps of garbage for food spreading it all over. Apart from being a health hazard, the stray animals cause minor accidents too. Several road accidents have taken place mainly due to roaming animals. They pose other great dangers to residents too; for instance, stray dogs often without provocation bite innocent pedestrians, including children.

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The Chandigarh Administration, too is hardly bothered about checking this nuisance.

While it is laid down that anyone who catches stray cattle and brings it to the notice of the administration would be rewarded, it is hardly a practical scheme. Further, not many are aware of where and who to contact? Even if a complaint is lodged, do authorities follow-up ? Such a scheme, therefore, does not work in actual practice. Secondly, there are not enough cattle-pounds or gaushalas in the town to give shelter to such a large number of stray cattle. Perhaps, the local municipality could agree to pay award’ per cattle if they are kept in the gaushala, and pay the gaushala management too. However, this also has its loopholes. Recently, a city court ordered the MC to file a reply regarding the management of finances of cattle pounds under its purview.

The politicians and bureaucrats need to keep a strict vigil on the utilisation of these funds for providing shelter and fodder to stray cattle to avoid misuse. There is a need to create awareness among those who keep cattle about the nuisance of allowing them to take to roads and parks even just during the day. Alternately, they should be appropriately punished and even prohibited from keeping cattle. Moreover, the above-mentioned by laws need to be strictly implemented, or the cattle nuisance will continue to grow.

The administration should launch a special drive to educate people about dogs and dog-care. Meanwhile, a programme should whereby the stray dogs are castrated in the city, wandering pets including. Also, as a solution, stray dogs could be picked up by the MC and taken to pet-orphanages’ where they could be offered for adoption, as in the west.

The writer is a freelance writer.