Mark feeding zones for strays at Sarobar, allot timings, morning walkers urge KMDA
Times of India | 16 June 2024
Kolkata: The Kolkata metropolitan development authority (KMDA) will consider a proposal placed by ‘Save Rabindra Sarobar Forum’— a group of morning walkers at the Lake— on Saturday to designate zones and timings for feeding stray dogs in Rabindra Sarobar.
The proposal comes in the wake of a number of arguments occurring among dog lovers and Lake visitors over feeding strays at Rabindra Sarovar.
Last month, KMDA prohibited the entry of pets to the Lake premises following complaints from a section of morning walkers .
The forum proposed that the authorities should see if some spots could be specified and marked as designated feeding zones for strays, as the areas beside the waterbody often became dirty with leftovers, they said.
“ We want KMDA, the custodian of the Lake, to frame guidelines for stray dogs’ feeding, vaccination and sterilization at Rabindra Sarobar,” said environmentalist and Lake regular Somendra Mohan Ghosh, who placed the proposal to the KMDA.
“The proposal will be considered for discussion. We may also talk with those who feed strays ,” said a KMDA official on Saturday.
A section of morning walkers had complained that the pets were not only making the place dirty due to open defecation but they were also being afraid of getting bitten. “The authorities have been trying to come up with an amicable solution for all,” said an official. “We (a section of Lake regulars) had requested if the authorities could give us a small place to be earmarked as a pet park, where our pets could move around. This would be convenient for all,” said Bapi Lodh, a pet lover and resident.