KMDA move to ban feeding of animals at Lake upsets dog lovers
Times of India | 4 October 2024
Kolkata: A decision by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) to ban feeding of stray dogs at Rabindra Sarobar following complaints by some morning walkers has left dog lovers, including those who visit the Lake daily, incensed.
While the KMDA’s decision is to issue a notification that prohibits feeding of all animals, locals said it was essentially to do with the feeding of stray dogs.
Similar attempts earlier had met with resistance from a section of dog lovers.
KMDA had earlier prohibited entry of pets inside Rabindra Sarobar, a move that had also attracted a fair bit of criticism.
“We have been receiving complaints from a section of morning walkers that the Lake is getting dirty due to some visitors feeding stray dogs near the water body. The food that is given spills into the water body and pollutes it. Hence, we are planning to prohibit all kinds of animal feeding in the Lake premise,” said a KMDA official, adding that fish feeding had already been prohibited earlier.
Seekriti Ghosh, a resident of Picnic Garden said, “Banning feeding of animals at the Lake is unjustified. The Lake is a sprawling area and there should be designated feeding zones for animal lovers.”
Jaideep Dasgupta, a resident of Ritchie Road said, “I request for a review of the decision to stop feeding animals at the Lake. There is no harm in feeding strays in the Lake area and the animal lovers should rather be asked to ensure they clean up the area after feeding.”
“Those who are against feeding of animals shouldn’t consider themselves as nature lovers,” said Anita Basak, who regularly feeds stray dogs. Paromita Dutta, another morning walker, said, “Whatever happens, feeding of strays cannot be banned.”