NT Reporter
Panaji
The newly-formed Goa Animal Federation (GAF) has suggested a Rs 100-crore plan for controlling stray dogs in the state, and found fault with animal husbandry department’s proposed Rs 10,000-crore solution which the organisation claims is both ineffective and financially unsustainable.
Objecting to the government’s shelter-centric approach, federation members argued that the government has failed to create adequate sterilisation infrastructure, noting that current capacity stands at just 15,000 procedures annually while 50,000 are needed.
They emphasised that NGOs, which operate on donations, cannot shoulder this responsibility alone.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, GAF secretary Vijendra Gerula presented evidence of systemic failures of the government in implementing the Animal Birth Control programme.
“The state monitoring committee formed three and a half years ago has failed to create even basic infrastructure for sterilisation. Government data itself shows conflicting numbers, with stray dog population estimates fluctuating from 9 per cent to 4.5 per cent within six months,” Gerula maintained.
The federation highlighted that despite state monitoring committee resolutions dating back to January 2022, little progress has been made.
“RTI responses have revealed that the mandated local monitoring committees at panchayat level haven’t been formed, and promised 24/7 veterinary care facilities remain non-existent,” Gerula added.
GAF vice-president Prakash Kamat spoke on financial implications of the government’s approach.
“With a projected budget deficit of Rs 3,000 crore, why spend Rs 10,000 crore over ten years when a more effective Rs 100 crore solution is available?,” he asked.
Sejal Vora, a GAF member who presented the detailed solution, explained, “If we have to sterilise 1.5 lakh dogs, we need to do it within two to three years. We must work faster than the multiplication rate. With two properly equipped centres, we can perform 164 surgeries daily, which is entirely feasible.”
The proposed plan includes establishing two major centres capable of accommodating 300-400 dogs at each facility, staffed by four veterinarians, 10 para-veterinarians, 30 dog catchers, and support staff at each centre.
“What we require is infrastructure support. We need two acres of land and basic infrastructure with kennels and operation facilities. The government has many veterinarians, and NGOs will bring expertise in catching and handling dogs,” Vora added.
The federation has offered to assist in implementation, training, and management, highlighting that similar approaches have reduced dog populations by up to 80 per cent in other regions like Mumbai and Jaipur within six years while significantly decreasing complaint rates and increasing community engagement.
