Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, today conducted an extensive tour of various animal shelters in Jammu to review the status of infrastructure, facilities and progress on ongoing works. The shelters inspected included Bandhu Rakh, Chowadi, Bhagwati Nagar, Roopnagar and Gaushalla (cow shelter) at Panjgrai, Nagrota.
Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Dr. Devansh Yadav, also accompanied the Commissioner Secretary during the tour. The Commissioner Secretary inspected each location and assessed the overall arrangements for animal care and welfare available there.
During the inspection, Mandeep Kaur directed the concerned for construction of a new cow shelter at Bandhu Rakh on vacant land belonging to the Jammu Municipal Corporation. The ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme at Chowadi was also reviewed and directions were issued to further enhance the facilities and streamline the implementation.
At Bhagwati Nagar, where kennels for dogs have already been prepared, instructions were given to commence the Animal Birth Control programme at the earliest. At Roopnagar Animal Care Centre, the Commissioner Secretary reviewed the renovation works currently underway.
She directed that waste generated from construction activities be utilised for flooring purposes wherever feasible. She emphasised ensuring proper ventilation and making adequate arrangements so that animals do not face inconvenience during extreme summer and winter conditions.
Earlier, Mandeep Kaur reviewed the facilities for the animals at the Nagrota Gaushala, which currently houses around 206 cows, bulls and calves, along with approximately 32 horses. The Jammu Municipal Corporation has made comprehensive arrangements for their care and upkeep.
The Commissioner Secretary visited all the five locations to assess animal welfare measures as well as the progress on construction and renovation works. She issued necessary directions to further improve the existing facilities.
Among others, Joint Commissioner Health and Sanitation Abdul Sattar, Director Building Centre Kafeel Firozi, Joint Commissioner Works Firdous Ahmed Qazi, Municipal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jaswant Singh, Animal Welfare Officer Dr. Gaurav Chaudhary, VAS Dr. Priyanka Malhotra, Executive Engineers and other concerned field staff accompanied the Commissioner Secretary during the tour.