Bhubaneswar: There has always been a close relationship between humans and animals. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure their health and safety. The state government is always showing a compassionate attitude to the welfare of stray and abandoned animals.
Animal Birth Control programme is being implemented in 12 urban areas of the state. Through this initiative, a network of animal birth control centres has been established across the state with trained veterinarians and modern medical facilities. Stray dogs are captured and released back to their habitats after birth control operations and vaccination. It helps in peaceful and harmonious animal-human co-existence and control of diseases like rabies along with maintaining public health, said Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.
Inaugurating the workshop on ‘Animal Birth Control Rules and Animal Welfare’ organised today at Bhubaneswar by Fisheries and ARD Department in collaboration with State Animal Welfare Board, Odisha Swain emphasized on proper implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules in the State.
Minister Swain has also said that besides Animal Birth Control Program, many other steps have been taken to strengthen animal welfare in Odisha.
A state-wide Animal Helpline with toll-free number 1962 has been established to provide emergency health care to stray and destitute animals. Animal Ambulances in 11 urban areas of the state and Mobile Veterinary Units in other areas are providing this service.
The state government is providing assistance to Goshalas for welfare of abandoned cattle. As many as 52 registered Goshalas of the state are being given assistance for care and maintenance of cattle @ Rs 16 thousand per adult cattle unit annually.
Assistance ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 52 lakh is being provided to establish new Goshalas for sheltering 50 to 150 cattle.
So far 26 Go-Ahead letters have been issued in this regard. Animal Birth Control program and extensive animal welfare activities in Odisha are proof of our commitment to a more compassionate and inclusive society. Activities to protect the rights of animals and their welfare can produce a harmonious partnership between humans and the natural world. The Minister called upon everyone to work together for this noble work.
The Principal Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department Suresh Kumar Vashishth said that the state government is providing more support to animal welfare organizations in order to further strengthen the animal welfare activities.
Assistance of Rs 50 lakh for establishment of veterinary hospital/clinic, Rs 15 lakh for establishment of Operation Theatre, Rs 25 lakh for animal transport vehicle and Rs 15 lakh for construction of animal shelters and kennels are being provisioned for the animal welfare organisations.
In all these cases, a maximum assistance of Rs 50 lakh can be given to any animal welfare organization. This shows the compassionate attitude of the state government towards abandoned animals by providing them quality medical facilities.
The workshop was attended by Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Dr Yeddula Vijay, representatives of various animal welfare organizations, individuals working for animal welfare and departmental officers.
Four technical sessions were organized and various aspects of animal welfare along with Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 have been discussed.
Deputy Director, Animal Welfare Dr Kailash Chandra Samantaray delivered the vote of thanks at the end.
