UP Govt Orders ABC Facilities In 58 More Districts; Plan To Standardise Stray Dog Management

The UP government is set to establish Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in all districts of the state to control the population of stray dogs. Currently, such centres exist only in the 17 districts with municipal corporations. Now, ABC centres will also be set up at the remaining 58 district headquarters. 

Along with the municipal corporation, other urban local bodies in the respective districts will also be able to use these centres to ensure animal birth control in their areas. The Directorate of Local Bodies has been instructed to formulate a plan with the Animal Husbandry Department regarding the infrastructure, budget, and other requirements for ABC centres in the districts. 

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Agencies with training and experience recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India will also be empanelled to run the animal birth control programme in the districts. It has also been suggested to include veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry Department to monitor the animal birth control programme. 

At the local body level, the ABC system is currently arranged according to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which does not include provisions for keeping stray dogs for life. Animal welfare organisations are making these arrangements at their own expense. 

Instructions have been given to coordinate with urban local bodies for lifelong shelter centres and to estimate the annual costs as per requirements, including expenses for human resources, animal food, treatment vehicles, and other related items. 

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Relevant employees and officials will have to be sent to the Lucknow Municipal Corporation's animal birth control training centre. The agency selected by the local bodies will also be sent for training. Applications for this have been made available on the Lucknow Municipal Corporation website. 

According to the Director of Urban Local Bodies, Anuj Jha, the Amicus Curiae in the Supreme Court has spoken of opening ABC centres at the headquarters of other districts, similar to the municipal corporations. Arrangements are being made at the district headquarters accordingly.