Siddharthanagar starts managing stray animals

BY LAXMAN PAUDEL,Bhairahawa, Dec. 22: Siddharthanagar Municipality of Rupandehi district has started the management of stray animals in the municipality in collaboration with the National Cow Conservation and Research Centre. 

Municipality Mayor Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan said that the municipality had started managing loose cattle because the animals had caused traffic accidents and affected the beauty of the city. He added that from now on, cows and bulls reared by city dwellers would not be left on the road. 

The law has authorised local governments for the management of stray animals and cattle. The Constitution of Nepal has ensured the right to control stray animals in sub-section 2 of section-11 under paragraph-3 of the Local Government Operation Act. 

However, the local government here has not taken any lead for stray animal management. Due to the lack of management, Siddhartha Highway, Butwal, Tilottama, Bhairahawa, Lumbini, Sainamaina, Dhakdhai and other major cities of Rupandehi are facing stray animal problem.

The residents have said that the local government should come up with a solid plan to protect the loss of human life and property and urban beauty caused by loose cattle, build Kanji House to manage cattle, and raise awareness among the citizens. 

After a long time, Siddharthnagar Municipality has started to manage loose quadrupeds. The municipality has informed that stray four-legged animals have been a problem since the city dwellers of other municipalities and India have left the animals open in the municipality. 

The loose cattle have been causing damage to the paddy fields and plants planted for the beautification of the city. The municipal office informed that the Armed Police will assist in controlling the entry of stray cattle from India and the Nepal Police will assist in controlling the entry from neighboring municipalities. Chief Administrative Officer Nawaraj Paudel informed that they have already started collecting loose animals in coordination with Armed Police and Nepal Police. 

For now, businessman Krishna Prasad Sharma has provided a land for holding stray four-legged animals at one place. The municipality has been holding animals there after picking animals from the road. 

Paudel informed that after holding animals, Investigation Centre will rare the animals after taking them to Gaushala of Bardaghat. The centre will update about the health conditions of the animals to the municipality. 

Deputy Mayor Uma Adhikari informed that the municipality has started the construction of Kanji House in the land of the municipality. She said that the house would be used as a holding center for the management of stray animals. She requested the city dwellers to keep their cows at home all the time "We have already started managing one of the major problems of the municipality which is management of loose cattle and soon we will solve the waste management problem", she said.