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New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kerala to roll out mobile ABC unit to tackle infrastructure gaps, public resistance
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to address the challenges in managing the stray dog population, the state government is all set to roll out a mobile ABC Unit. The move comes in the wake of mounting infrastructure challenges and growing public resistance that have left several ABC centres non-operational in the state. Minister for Animal Husbandry J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has approved the project and the first mobile ABC unit will begin operations immediately. She said that the project would be piloted in Thiruvananthapuram district. 'One of the main challenges we are facing now is lack of ABC centres and the Centre has made the ABC rules more strict making it difficult for implementing such projects. We met the AWBI members and the mobile ABC unit is more cost-effective compared to static ABC centres. The officials were impressed and approved the design,' said J Chinchu Rani. It is learned that four districts in the state lack ABC centres and the Animal Husbandry Department is planning to expand the mobile unit across the state. For setting up an ABC centre as per ABC Rules, the cost will go up to Rs 2 crore. The mobile ABC Unit is being implemented using CSR funds and costs around Rs 25 lakh. 'The Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has agreed to fund the project and the mobile unit can be mounted on a truck and stationed in any open space. The area will be cordoned off temporarily and army tends will be used to keep the dogs after sterilization. As per rules, the dog should be given care for the next five days before releasing it at the spot from where it was caught,' said an official of the animal husbandry department. The mobile units will move around in the district and will station at a location for a maximum of 15 days before moving to a new area. 'This innovative approach is designed to overcome both logistical challenges and public concerns.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Amid deaths, zero sterilisation in four districts cause for concern
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent rabies deaths in Kerala have sparked concerns across the state. However, even more troubling is the poor progress in sterilising stray dogs and rabies vaccination coverage in many districts. Data from the animal husbandry department for the 2024-25 fiscal, the latest, reveals that four districts – Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki and Wayanad – recorded zero sterilisations of stray dogs. Kerala reported around 3.17 lakh dog-bite cases in 2024. Despite the worryingly high number of cases, local bodies across the state are struggling with gaps in infrastructure, stiff resistance from the public against Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres and strict rules and regulations in the ABC Rules to manage the growing stray dog population in the state. As per the data, 15,767 dogs were sterilised and 88,744 dogs vaccinated last year. Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that sterilisation was the only practical solution to address the crisis. 'The stiff mandates in ABC Rules are a huge handicap for us. We met the Animal Welfare Board of India and the authorities concerned at the Centre for relaxations. They have agreed to authorise our centres,' she said. Sources said Kerala has around 15 ABC centres, while work on another 15 is nearing completion. Moreover, land to set up five more centres has been identified. 'We are facing stiff resistance from the public. It's a real issue. We are bound to comply with the ABC Rules and, as per rules, after vaccination and sterilisation, we have to release the dogs from where they are caught,' said LSGD Minister M B Rajesh. He said some districts are faring better than other, but there are districts where lack of infrastructure is a real issue. Meanwhile, in the wake of the rabies deaths this year, the animal husbandry department is planning to come up with an advisory to intensify dog vaccinations in the state. 'The vaccination drive will be intensified immediately. We will be issuing strict directives to scale up vaccination of stray dogs. There is lack of consistency in the efforts because of other responsibilities,' Chinchu Rani said.
