Bengaluru civic body steps up to build bonhomie between community and animals Premium

In response to all these issues, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict. Among them is a campaign to promote animal rights awareness in schools and campaigns for the wider public. As part of this effort, BBMP has also finetuned its animal grievance helpline and is setting up animal rescue centres across the city. These centres are the first of their kind in Karnataka. 

Bengaluru in the year 2024 saw multiple incidents of stray dog attacks, raising public safety concerns. A disturbing case was reported earlier this month from Chamrajpet, where miscreants inflicted brutal injuries on three cows, slashing their udders and stabbing their legs, further highlighting the issue of how human-animal conflicts of a completely different variety emerge in the city space often.

In response to all these issues, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict. Among them is a campaign to promote animal rights awareness in schools and campaigns for the wider public. As part of this effort, BBMP has also finetuned its animal grievance helpline and is setting up animal rescue centres across the city. These centres are the first of their kind in Karnataka. 

The BBMP is set to recruit eight agencies, one for each zone, to promote awareness about animal welfare and rights, in educational institutions across Bengaluru. Speaking to The Hindu, Suralkar Vikas Kishor, BBMP’s Special Commissioner for its Animal Husbandry Department, said the initiative aims to nurture a more compassionate society for animals. 

“Right now, the campaigns are happening in a haphazard and unplanned way, and mostly in public spaces, but not in schools. We have decided to call for agencies who will specifically focus on schools in all eight zones within the city. Each agency will handle schools in one or two zones. These agencies will be given a target on how many schools must be covered by them in a time span. The content of activities that will be presented at the schools will be moderated by the BBMP, which will be presented at a regular frequency,” Kishor added.

The commissioner said that there are close to 500 schools in each zone and the BBMP is planning to present at least one session in a quarter in each school.  

Once the agencies are appointed, the zonal assistant directors of the Animal Husbandry Department will collaborate with schools and colleges in their respective zones to conduct sessions. The agencies will be provided with audience authorisation forms by the BBMP, ensuring that each educational institution allocates 15 to 20 minutes per class for these sessions. The sessions will educate students about animal behaviour, fostering respect for animals and teaching them how to interact with them safely.

“The focus will be on dispelling irrational fears about animals while emphasising the importance of maintaining a safe distance. Students will also learn that animals may react aggressively if their space is invaded or their young are threatened,” Kishor explained.