Leh, Sept 20: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), held a meeting with concerned officials at Raj Niwas to discuss potential steps to overcome the challenge of stray animals in Leh district.
The HLG highlighted the issue of the increasing number of stray animals, particularly cattle, in Leh town and adjacent areas which causes problems for the public. He discussed possible interventions in addressing the issue of stray animals in Leh district.
During the meeting, the HLG and concerned officials discussed establishing an animal pound in Leh district where stray animals would be impounded and kept in a dedicated enclosure until claimed by their owners. It was decided in the meeting that an animal pound would be established in Leh district at a place far from Leh town which would be outsourced to an NGO working in the relevant field. It was also decided that the defaulting owners of the animals/cattle would be penalised for leaving their animals/cattle unattended while the unclaimed animals/cattle would be kept in the animal pound.
It was also discussed in the meeting that the public would be sensitised about not leaving their cattle/animals unattended or else they would be impounded.
The HLG instructed officials from Urban Local Bodies to prepare a report on establishing an animal pound in Leh district and submit it at the earliest for necessary action.
Principal Secretary, Sanjeev Khirwar; Secretary to HLG, Ravinder Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve; President, Municipal Committee, Leh, Dr Ishey Namgyal; Director, Tourism Department, Smt Kunzes Angmo; Director, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Zahida Bano and Director, Animal Husbandry, Dr Mohammad Iqbal were present in the meeting.
