Leh, July 08: In a significant stride towards enhancing animal welfare in Ladakh, a Stray Animal Care and Shelter Centre has been inaugurated in Ladakh, by former Union Minister & Chairperson of People for Animals, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi.
The opening ceremony of the animal care facility by Chamba Animal Welfare Society, largest in the land of high passes, took place at Shesrap Skayadtsal Ling, Thiksey on Sunday, and was also attended by His Eminence Drukpa Thiksey Rinpoche as the guest of honour.
The centre has been constructed by the society to provide shelter to stray animals along with their rescue and it has come up at about 100 kanals of land donated by His Eminence Thiksey Rinpoche.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included His Eminence Thiksey Khanpo Rinpoche (Padma Shri Awardee), Executive Councillor (Agriculture) Stanzin Chosphel, Former Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Councillor Thiksey Constituency, Stanzin Chosfail; President of the Gonpa Association, venerable nuns and monks from different monasteries, representatives from religious organizations, sarpanch, nambardar, members of the Chamba Welfare Society, and a large number of villagers.
Addressing the gathering, H.E. Drukpa Thiksey Rinpoche commended the committee for establishing the much-needed animal rescue center and emphasized the importance of compassion towards stray animals. H.E. Thiksey Khanpo Rinpoche congratulated all members on this noble initiative and highlighted the center’s mission.
President, Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Phuntsog Wangail, delivered the welcome address, sharing insights into the society’s motivation behind establishing the animal rescue center.
The event also featured a variety of cultural performances.
Earlier on Sunday evening, Gandhi, called on the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at Raj Niwas.
First Lady Neelam Mishra; Advisor to LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; ADGP Ladakh, Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IPS; Commissioner Secretary to LG, L Franklin, IAS and Director, Animal Husbandry, Ladakh, Dr Muhammad Iqbal, were present in the meeting.
Gandhi informed the LG about the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Leh regarding putting a stop on the throwing of leftover food on the road and other reachable places by feral dogs and requested the LG’s intervention into the matter.
She discussed the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in Ladakh and emphasised the need to allow the people to feed dogs in designated areas and ensured that both male and female dogs are sterilised to control the dog population. She suggested that sterilised dogs be tagged and returned to their original locations.
Gandhi suggested that the UT Administration should sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Leh to implement the ABC programme, noting that the organisation has trained personnel in Delhi for the ABC programme. She assured the LG that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be provided regarding the dog sterilisation programme in Ladakh.
Gandhi raised concerns about two-humped camels in Nubra used for tourism activities and suggested that they be used for camel dairies. She requested to provide proper shelter for the camels and proposed that their milk be utilised for dairy purposes.
The LG informed Gandhi about the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh’s order to maintain hygiene in municipal areas and the Deputy Commissioner’s order banning the feeding of dogs.
He requested Gandhi to initiate a flagship project for the ABC Programme in Ladakh. He directed Director Animal Husbandry to take the necessary initiatives for the ABC Programme in collaboration with the organisation headed by Maneka Gandhi and to formulate a plan to promote camel dairies and to ensure shelter for camels in Nubra valley.
