Following directions from the Supreme Court, the Tripura government has stepped up efforts to control the stray dog and cattle population across the state, with a strong focus on public safety and prevention of diseases.
Senior officials said sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs are being carried out as per the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. Municipal bodies, in coordination with the Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department, have begun setting up Animal Birth Control centres and shelters to manage the issue in a systematic manner.
Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, ARD Secretary Deepa D. Nair said the state is expanding infrastructure for long-term population control. The Agartala Municipal Corporation has already set up an ABC centre at Hapania, while an animal shelter is operational at R.K. Nagar. Similar facilities are in the pipeline in other municipal areas with support from animal welfare groups.
To strengthen monitoring, nodal officers have been deployed at sensitive public places such as schools, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations. Officials said this would ensure quicker response to stray animal movement in crowded areas.
The government has also introduced round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response mechanisms along national highways to prevent accidents involving stray animals. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the Public Works Department, the Transport Department, municipal bodies and district administrations. Stray animals found on highways are being relocated to shelters and cowsheds, where they are provided food, water and veterinary care. Helplines have also been made operational for the public to report concerns.
ARD Director Dr Neeraj Kumar Chanchal said hospitals across the state have adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin. Awareness programmes are also being conducted in schools to educate students about stray animal behaviour, diseases, preventive measures and basic first aid.
At present, three cow shelters are functioning at Devipur, Mohanpur and Dharmanagar. The government plans to set up five more shelters in other districts with the help of NGOs. Officials added that around 2,000 cows have been rescued so far as part of ongoing drives against cattle smuggling.
Additional Director Bimal Krishna Das and other senior officials were also present at the press briefing.