Bengaluru, 30 June

Karnataka Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to achieve 100 per cent Animal Birth Control (ABC) coverage across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) within the next three years, by doubling the city's annual sterilisation capacity from 45,000 to 90,000 stray dogs.

To achieve this, the Minister directed officials to expand infrastructure, engage more implementing agencies, appoint additional veterinarians and encourage participation from organisations across Karnataka and the country.

Byre Gowda also became visibly upset with the 19 officials of the Animal Husbandry Department at the meeting for coming without adequate data, especially about the unchanged stray population despite a 20-year sterilisation drive.

"Are you joking around there? What is the expenditure for five years?" he asked, adding that their responses amounted to "vague and illogical explanations."

Citizen-led green Bengaluru mission

The Minister further announced an urban greening programme under which 64,130 saplings will be planted across Bengaluru during the current financial year, with active participation from municipal corporations, citizens and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) for long-term maintenance and survival of the saplings.

Citizens urged to use 'Sahaya' app

Citizens have been encouraged to report tree-related safety concerns through the 'Sahaya' application for time-bound disposal and status tracking of complaints.

Footpath encroachments

The Minister added that the ongoing footpath clearance drive is aimed at improving pedestrian safety and is not intended to displace street vendors. He urged shop owners to voluntarily remove illegal encroachments from footpaths.