KMDA marks 4 spots to feed strays at Lake

Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), custodian of Rabindra Sarobar, has designated four feeding zones for street dogs on the premises. The move came after a section of Lake regulars proposed to the authorities to set up such spots. Last year, the authorities had banned feeding of animals on the Lake premises, and restricted entry of pets.The feeding zones are located at a corner beside gates 1, 11, 12, and close to gate 8. "The spots have been designated after observing where the street dogs mostly roam about. Caregivers are requested to feed them within the designated zones. No specific time period for feeding has been mentioned," said a KMDA official.Animal lovers welcomed the move. Sourav Bose, a pet enthusiast, said, "I am happy KMDA has designated spots to feed strays at the Lake. This move was necessary. Many people who go for a stroll there in the morning or the evening love feeding strays, and sometimes, others raise objections. Now, no such issue will crop up."Another animal lover, Susmita Roy, who runs a veterinary hospital in Taratala and works for street dogs, said, "If strays are fed at designated spots, none can say anything. People should also maintain cleanliness while feeding strays and follow the instructions of the authorities. Such initiatives should be implemented in other parks across the city, and this can send out a message of human-animal bonding." A few months ago, the state urban development & municipal affairs department came out with an SOP on feeding strays for all municipal areas. The SOP advises caregivers to feed the animals at designated zones within a specific time period in two slots a day.