Pune gets animal shelter constructed

Environment and animal lovers in the city have something to smile about. As a unique initiative, the city is getting an animal shelter, enclosures of which are being constructed with plastic and glass bottles.
Animal lovers have been working at the NGO People For Animals’ shelter at Handewadi near Kondhwa and 10,000 bottles have already been used with another 40,000 to be added for the other enclosures.The idea, say volunteers, is to minimise the use of conventional construction material and use waste that will otherwise add to pollution. Concrete has been used to cement the bottles in place while gravel has been filled in the plastic bottles as they are lighter in weight.
“Once we realised the need for alternate architecture, we contacted Kumar Prashant and Nivedita Joshi Chopra, both of whom started the ‘Rebirth’ initiative to help animals. There will be enclosures and sheds for cattle, dogs, cats and an operation theatre and OPD,” said animal welfare officer Manoj Oswal, unit head of PFA. To add to this, there are cycle rims to demarcate areas, plastic bottles as bird feeders and nests, used tyres for beds and play areas and plants in bottles. On Environment Day (June 5), the aesthetics will be ready and the place will be open for volunteers. “It’s our way of helping animals and the environment. There are aam petis which are being painted and re-used, plants in plastic bottles, etc. A lot of research has gone into this,” say Prashant and Nivedita. Even as work continues, there have already been rescues for which space has been created – including 13 emus, injured dogs and cattle.