The Sub-Metropolitan City aims to declare Pokhara a ´stray animal free city´ by the first week of July. [break]
For the purpose, the city has allotted a budget of Rs. 300,000.
To meet the objective, the sub-metropolitan city has already started necessary discussions with the Vulture Conservation and Management Committee (VCMC),which operates a vulture restaurant at Ghachowk VDC in the same district, informed executive chief of the sub-metropolitan city, Jhalak Ram Adhikari. He said the sub-metropolitan city and VCMC will have a bilateral agreement by next week.
As some four city dwellers are killed every year in attacks by stray animal and road accidents are on the rise, the sub-metropolitan city will press ahead with its decision, said Adhikari, adding, “We are working to manage stray animals as food for vultures.”
Himalayan Animal Rescue Team (HART)-Nepal, an NGO, is to lend necessary support in carrying the stray animals to the vulture restaurant. HART-Nepal has been working to control the stray dog population.
In the first phase, the sub-metropolis will keep all the stray animals in a temporary pen. “We are going to construct a separate pen for the strays,” said Adhikari.
“We will keep the stray animals in the pen for a week and if anyone comes to claim them, we will release them after charging a fine,” informed Adhikari, adding, “The remaining animals will be transported to the vulture restaurant for feeding the vultures.”
According to Adhikari, the animals will not be fed to the vultures right away. “Only the strays that die will be used as vulture food.”
VCMC has stipulated that the sub-metropolis should provide sufficient financial assistance for caring for the stray animals to be sheltered at the vulture restaurant, said Ravi Lal Pokharel, head of VCMC.
“We have decided to provide financial assistance on the basis of the number of strays. We are mulling to provide between Rs.4,000 to Rs.5,000 per animal for its proper care and management,” said Adhikari.
According to Adhikari, there are more than 40 stray animals in Pokhara city.
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