Leh: In a major step towards strengthening animal welfare and stray dog management in the Union Territory of Ladakh, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Municipal Committee, Leh (MCL), Thiksey Monastery, and the Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Leh for the construction, establishment, operation, and management of a Dog Pound facility at Thiksey, Leh.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sh. Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Housing & Urban Development / Tourism & Culture Department, UT Ladakh.
The Municipal Committee Leh will coordinate with the Housing and Urban Development Department for funding under the Grant-in-Aid for Creation of Capital Assets and oversee the construction of the Dog Pound. Thiksey Monastery, in coordination with the Chamba Animal Welfare Society, will allocate suitable land on a 40-year lease for the facility, ensuring community cooperation and local support.
The Chamba Animal Welfare Society will be responsible for the operation and management of the Dog Pound, including feeding, shelter, medical care, vaccination, sterilization, and adoption of stray dogs as per the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. The Society will also conduct awareness campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership and humane animal welfare.
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, appreciated the joint efforts of all three partners and stated that this partnership reflects Ladakh’s commitment to a cleaner, compassionate, and sustainable urban environment. He directed the Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Leh, and the Chamba Animal Welfare Society to prepare a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) within the next 15 days for a facility capable of accommodating 2,000 dogs, and to finalize the lease deed agreement for the project site.
