Former Union Minister and renowned animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at Raj Niwas on July 7.

The meeting was attended by First Lady Neelam Mishra, Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal, ADGP Ladakh Dr. SD Singh Jamwal, Commissioner/Secretary to LG L Franklin, and Director of Animal Husbandry Ladakh Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.

Maneka Gandhi discussed various animal welfare issues, including a recent order by the Deputy Commissioner Leh to stop the disposal of leftover food in public places accessible to feral dogs. She requested the LG's intervention on this matter.

She also emphasized the importance of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in Ladakh, advocating for designated areas where people can feed dogs and ensuring that both male and female dogs are sterilized to control the population. She proposed tagging sterilized dogs and returning them to their original locations.

Furthermore, she suggested that the UT Administration sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chamba Animal Welfare Society, Leh, to implement the ABC programme, citing the organization's trained personnel in Delhi. She assured the LG that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the dog sterilization programme in Ladakh would be provided.

Maneka Gandhi also raised concerns about the two-humped camels in Nubra used for tourism and suggested their potential for camel dairies. She requested proper shelters for the camels and proposed utilizing their milk for dairy purposes.

The LG informed Maneka Gandhi about the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh’s order to maintain hygiene in municipal areas and the Deputy Commissioner’s order banning the feeding of dogs. He requested her to initiate a flagship project for the ABC Programme in Ladakh. The Director of Animal Husbandry was asked to take necessary initiatives for the ABC Programme in collaboration with Maneka Gandhi's organization and to formulate a plan to promote camel dairies and ensure shelters for camels in Nubra Valley.

Photo Caption: Former Union Minister and renowned animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi meeting with Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), First Lady Neelam Mishra and other officials.