Uttar Pradesh has launched an incentive scheme to recognise and reward Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and NGOs that excel in stray dog care, specifically sterilization, vaccination, and feeding initiatives. Introduced on September 4, the move aligns with a Supreme Court directive issued on August 22. The government has also asked municipalities to clearly identify and mark feeding zones in every ward, respecting the territorial nature of dogs and aiming to reduce conflict. While the order commits to scientific, compassionate animal care, it doesn’t detail the incentive structure. Gauri Maulekhi of the ABC Monitoring Committee praised the policy, saying that true progress isn’t just measured in infrastructure but in the dignity shown toward our most vulnerable beings.
