GBA impact on ABC ARV

2nd May 2025

Mr Maheshwar Rao

The Commissioner,

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP),

Bengaluru.

Via email :

Dear Mr Rao:

Subject: Proactive Planning for Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) Under the Proposed Greater Bangalore Authority

With the recent proposal & notification to replace BBMP with the *Greater Bangalore Authority (GBA)*, expanding Bengaluru’s administrative jurisdiction to include 193 existing wards and several surrounding gram panchayats and villages, we urge BBMP to proactively address the challenges this expansion poses for Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programs. The GBA area goes up by almost 40% from 709 to 1000 km.² and can include up to 7 municipal authorities like BBMP, This transition is a massive challenge but presents a critical opportunity to institutionalize systematic, scalable, and humane animal population management across the new geography. We cannot let down the animals and the humans coexistence by being unprepared for the transition and implementation.

Key Concerns & Context

1. Current Gaps in Outlying Areas:

- The villages and panchayats proposed to be absorbed under GBA lack structured ABC/ARV programs, as gram panchayats do not have dedicated tenders or infrastructure for animal welfare.

- Uncontrolled dog populations in these areas could exacerbate public health risks (e.g., rabies) and human-animal conflict post-merger.

2. BBMP’s Existing Capacity vs. Expanded Jurisdiction:

- BBMP currently operates ABC/ARV programs across 8 zones.The GBA’s expanded geography (potentially doubling the area) will require:

- New zones or sub-zones to manage ABC/ARV efficiently.

- Additional staff, veterinary infrastructure, and NGO partnerships.

- Without planning, BBMP risks repeating past challenges of delayed tenders, uneven implementation, and stretched resources.

3. Legal & Welfare Obligations:

- The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 mandate local bodies to conduct ABC/ARV. The GBA must comply from day one to avoid legal non-compliance.

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Request for Clarification & Action Plan

We request BBMP to clarify the following to ensure a seamless transition:

1. Geographical Mapping

- Which specific villages/panchayats will be merged under GBA? Has BBMP assessed their current dog populations and ABC/ARV status?

2. Zonal Restructuring

- Does BBMP plan to create new zones or retain the existing 8 zones? If retaining, how will resource allocation be adjusted for the larger area?

3. Staffing & Infrastructure

- Will BBMP hire additional veterinarians, dogcatchers, and field staff? Are there plans to set up ABC centers in newly added areas?

4. SOPs for Transition:

- What **standard operating procedures (SOPs)** will BBMP adopt to integrate ABC/ARV in new areas? Will existing NGOs/partners be expanded to cover GBA?

5. Funding & Tenders:

- How will BBMP allocate budgets for ABC/ARV in the expanded jurisdiction? Will new tenders be floated to include NGOs operating in peri-urban areas?

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Proposed Implementation Plan

To ensure effective ABC/ARV under GBA, we recommend a phased approach:

1. Phase 1 (Pre-Transition Assessment

- Conduct a dog census in proposed GBA areas.

- Collaborate with panchayats to gather baseline data on ABC/ARV efforts.

2. Phase 2 (Zonal Expansion)

- Create 4–6 new zones focused on peri-urban/village clusters.

- Deploy mobile ABC/ARV units to address remote areas.

3. Phase 3 (Capacity Building)

- Train panchayat staff on ABC protocols.

- Partner with local NGOs and veterinary colleges for manpower support.

4. Phase 4 (Pilot Programs)

- Launch ABC/ARV drives in 2–3 high-density zones pre-transition to test scalability.

5. Phase 5 (Monitoring Framework):

- Assign zonal officers to track progress via real-time dashboards (e.g., dogs sterilized/vaccinated per zone).

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Conclusion

The shift to GBA is a watershed moment to redefine Bengaluru’s approach to animal welfare. By addressing ABC/ARV proactively—through zonal restructuring, staffing, and community engagement—BBMP can prevent chaos and ensure compliance with legal and ethical obligations. We urge BBMP to share its roadmap for the transition and welcome collaboration with civil society groups to achieve these goals.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

CJ Memorial Trust

CC: Mr Vikas Suralkar Spl Commr- AH

CC: Dr Chandraiah JD BBMP AH

CC All Concerned