Understanding State Districts & Municipalities & its impact on Animal Welfare

Karnataka Map showing 31 Districts & 4 Administrative Divisions

I admit I still don’t have the answers to the title though!

Karnataka has 31 districts and 318 urban local bodies, which include various types of municipalities. The urban local bodies are categorized into City Corporations, City Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils, Town Panchayats, and Notified Area Committees. 

Districts

• There are a total of 31 districts in the state of Karnataka. 

• These districts are grouped into four administrative divisions: Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru. 

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Municipalities (Urban Local Bodies)

• Karnataka has 318 urban local bodies as of recent information. 

• These are further classified into different categories of municipalities: 

  • Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) (1): The single largest municipal corporation for the Bengaluru city. 

  • Municipal Corporations (13): Large urban areas with municipal status. 

  • City Municipal Councils (60): For cities with significant urban populations. 

  • Town Municipal Councils (126): For smaller towns with a specific population threshold. 

  • Town Panchayats (114): For smaller urban or rapidly urbanizing areas. 

  • Notified Area Committees (4): To provide municipal services in specified areas, such as industrial area

How does this impact animal welfare from both the perspective of ABC ARV as well as SPCA related stuff?

The AHVS or animal husbandry and veterinary services department, is divided district wise across the state of Karnataka . which is headed by director, Dr Srinivas who also is the ex officio head and member secretary of the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board Of India Member, whether it is rabies animal birth control come under its overview, although it’s execution will remain with the municipalities. So this is where the confusion and intersectionality becomes a concern. The districts of the state AHVS uses do not always match the municipalities . So the activity location and budgeting/payment location could be different, Now that impacts results too

Bangalore Urban for AHVS has five districts and its coverage goes well beyond the BB now the GBA, it is the same for the Police as well. So while for example, an area like angle is not covered by the GBA/BBMB, it is covered as Bangalore urban by the AHBS. Therefore, if there is a vaccination drive, one can certainly approach the municipality, but the AHVS department can also push it or take charge..

However, for a regular citizens, this navigation is quite confusing and frankly quite a mine field. When one wants to get simple things done like ABC ARV , which is so critical to a state. Over and above that the district SPC is also have their oversight on all of these including cruelty cases.

Blr Urban District with its 5 Talukas, also showing the enclosed GBA /BBMP boundaries

Detailed Bangalore Urban District Map : https://kgis.ksrsac.in/kgisdocuments/PDF_KML_SHP1/PDF/pdf/District_Bengaluru%20(Urban).pdf