Tripura government implements strict measures to control stray dogs and roadside animals as per Supreme Court orders, strengthening sterilisation, vaccination, shelters, surveillance, anti-rabies preparedness and public awareness to ensure public safety and animal welfare across the state.
The Tripura government has rolled out comprehensive measures to control stray dogs and animals roaming on roads, in strict compliance with directives issued by the Supreme Court of India. The initiative seeks to strike a balance between humane treatment of animals and the safety of citizens across urban and rural areas of the state.
Animal Resources Development Department Secretary Deepa D. Nair said the state has intensified implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. Under these rules, sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs have been made mandatory. The objective is to scientifically regulate the stray dog population while preventing the spread of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
To ensure effective enforcement, the government has initiated the establishment of Animal Birth Control centres and dedicated animal shelters in collaboration with local bodies and municipal authorities. The Animal Resources Development Department is providing technical and logistical support to these institutions to maintain proper standards of animal care.
Nair informed that the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has already operationalised an Animal Birth Control centre at Hapania. Additionally, an animal shelter is currently functioning at Radha Kishore Nagar. Similar infrastructure arrangements have been put in place in other municipal areas in coordination with the department and recognised animal welfare organisations.
As part of enhanced monitoring, nodal officers have been appointed at key public locations, including educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations. These officers are responsible for supervising stray dog management efforts and addressing public complaints in a timely manner.
The state has also introduced a 24-hour surveillance and rapid response system to control animals roaming along national highways. This initiative is being implemented jointly by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the Public Works Department, the Transport Department, municipal bodies and district administrations. The coordinated effort aims to prevent road accidents caused by stray animals and ensure safer highways.
Identified stray animals are being relocated to designated shelters and gaushalas, where facilities for food, clean drinking water and veterinary care are available. The government has also launched multiple helplines to facilitate public reporting and ensure swift action in cases involving aggressive or injured animals.
Director of the Animal Resources Development Department, Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, stated that adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin have been secured at hospitals across the state. This step is intended to ensure immediate treatment in case of dog bites and reduce the risk of rabies transmission.
Awareness programmes are being conducted in schools and colleges to educate students about the behaviour of stray dogs, common diseases transmitted by animals, preventive strategies and basic first aid procedures. Officials believe that public awareness is crucial for reducing panic and preventing unnecessary harm to animals.
Chanchal further noted that infrastructure related to stray animal management is being strengthened statewide, with specialised training being provided to personnel engaged in rescue, sterilisation and shelter operations. Currently, Tripura has three gaushalas located at Devipur, Mohanpur and Dharmanagar. Plans are underway to establish five additional gaushalas across five districts through partnerships with Non-Government Organisations.
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Highlighting enforcement efforts, Chanchal said that around 2,000 cattle have been rescued in recent years during operations aimed at preventing cattle smuggling. These rescued animals are being accommodated in state-supported shelters with proper care arrangements.
The state government has emphasised that its approach is guided by both legal compliance and humanitarian principles. By integrating sterilisation, vaccination, infrastructure development, surveillance systems and public awareness campaigns, Tripura aims to create a safer environment for residents while ensuring ethical treatment of animals.
