In a significant move to ensure tourist safety, the Maharashtra government has now extended its drive against stray dogs to cover all tourist destinations across the state. This decision comes just days after it tightened norms for highways and expressways.
New Mandate for Tourism Establishments
The state's tourism and cultural affairs department issued a notification on January 5, directing both the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and private players to ensure their facilities are free from stray dogs. The order applies uniformly to all government-owned and privately managed establishments.
This includes private hotels, resorts, homestays, and other registered tourism projects located within the jurisdiction of municipal corporations, municipal councils, and gram panchayats.
Implementation of Animal Welfare SOPs
The government has mandated the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) framed by the Animal Welfare Board of India. These SOPs provide clear guidelines for preventing dog bite incidents and managing the presence of stray dogs in public and institutional spaces, all while adhering to animal welfare norms.
To ensure effective on-ground compliance, the government has appointed six regional deputy directors of tourism as nodal officers for their respective regions. These officers will collaborate closely with local self-government bodies at tourist locations.
Monitoring and Display Requirements
An assistant director at the tourism directorate has been designated as the controlling officer to monitor the implementation and carry out periodic reviews, as per the Government Resolution (GR).
Tourist accommodations have received specific instructions to prominently display the contact details of the designated nodal officers at visible points within their premises. This measure aims to facilitate better coordination and prompt redressal of any issues related to stray dogs.
The government has also stated that regular inspections and reviews will be conducted to assess compliance and address any gaps in the process.
Supreme Court Directive Spurs Action
This statewide decision finds its context in a suo motu writ petition taken up by the Supreme Court. The court is addressing the increasing incidents of dog attacks and human-animal conflict in public spaces.
During hearings held in November last year, the Supreme Court asked states to develop effective mechanisms to prevent such conflicts, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to animal welfare laws. Maharashtra's latest directive is a direct response to this judicial push for a balanced and systematic solution.
