BENGALURU: A group of citizens who are passionately trying to restore the functioning of the ABC centre, run by SSS on Queens Road, tried to meet the BBMP commissioner with a few demands. While they could not meet the Commissioner, who was away on official duty to Krishnagiri, they got assurances of support from various quarters including the Mayor and senior forest department officials.
The concerned citizens want the officials to ensure that none of the trees -- numbering more than 90 -- are cut down to build the mutli-specialty vet hospital. Harini Raghavan says, “We are not compromising on a single tree and we also want them to restore the heritage and history of the place which dates back to 1908”. Secondly, they say that asking the centre to Jakkur where nothing is in place is fundamentally wrong.
Dr Akshay of SSS says, “We have found a shed in Jakkur and need to shift there because the Deputy Director Dr. Nagendra sent us the letter asking us to vacate the premises. We have tried and moved many dogs to necessary centres but there are many more dogs under treatment.” The condition of the Jakkur site for shifting the hospital is miserable, and it has no proper roofing.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Appurao has promised that they will hold on the cutting down of trees for two more days. “I will personally meet the Commissioner and concerned officials and see to it that we can save more trees,” he said.
Mayor G. Padmavati too promised support. She said,” Tomorrow I will come with you to meet the Minister of Animal husbandry A Manju and later inspect the site and see that the trees are saved.” Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner of Health and Solid Waste Management, stated, “A committee consisting of former government officials, experts and citizens to drive a sustainable plan for ABC will be formed.” He also assured that the animal husbandry department will be asked to allow the ABC centre to function from the new veterinary complex, once it is constructed.