In a first, Bengaluru to use drones for dog census
BENGALURU: In a first, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to use drones for its dog survey in the city, which will be conducted after four years. BBMP Special Commissioner (health), Dr KV Thrilok Chandra said, “We are planning to use drones on a pilot basis in remote areas and places adjacent to water bodies to locate the dogs.” The census will be conducted on hybrid mode -- teams will gather data, which will be combined with the details collected from drones.
Since drones are being used for the first time, they will be only used in relatively open areas as certain areas in the city are congested, and have narrow lanes and hanging electric cables. Officials said that 50 teams, each comprising two people, will visit the areas from July 1 from 6:30 am to 10 am daily. The surveyors will also click photographs to avoid duplication during the census.
The last census was in 2019. Since multiple dog-biting cases were reported in Bengaluru, BBMP officials expect that they will get information on dog population in different areas, and control them. The census will also help them study the impact of animal birth control (ABC) measures and anti-rabies programmes.
Another pilot project is on the cards after the census concludes, where they will insert microchips in dogs, containing details of vaccination and sterilisation. This will identify dogs who have not been vaccinated and prevent multiple vaccination of the same dog due to lack of information.
Amrut Sridhara Hiranya, a dog behaviour expert from Bengaluru, said the pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of stray dogs in general because the neutering and vaccination programmes came to a halt for months. The census will help in reducing dog-bite cases and control their population across the city, added Hiranya.
Murthy hands over report on transport corporations to Reddy
Bengaluru: Former Additional Chief Secretary MR Srinivasa Murthy met Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and the managing directors of all four transport corporations- KSRTC, BMTC, KKRTC and NWKRTC Saturday. Murthy, chairman of the one-man committee constituted to recommend ways to restructure and revive the ailing bus corporations, handed over a copy of his report to Reddy, and briefed him through a presentation. He lauded the Shakti scheme, and said that the average daily ridership of all four transport corporations which was 84.15 lakh has crossed 1 crore after the scheme. Reddy lauded the KSRTC for refurbishing 460 old buses, and said that measures have been taken to induct new buses and recruit staff. He also directed officials to visit bus stands to ensure that basic facilities like drinking water, waiting rooms, and toilets are available. ENS