How Kashi Will Become Rabies-Free? MoU Signed Between Varanasi Municipal Corporation and Vedanta Group
Varanasi is now poised to become a model city in the country in the field of animal welfare and scientific management. To this end, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and the Anil Agarwal Foundation of the Vedanta Group.
Under this agreement, the Municipal Corporation's Animal Birth Control (ABC) center in Aidhe will be upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility. The Foundation's flagship animal welfare initiative, 'TACO', will operate and manage this center for the next 15 years.
Foundation will invest Rs. 50 crore from its CSR funds
In the initial phase, the Foundation will invest Rs. 50 crore from its CSR funds. Through this, the center will scientifically carry out the sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination of street dogs in accordance with the 'Animal Birth Control Rules-2023' and the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India.
Developing a humane model in Varanasi
The MoU was signed by Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal and the Foundation's President, Ritu Jhingan. On this occasion, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Limited and Anchor of TACO, said, “Our objective is to develop a humane model in Varanasi that fosters better harmony between animals and society.”
Goal is to make Varanasi an animal-sensitive city
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal stated that this partnership will effectively control the street dog population in the city and strengthen public health and civic safety. The goal is to make Varanasi completely rabies-free and an animal-sensitive city through this center. The Foundation will be responsible for the necessary infrastructure, a team of veterinarians, and operational resources.
A milestone in strengthening the animal welfare system
This agreement will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the animal welfare system. Its main objective is to ensure humane and scientific management of ABC operations and the animal population in Kashi, so that the city can become one of the leading cities in the country in terms of public health, safety, and animal sensitivity.