The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has intensified efforts to manage the stray dog population and improve public safety through the PAWS (Partnering for Animal Welfare & Sterilization) initiative, a coordinated programme focused on humane, scientific and sustainable animal welfare practices across the Islands.
The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) in collaboration with the District Administration and the Department of Rural Development. While statutory responsibility for stray animal control rests with Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal bodies, AH&VS has extended technical and veterinary support to ensure the effective execution of Animal Birth Control (ABC), sterilisation and vaccination measures.
As part of the programme, an Orientation-cum-Training session was conducted on July 25, 2025, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders. Participants included representatives from district administrations, municipal councils, the Rural Development Department, tribal councils, PRI members, and college students. The session focused on aligning institutional roles and promoting a coordinated, humane approach to stray animal management in line with national guidelines and judicial directions.
During the current month, two dedicated veterinary teams were deployed to Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep under the leadership of doctors Mohammed and Baljit Kaur. According to official data, the teams successfully covered 91 animals at Shaheed Dweep and 121 animals at Swaraj Dweep under the ABC programme, along with allied veterinary interventions. These operations marked a significant step in reducing uncontrolled breeding while improving animal health and public safety.
Local administrative and panchayat-level support played a key role in the programme’s implementation. Pinki Das, Pradhan of GP Shaheed Dweep; Alok Mridha, Pradhan of Shyam Nagar; Ajit Roy, Pradhan of Govind Nagar; Gurjit Kaur, BDO of Prothrapur Block; along with Sudhanshu Biswas and C. Aleena, Panchayat Secretary at Swaraj Dweep, facilitated temporary dog shelters and arrangements for feeding and managing animals during the sterilisation drive. Their coordination helped ensure smooth on-ground operations.
The South Andaman Veterinary and Municipal Public Corporation (SVPMC) also contributed by providing trained dog catchers. These personnel not only assisted in humane catching of stray dogs but also trained local volunteers, strengthening community capacity and ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards during the programme.
Parallel to veterinary interventions, the PAWS initiative placed strong emphasis on public awareness and prevention. Awareness programmes on “Stray Dog Bite Prevention” were conducted across the Islands, targeting schools and the general public. In Shaheed Dweep, 636 students and teachers participated, while in Swaraj Dweep, 1,198 students and teachers were covered. Students were encouraged to actively support the ABC programme by bringing their pets to veterinary dispensaries for sterilisation.
The general public was also sensitised about responsible waste management and the importance of identifying designated dog-feeding zones, particularly in tourist-frequented beaches, to minimise human-dog conflict and improve sanitation.
Encouraged by the outcomes in Swaraj Dweep, the administration has constituted similar veterinary teams for North and Middle Andaman. Field operations are being planned in coordination with district authorities and local bodies to ensure wider coverage. Upcoming ABC programmes will focus on towns such as Rangat and Diglipur, with the objective of sterilising a maximum number of stray dogs while continuing public sensitisation efforts, especially among school children.
Officials noted that long-term success of the initiative depends on sustained community participation. Residents, pradhans and local NGOs have been urged to extend cooperation to make the programme effective and enduring. To streamline public reporting, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has designated ERSS Helpline 112 for reporting the presence of stray animals in public spaces.
The PAWS initiative reflects a growing policy shift towards responsible, humane and community-driven stray animal management in the Islands, combining veterinary science, public awareness and local governance to address a persistent civic and public safety challenge.
