Safe Haven for Animals: New Shelter to Rise in Wayanad

A new shelter for domestic animals is set to be established in Kottathara village, Wayanad, Kerala, to protect them during disasters. The project is a collaboration between the Wayanad DDMA, Kottathara grama panchayat, and HSI India and is funded at Rs 69.5 lakh.

A new initiative to safeguard domestic animals during disasters will soon be underway in Kottathara village, located in Kerala's Wayanad district. A shelter is to be constructed, a collaborative effort led by the Wayanad District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the local Kottathara grama panchayat, and Humane Society International (HSI) India.

The joint project has garnered financial commitment from the involved parties, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 69.5 lakh, according to a state Disaster Management Department order issued on March 10. The Department has cleared the proposal submitted by HSI with a stipulation that the local body should manage the shelter's annual operating expenses.

Further backing comes from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), which has approved Rs 10 lakh from its CSR fund to aid the project. With 50 cents of land allocated for construction by the grama panchayat, the shelter's supervision will fall under the DDMA while ongoing operations will be the responsibility of the panchayat, ensuring the animals' safety during natural calamities.

(With inputs from agencies.)