‘Community participation must to achieve goal of rabies-free Srinagar’
Srinagar, Sep 28: To mark World Rabies Day, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development department (HUDD), Mandeep Kaur today visited the Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ABC/ARV) Center at Tengpora here.
The day was commemorated with renewed resolve to eliminate rabies under the global theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community.” The observance aims to raise public awareness about rabies, a preventable yet fatal disease, while paying tribute to Louis Pasteur, the scientist who developed the first rabies vaccine.
Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, senior officers of SMC, veterinary officer, and other concerned officers also accompanied the Commissioner Secretary during the visit.
During the visit, Mandeep Kaur inspected the facilities, reviewed the ongoing ABC/ARV programme, observed sterilisation and vaccination procedures, and interacted with veterinary professionals to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative aimed at controlling the stray dog population and curbing rabies transmission.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner Secretary highlighted that rabies represents a One Health challenge, being a disease at the animal–human–environment interface, with cases in dogs, humans, and livestock closely linked. She stressed the need for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy involving vaccination drives, public education, and strong community participation to achieve the goal of a rabies-free Srinagar.
Commissioner SMC, Faz Lul Haseeb, reiterated SMC’s commitment to intensifying sterilisation and vaccination coverage across Srinagar, ensuring public health safety while promoting a humane approach towards the city’s stray animal population.
“Rabies elimination is not possible without community participation, and community participation is not possible without empathy. Let us not see strays as threats but as sentient companions deserving of care and protection.”
As part of the day’s observance, SMC organised a Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Camp for animals at the Tengpora Animal Shelter Centre, benefiting pet owners and local communities. Mementos were also distributed among animal lovers and volunteers, acknowledging their compassion and continued contribution to animal welfare.
The event concluded with a message of empathy and collective responsibility as- “Rabies elimination is not possible without community participation, and community participation is not possible without empathy. Let us not see strays as threats but as sentient companions deserving of care and protection.”
The observance of the day reaffirmed the government’s resolve to create a healthier, safer, and more compassionate Srinagar through sustained action, awareness, and citizen involvement.
