Srinagar, Jun 24: The future of Kashmir’s only functioning Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme has come under fresh uncertainty, with sterilisation centres falling silent and stray dog concerns mounting.
As the Shuhama facility faces closure and the Chatterhama centre remains unfinished, Kashmir’s dog sterilisation network has virtually stalled, raising questions about public safety, animal welfare, and the region’s ability to manage its growing stray dog population.
The dog sterilisation avenues keep shrinking in Kashmir: now, the Shuhama Animal Sterilisation Centre of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKAUST-K) has written to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) asking it to vacate the premises it has occupied since no surgeries were being carried out at the facility for the past two years.
According to officials privy with the matter, sterilisation activities at the Shuhama facility have remained suspended since 2024.
The surgeries were suspended after a visit by Animal Welfare Board of India raised objections to some practices, and demanded amendment in the manner in which SMC was operating.
The SKAUST-K officials have asked SMC to hand over the Shuhama premises back to the university pointing out that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SKAUST-K and SMC had expired, and that the space was not being utilised.
The communication comes at a time when Srinagar continues to grapple with a growing stray dog population and sterilisation programme at a grinding halt.
The issue gained further attention earlier this month when SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb, while speaking to media, said that sterilisation drives would begin in Srinagar soon “now that summers are here.”
The statement drew criticism with stakeholders questioning the delay in resuming operations months after the end of winter.
In addition, the proposed ABC facility at Chatterhama has remained incomplete for years despite repeated assurances from officials.
The suspension of stray dog sterilisation operations has sparked renewed concern among public.
Official data placed before the Legislative Assembly recently revealed that only 935 dogs were sterilised in Srinagar in the entire year of 2025.
This year, the SMC’s sterilisation efforts are yet to take off.
All sterilisation activities are stalled in Kashmir at the approach of winters, as per the directions of AWBI.
Estimates dating back to 2023 revealed that Srinagar had 65,000 dogs.
No scientific dog census has been carried out in Kashmir, officials said.
The government also revealed in the Assembly that 2,12,968 dog-bite cases were reported across J&K between 2022 and 2025.
This averaged to nearly 150 bites every day.
Of these, 1,14,498 cases were reported from Kashmir division.
Srinagar alone accounted for over 36,000 cases.
Veterinary experts have time and again stated that efficacy of sterilisation programmes depends on continuity.
Short interruptions have been shown to allow fresh breeding cycles, resulting in rapid population recovery.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised adherence to ABC Rules and expediting of sterilisation for public safety, as well as humane treatment of animals.
