21 October,2026 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mayor Ritu Tawde at the inauguration of a two-day free veterinary surgery camp in Ghatkopar on Wednesday.. PIC/BMC
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has urged citizens to stop discarding food in plastic bags after highlighting how stray cattle ingest plastic waste, with as much as 40-50 kg of plastic reportedly removed from a cow's stomach during surgery recently. Her appeal came during the inauguration of a two-day free veterinary surgery camp in Ghatkopar on Wednesday.
The camp, organised at Aradhya Bhakti Park (Police Hockey Ground) in Ghatkopar East, has registered more than 110 sick and needy animals for free surgeries and medical treatment as of the first day. The initiative is being jointly organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra government's Animal Husbandry Department and the Arham Yuva Seva Group (Arham Always Care), under the inspiration of Rashtrasant Shri Namramuni Maharaj.
Addressing the inauguration, Tawde called on citizens to show greater compassion towards animals that endure serious illnesses, injuries and painful medical conditions but cannot communicate their suffering.
During her inspection of the camp, the mayor expressed concern over the consequences of plastic waste on stray cattle.
She said people often feed animals using plastic bags or leave leftover food wrapped in plastic on roads. Hungry cows and buffaloes end up consuming the bags along with the food, putting their health at risk.
Tawde said the removal of 40-50 kg of plastic from a cow's stomach during surgery was a deeply distressing sight. She urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and work towards making Mumbai, Maharashtra and the country plastic-free.
"The animals cannot speak or complain, but caring for them is our responsibility," the mayor said, appealing to citizens to take an active role in protecting animals and their environment.
The two-day camp, being held on Wednesday and Thursday, offers free treatment for a range of conditions, including horn cancer, hernia, eye and tail cancers, tumours, cataracts and complex orthopaedic problems.
Veterinary specialists are also performing rumenotomy, a surgical procedure used to remove plastic and other foreign material from the stomach compartment of cattle. Other minor and major surgeries are being conducted under the supervision of experienced veterinary doctors.
According to the BMC, more than 110 animals had been registered by Wednesday morning, with surgical procedures and medical treatment underway under specialist supervision.
Air-conditioned facilities to protect animals from October heat
Considering Mumbai's October heat, organisers have made special arrangements to ensure that sick, weak and post-operative animals remain comfortable during treatment and recovery.
The camp is operating from a fully equipped, air-conditioned dome featuring modular operation theatres, examination rooms and post-operative intensive care facilities. Arrangements have also been made for shelter, fodder and water.
The BMC has extended logistical support and provided manpower for the initiative under the directions of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare and Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special) Vinayak Vispute.
The inauguration was attended by local legislator Parag Shah, BMC Veterinary Public Health Department head Dr Kaleempasha Pathan, Mumbai Veterinary College's surgery and radiology department head Dr Gajendra Khandekar, Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai President Dr Anil Wade, and Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department officials Dr Prashant Kamble and Dr LD Pawar, among others.
Citizens who find sick or injured animals, or animals suffering from tumours or requiring surgery, can register them for treatment through the website animalcamp.alwayscare.org or call the helpline on 96358 39888.
Urging residents to make use of the initiative, Tawde said homeless animals need not remain helpless if people come forward to support them. She called for timely medical attention for animals in distress and greater public participation in their care.
