BMC moves a step closer to introducing municipal pet parks in Mumbai

In what would come as a major relief to pet parents the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has taken a step towards provision for municipal pet parks in the city The BMCrsquos General Body passed the Notice of Motion for addition of provisions for pet parks in the DCPR Mumbai Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034 on July 20 The motion is moving through due process and a proposal for policy change may be seen once officials concerned check its feasibilityA Hyderabadbased pet parkrsquos design that Prabhu is eyeing for the pet parks in his constituency PIC courtesyxKTRBRSThe notice was moved by municipal councillor of the Opposition from Gorgaon Shiv Sena UBTrsquos Ankit Prabhu ldquoThe motion has passed in the General Body and simultaneously I have also written a representation letter to the chief ministerrdquo Prabhu saidAddition of provisionsNotice of Motion sayshelliplsquoIn the DCPR 2034 no separate park or ground has been provided for pets Considering the fact that it is necessary to create new parks to walk pets in Mumbai city the municipal corporation is of the firm opinion that provision should be made in the DCPR for creation of parks for walking pets at various places in MumbairdquoPet parent troublesAnkit Sunil Prabhu Shiv Sena UBT councillor from ward PS 54 GoregaonlsquoThere are around 1 lakh BMCregistered pets in Mumbai I have been a pet parent myself in the past and understand their concerns Many pet parents have reached out to me with their concerns I could have used my corporator funds to develop such parks reserved garden land parcels are available and NGOs are available for operations but the primary issue arises from the fact that there is no specific policy in place for pet park development Senior civic officials told me that even if the corporation makes a few they could be shut over a few complaints due to lack of concrete policy supportrsquoPet parents can expecthellipPrabhu said his vision involves the complete welfare of pets Depending on specific locations requirements and operational feasibility pet parks can also include separate arrangements for different species daycare services veterinary clinics physiotherapy a swimming pool play area etc ldquoI am eyeing four spots in my Goregaonbased constituency for pet parks they are reserve garden lands near commercial buildingsrdquo Prabhu saidWhat prompted motionAccording to Prabhu he wanted to make pet parks part of the policy first as then the city could have easier policydriven development of pet parks ldquoThe policy change is also a part of the Shiv Sena UBTrsquos manifestordquo he addedThe next stepAccording to stakeholders experienced in the process the Notice of Motion will be forwarded by the BMC to the Urban Development Department UDD of the Maharashtra government The UDD will assess the feasibility of the motion and send a response to the corporation If the response is positive the BMC will draft a proposal for the necessary amendment to make pet parks inclusive in the DCPR The proposal will ultimately reach the BMC General Body for discussions and voting following which policy changes can be implementedParent SpeakKarn Shah pet parent and a canine and feline behaviouristlsquoBoth pet parents and residents who are uncomfortable with them will benefit That said as a canine and feline behaviourist I suggest that authorities also implement several safety rules for these parks once they are operational BMCrsquos registration mandate will ensure transparency about vaccination a leash at all times and hefty fines on pet parents not clearing litterrsquopopcorn numberJuly 20 descDay proposal was cleared classDefault