BBMP to celebrate Kukur Tihar Festival, promote dog welfare initiatives on October 17

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing to celebrate the Kukur Tihar festival, also known as the Festival of Dogs, on October 17. This event, aimed at highlighting the importance of dogs in society, seeks to raise awareness of their roles in the ecosystem and promote positive attitudes toward them.

Also Read: BBMP suspends 2,000 building plan approvals over land conversion issues

BBMP’s Animal Husbandry Department, in partnership with Sahavarthin Animal Welfare Trust and other organizations, has launched several initiatives under the #BITEFREELOCALITY campaign. The goal is to create "coexistence champions," who will advocate for building a more humane environment for animals. These efforts go beyond traditional measures like animal birth control and vaccinations, emphasizing the need to understand and accept animals as part of the natural world.

The festival will focus on shifting perceptions of dogs, especially street dogs, highlighting their loyalty and companionship, as well as dispelling fears related to bites and attacks. BBMP is encouraging residents to share their positive experiences with street dogs to foster a stronger human-animal connection.

As part of the celebrations, BBMP will pilot a project enlisting pourakarmikas from four wards to feed street dogs with leftover food from local restaurants. The plan aims to expand citywide, ensuring consistent feeding of community dogs.

Residents interested in volunteering can register with BBMP until October 15. For more details, the public can reach out via the BBMP helpline.