Animal lovers need to form small local groups

We have been listening a lot about human rights, but what about the rights of animals, birds, trees and rivers? For human life to continue on the earth, it is absolutely necessary that the entire ecosystem remains intact. If even a single link in the ecosystem breaks, the life of all other living beings is affected adversely. Renowned scientist Albert Einstein once said that if all the bees died out, there would be no life on earth. Do you know why, because it is the bees that help in the pollination of various tree and plants and their progeny. During the last two decades, 75 percent of insect species have become extinct from the world due to indiscriminate use of insecticides in agriculture and horticulture. As a result of this, the number of birds has also gone down. Homeless dogs living in human settlements and residential colonies are actually known as community dogs. In ancient times, humans domesticated wild dogs for guarding purposes and took them along for hunting also. This relationship of friendship and fellowship has been going on for centuries. But, today man immersed in modernity is ignoring these companions. Without eating anything, and even without getting praise, these creatures still guard our streets and houses for free.
 
An important piece of advice emerged in a Twitter chat of experts from across the country that animal lovers and compassionate people across the country should form small groups of like-minded people at the locality or Mohalla level. These small groups can at least take care of their neighbourhood animals or dogs, their needs of medicine, sterilisation, food and rights, and together they can make efforts to improve their lives. Three or four kind hearted animal lovers can be found in every street or community. They should keep in touch with each other and help the community animals with the support of each other. There is power in unity. Therefore, antisocial elements will not dare to cast their evil eyes on these voiceless animals. My daughter herself got three female dogs sterilised giving them a new life. When a single child can do this, imagine what a group of four or five people could do.
 
How to help the dogs in the neighbourhood in winter and in the rainy season? I noticed that three kind hearted people in my neighbourhood have put old mattresses outside their garages for street dogs to sleep on and they protect them from antisocial elements also. Antisocial elements not only spoil their own ‘karma’, they also make the whole environment toxic and negative. In such a situation, animal lovers should stay united and keep adding more and more volunteers in their groups. There was also a good suggestion that homeless dogs should not be given jackets or sweaters, as they can cause the death of the animal by getting stuck in a vehicle. Instead, care should be taken of the food and drink of the animals, so that they remain healthy and friendly. More and more people need to be kind and compassionate.

(Author is a senior journalist & columnist)