Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of Odisha has directed all government and government-aided degree colleges across the state to immediately strengthen campus security and waste management to stop stray dogs and cattle from entering their premises.
In an official letter issued on Wednesday to principals of all such institutions, the Department mandated the installation of proper boundary walls and gates to physically prevent animals from roaming in academic blocks, hostels, and open areas.
Citing growing safety concerns, the Department pointed out that the unrestricted movement of stray dogs and cattle on campuses poses a serious risk to students, faculty, and staff, including the thr
eat of bites and accidents.
Besides physical barriers, colleges have been asked to conduct compulsory awareness programmes for students and employees on safe behaviour around stray animals and basic first-aid in case of dog bites.
The directive further emphasised that open dumping of garbage must stop and proper disposal practices be adopted so animals are not drawn to college buildings or surrounding areas. All colleges have been instructed to implement these measures without delay and submit a consolidated compliance report to the Department.
The move comes days after the Supreme Court pulled up states for failing to control the growing menace of stray dogs on educational campuses and directed immediate action to protect students. It ordered for removing stray dogs from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations, and relocate them “to a designated shelter” after due sterilisation and vaccination in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.