Dogs in ‘Navi Blue’: Need for more awareness
You take a casual stroll in a park basking in the early morning sunrays. Out of the blue, a dog crosses your path. Strange enough, it is sporting a dark blue coat. What will be your first reaction? Surprise? Shock? Bewilderment?
A lot of residents at Navi Mumbai’s Taloja Industrial Area have been witnessing this odd phenomenon over the past few days. Apparently, they were clueless about what caused the colouring effect in strays. It took a while – and a great deal of awareness campaigns – for them to get to the root of the issue.
The reason? Environmental activists point at untreated industrial effluents from the industrial suburb’s factories being discharged into the Kasadi river. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has reportedly initiated stringent action against one firm emptying waste dye into the river. The company faces shutdown, if it fails to adhere to pollution norms within 15 days.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the unit situated close to the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in Navi Mumbai, uses blue dye to manufacture detergents. When strays enter the polluted water, they get the ‘blues’. One of five such ‘blue dogs’ spotted has even gone blind owing to the chemicals, HT quoted Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) members saying.
Soon after the development, the Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell sprang into action and duly clicked photos of the ‘blue dogs’ to raise awareness. It is believed to have sought the help of the TSPCA animal hospital to treat the canines. Arati Chauhan of the animal protection cell has been conducting awareness drives among local residents to realise how dogs and other animals are being affected by the chemical pollution.
The incident highlights the lax attitude of civic authorities as well as public apathy in ensuring safety of animals. It will serve us well if fellow citizens took it upon themselves rather than waiting for official response from the government. A call to a rescue group or veterinary hospital will go a long way in saving our four-legged friends.
