Residents of Lakherem, mostly Dhangars and totally dependent on dairy farming, are alarmed that the stray dogs have begun moving around the garbage site in search of food, posing a grave threat to their livestock
Residents of Lakherem-Bicholim have always voiced concern over the garbage treatment plant in their village, but their fears have now turned into panic as the project has unexpectedly posed a grave threat to residents and their livestock.
It may be recalled that the Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) had set up the garbage treatment plant on 25,000 sq mts of land at Lakherem, after overcoming initial resistance from the villagers.
The project was inaugurated amid much fanfare on June 27, 2009, by then urban development minister Joaquim Alemao and North Goa MP Shripad Naik.
The villagers were initially concerned that the garbage dumps could lead to unbearable stench in the area. Now after about four years, they have been faced with a problem of a different kind.
“The garbage treatment plant has attracted hundreds of dogs from in and around Bicholim, as they can easily feast on the garbage piles at the site,” said Babu Tate of Lakherem.
Most residents of Lakherem, who are from the Dhangar community and totally dependent on dairy farming, are now alarmed that the stray dogs have begun moving around the garbage site in search of food.
“These dogs have become habituated to devouring meat at the garbage site, so much so that they don’t hesitate to attack our cows. There have been several instances where dogs have targeted the cows. The stray dogs arrive in packs and after rummaging through piles of garbage, they lie on the open ground during the day. If a calf or some goats move around the area, these stray dogs pounce on them and kill them, as they are easy prey,” complained Babu.
Voicing similar views, another resident, Dhaktu Tate, recalled that residents would earlier let their goats graze on the grasslands without any fear.
“But now, everything has changed. In one such incident, one of our goats did not return till late night and next day, we only found the head of the goat and the entire body was devoured by the stray dogs,” said Dhaktu.
Incidentally, the BMC has erected a compound wall around the garbage treatment plant, but one portion of it has been left open, making it easy for the stray dogs to enter and exit the site.
“We don’t know why the BMC has broken a part of the wall from the rear side of the treatment plant. They merely erected a barricade with the help of some bamboos,” said Dhaktu.
What has further horrified residents of Lakherem is that the stray dogs have begun entering cow sheds in the village and have started attacking the livestock.
“Last week, one of my calves was killed by the dogs after they entered my cow shed. Till date, I have lost about eight calves after they were killed by the dogs,” said Hanuman Phale.
To avoid any further loss to their livestock, residents have begun keeping an eye on their animals, but there have been instances when these dogs have begun chasing the residents.
“We try to keep at least one person to keep a watch on our cows, but the dogs have now become so bold that they bark and run after our people. We are now forced to travel with a wooden stick to avoid being attacked by the dogs,” said Phale.
“We want the authorities to act immediately before the dogs start attacking people in the village,” added Phale.
