It takes a while for the citizens to get the BBMP officials to take action on pigs loitering in their neighbourhoods. However, when they do make an appearance like a few days ago, the pigs run into the military grounds that is out of bounds for both the authorities and citizens. Despite the escape plan of the pigs, the BBMP was able to catch around 50 pigs in Sector 2 and Sector 3. Though they received reports of pigs being seen in Sector 1, they had vanished into the area of the defence forces by the time the catchers turned up.
The pig catching haul is significant because many years ago when the then corporator Latha Narasimhamurthy decided to rid HSR of pigs, she had to call off the drive when she was apparently threatened by the pig mafia. Later, BBMP designated officials of animal husbandry to catch the pigs. But the drive was never carried out for various reasons, including the pig mafia.
Residents also reported that vans carrying pigs would come to the edge of Sector 2 and drop them off in groups. However, that appears to have stopped as one resident said, “We don’t see such groups anymore, atleast not in the last 6-8 months. However, those who escape into the military grounds come back to HSR the next day. That’s when we know where they had been to.”
However, the cleanup drive for pigs in Sector 2 is always an incomplete exercise as the pigs escape into Sector 3, Sector 1 and the military grounds. However, this time, the BBMP did visit all the three sectors to nab a significant number of pigs.
Sector 3 resident Srikanth says: “There are around 50 pigs roaming on 25th Cross.” Another resident says that there are around 500 pigs in the military area. “Whenever they feel like, they enter the surrounding areas,” says one resident. “This info was given by contractors hired by BBMP for catching pigs.”
According to Dr Ravikumar of the BBMP, “fencing or compounding of the military area will restrict the movement of pigs.” Can the defence forces listen to his advice or do something else that will alleviate the problem?
But when will the military exterminate or relocate the pigs from their area remains to be seen. It’s a long-pending problem that refuses to go away permanently until the military acts on pigs.
The next time you spot pigs, report to Ravikumar (98452-73175).
Did you know Bangalore, India's tech hub, welcomes 13 million visitors every year? This August,…
Come June 2024, any government that comes to power in India should be pro-poor and…
By Team RW Active citizens, community leaders, and those committed to building brighter urban futures…
Bengaluru, India: A petition by a concerned citizen is urging the Karnataka government to abandon…
Bengaluru, India: Over 1,500 residents have signed an online petition demanding that authorities take immediate…
Welcome to HSR Layout, Bengaluru's vibrant neighborhood that offers a plethora of experiences waiting to…
This website uses cookies.