The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has plans to establish the city’s first dedicated dog park next to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj. However, these plans are currently on hold as the project has not yet received the necessary approval from the Central Zoo Authority of India. Despite assurances from the PMC that the dog park would operate independently and not disturb the animals at the Zoological Park, the lack of approval has delayed the project significantly.
The Need for a Dog Park
With Pune’s population increasing, so is the number of pets, particularly dogs. While the city boasts numerous parks, playgrounds, and jogging tracks for its citizens, dog owners often face challenges. Many resort to walking their dogs along roads, which can lead to unsanitary conditions due to dog waste. This issue has led to numerous complaints from residents and even some police cases stemming from related disputes.
Inspiration and Initial Plans
Inspired by successful dog parks in cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad, the PMC proposed setting up a dog park on the Katraj-Kondhwa road. The proposed site covers approximately four and a half acres adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. The then PMC commissioner inspected and approved this location, and a comprehensive plan with an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore was prepared. However, since the site falls under the Zoological Park’s jurisdiction, the PMC needed approval from the Central Zoo Authority of India. Despite clarifying that the dog park would be isolated from the Zoological Park and would not disturb its animals, the approval remains pending. Last month, the PMC’s Garden Department submitted another request for approval, but progress remains stalled.
Ongoing Efforts and Alternative Plans
PMC Additional Commissioner Ramvindra Binwade stated, “The site of the dog park at Katraj has not yet been approved by the Central Zoo Authority of India. Efforts are ongoing. We are also looking for alternative sites in other parts of the city.”
Due to the delay at Katraj, the PMC is now evaluating other large amenity spaces across Pune for the dog park. Potential sites, ranging from one to three acres, are under consideration, including a location in Baner along the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway.
Proposed Facilities and Adjustments
The original Katraj site plan included a variety of facilities designed to cater to dog owners and their pets:
- Walkways for dog owners
- Poop scoopers
- Composting pits
- An amphitheatre
- A veterinary clinic
- A training centre
- A play area
- A grooming parlour
- A swimming pool for dogs
- Parking facilities
If a new, smaller site is chosen, some of these amenities might be scaled back to fit the available space.
