Srinagar, Jan 2,: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a formal order nominating a nodal officer for the management of stray dogs at the administrative department level, marking an institutional step toward coordinated handling of the growing stray dog issue.

According to Government Order, the Jal Shakti Department has accorded sanction to the nomination of Suheel Ahmad Lone, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, as the Nodal Officer for management of stray dogs.

The appointment is aimed at ensuring structured oversight and coordination within the department on matters related to stray dog management.

The order further specifies that Technical Officers attached to all Chief Engineers of the Jal Shakti Department have also been designated as nodal officers within their respective jurisdictions. These officers will function at the level of Chief Engineers’ offices, extending the implementation mechanism across divisions and field units.

The decision reflects the administration’s intent to establish a clear chain of responsibility for addressing issues arising from the presence of stray dogs, which have increasingly become a concern for locals in several urban and semi-urban areas due to safety, sanitation, and public health implications.

Copies of the order have been circulated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the offices of the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, senior secretariat officials, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and other concerned authorities to ensure wide dissemination and compliance.

The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by senior officials of the Jal Shakti Department, bringing it into immediate effect from January 1, 2026. [KNT]