Green flag for Traffic Health Unit that provides medical services at doorstep of tribal people
Bengaluru: A new scheme that provides medical facilities at the doorstep of forest-dependent tribal people who are residing in rural and forest areas was launched by the Tribal Welfare Department in the city today.
Speaking after inaugurating, Deputy chief minister Dr. G Parameshwar said, 16 medical units at the cost of Rs. 8 crore have been set up. The Scheduled tribes such as Jenu Kuruba, Koraga, and forest dependents are residing in eight districts of the state. Two medical units will be operating in every such district.
In the first phase, the service of Traffic Health Unit will begin in Somwarpet, Virajpet, and Madikeri Taluks; Periyapatna, Hegde Devanakote and Hunsur Taluks in Mysuru district; Kollegal, Chamarajanagar, Yalanduru and Gundlupete taluks in Chamarajnagar.
In the second phase, the remaining eight traffic units will begin their services in Bantwal and Puttur Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district; Kundapur and Udupi taluks in Udupi district; Moodigere and Tarikere Taluks in Chikmagalur district, Shikaripura Taluk in Shimoga district and Haliyal taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
“This scheme reflects the commitment our government has towards the tribal communities who have been deprived of the emergency treatments,” Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwar said.
This project is being implemented in association with the Belagavi United Social Welfare Organization. There will be a doctor and a nurse in this health unit that will visit two villages every day.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
