Mumbai could soon see dedicated municipal pet parks as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the process to include provisions for such spaces in the city’s planning regulations. The BMC General Body recently approved a Notice of Motion seeking amendments to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 to facilitate the creation of pet parks across the city.
The proposal, which was passed on July 20, will now undergo the required administrative and legal processes before any policy changes are introduced. Officials will examine the feasibility of the proposal before it is forwarded for further approval.
The motion was introduced by Shiv Sena (UBT) councillor Ankit Prabhu from Goregaon. Confirming the development, Prabhu said, “The motion has passed in the General Body, and simultaneously I have also written a representation letter to the chief minister.”
According to the Notice of Motion, Mumbai currently lacks designated public spaces for pets despite the growing number of pet owners. The proposal states: “In the DCPR 2034, no separate park or ground has been provided for pets. Considering the fact that it is necessary to create new parks to walk pets in Mumbai city, the municipal corporation is of the firm opinion that provision should be made in the DCPR for creation of parks for walking pets at various places in Mumbai.”
Highlighting the need for a formal policy, Prabhu said there are nearly one lakh BMC-registered pets in the city and many owners have repeatedly raised the issue. “There are around 1 lakh BMC-registered pets in Mumbai. I have been a pet parent myself in the past and understand their concerns. Many pet parents have reached out to me with their concerns. I could have used my corporator funds to develop such parks; reserved garden land parcels are available, and NGOs are available for operations, but the primary issue arises from the fact that there is no specific policy in place for pet park development. Senior civic officials told me that even if the corporation makes a few, they could be shut over a few complaints due to lack of concrete policy support.”
Prabhu said the proposed parks could go beyond simple walking areas and offer facilities such as separate zones for different animal species, daycare services, veterinary clinics, physiotherapy centres, swimming pools and dedicated play areas, depending on the location and operational feasibility. “I am eyeing four spots in my Goregaon-based constituency for pet parks; they are reserve garden lands near commercial buildings,” he said.
He added that the proposal aligns with the Shiv Sena (UBT) manifesto and aims to establish a clear policy framework before any pet parks are developed.
The proposal will now be sent to the Maharashtra government’s Urban Development Department (UDD), which will evaluate its feasibility. If approved, the BMC will draft amendments to the DCPR, which will then return to the General Body for discussion and final approval before implementation.
Pet owners have welcomed the move. Karn Shah, a pet parent and canine and feline behaviourist, said, “Both pet parents and residents who are uncomfortable with them will benefit. That said, as a canine and feline behaviourist, I suggest that authorities also implement several safety rules for these parks once they are operational: BMC’s registration mandate will ensure transparency about vaccination, a leash at all times, and hefty fines for pet parents not clearing litter.”
Source: Mid-day
