Project Sahajeevan is an initiative by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Based on the One Health approach, it addresses the links between human, animal, and environmental health. The project engages citizens through geotagging urban fauna, sterilising and vaccinating stray animals, and mandating pet registration via the city's online portal. A dedicated helpline has also been set up for animal-related issues. Overall, Project Sahajeevan aims to develop a caring and sustainable urban ecosystem in Guwahati through awareness campaigns, responsible pet ownership, and human care for animals.

What is Project Sahajeevan?

• A citizen science programme, during which the residents record the local fauna with the use of geotagged photographs.

• A call centre to report cases of stray dogs and dog bites.

• Compulsory registration of pets through the Sewa Setu portal of GMC.

• Creation of a pet crematorium, which is electric, to allow the disposal of pets in an environmentally friendly manner.

• Mass vaccination awareness and drives within the city.

One Health Approach Guides Assam’s New Urban Animal Welfare Strategy

• In Assam, the cases of dog bites have increased by approximately 1.5 lakh as compared to the figure of 90,000 in 2013 and demonstrate the increasing public health concerns.

• The outbreak highlights the necessity to improve animal immunisation against diseases and urban infrastructure.

• The Project Sahajeevan focuses on these concerns using a complex framework.

• It involves sterilisation, vaccination, feeding and moving of stray animals under one system.

• The government projects the project to be an example of other cities in India struggling to balance the human-animal coexistence.

• The project fits into the One Health approach, where animals are treated in a humane and sustainable manner.

Conclusion

The project of Sahajeevan can be viewed as a progressive move to make city living safer and more humane. It fosters a harmonious relationship between humans and animals by concentrating on stray dog vaccination and sterilisation, as well as community involvement. The project indicates a desire by Assam to be in line with the vision of one health, where people are safeguarded, sustainable, and live responsibly in Guwahati.