LUCKNOW, Nov. 10 -- The state is gearing up to incorporate new measures suggested by the Supreme Court in its recent order on stray dogs' management and their removal from schools, hospitals, transport hubs, parks and sports complexes. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had issued guidelines for creating feeding zones which was being implemented till now but now after the November 7 apex court order, the authorities are set to come out with new guidelines. The state urban development department has been assigned the task of coordinating with the animal husbandry department to draft detailed guidelines aimed at ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court's order. On Friday, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria ordered all states and Union territories (UTs) that all stray dogs currently on these premises must be captured, sterilised and vaccinated. The apex court categorically ruled that these dogs cannot be released back into the same areas after sterilisation, observing that doing so would "frustrate the very purpose" of securing such premises and addressing public safety concerns. It further directed to identify, within two weeks, all public and private educational and medical institutions, sports facilities, bus depots and railway stations. These areas are to be secured-preferably through fencing or boundary walls-within eight weeks to prevent stray animal intrusion. The order also mandates that nodal officers be appointed for surveillance of these premises and that municipal and panchayat authorities conduct inspections for at least three months, reporting their progress to the court. In response, the UP urban development department has initiated consultations with the animal husbandry department, municipal corporations and district administrations to formulate a state-level action plan. Senior officials confirmed that the guidelines will emphasise three key areas: creation of permanent shelters for dogs, strengthening of sterilization and vaccination infrastructure, and establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance. An official of the urban development department preferring anonymity said, "Currently, Lucknow's temporary shelters can accommodate only around 600 dogs, spread across two locations, a fraction of the city's estimated stray dog population." The official said the Supreme Court's order will require a significant expansion in infrastructure. Permanent shelters will need to be constructed in various districts and funds will have to be earmarked for their operation and maintenance. "Unlike stray cattle enclosures, which are relatively static, dog shelters require more space, fencing, and proper veterinary facilities," said the urban development department official said. "Given the scarcity of land within city limits, new enclosures will likely be established in rural areas." Municipal bodies across the state have also been asked to start identifying high-density stray zones and prepare for capture operations. The animal husbandry department is expected to lead sterilization and vaccination campaigns in collaboration with veterinary colleges and recognised animal welfare organisations. The upcoming guidelines will also outline standard operating procedures for dog handling, medical care and rehabilitation, ensuring that the animals are managed in accordance with animal welfare laws. "Our focus is to balance public safety with compassion," an official said, Once the draft guidelines are prepared, they will be implemented by municipal corporations and local bodies. Chief veterinary officer, Lucknow Municipal Corporation, Dr Abhinav Varma said , "The municipal corporation will follow the guidelines and will act as directed by the authorities." Additional municipal commissioner, animal welfare, Dr Arvind Rao said, "As directed, the animal birth control will be fastened and more dogs would be sterilized in a phased manner." Meanwhile, the Bahraich district administration has accelerated its sterilization and awareness efforts. Bahraich chief veterinary officer Dr Rajesh Upadhyay said under the ongoing drive, a total of 1,789 dogs have been sterilised so far across the district....