Kalpana Palkhiwala

“The greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. — Mahatma Gandhi

The Animal Welfare Fortnight is celebrated every year to sensitise the Animal Lovers, representatives of the Animal Welfare Organisations, Animal Welfare Activists, all Government officials related to animal care and welfare to dedicate their contributions and their services in the field of animal welfare. Initially, the Animal Welfare Fortnight was started during the Chairmanship of Smt. Rukumini Devi Arundale, Founder Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) as a celebration of animal awareness week during the Pongal festival celebrated in South India. The first celebration of Animal Awareness Week was arranged in the year 1964 and then after few years it has converted into a fortnight celebrations.

During the celebration, the AWOs/SPCAs conducts the programmes on Humane Education like rescue of animals, starting of animal shelters, closing mini zoos, distribution of pamphlet on animal laws and rules, feeding of birds and animals, planting of bird friendly trees, anti-plastic bag campaigns, arranging veterinary camps etc.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was set up in 1962 under Provision of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 for the prevention of cruelty and providing welfare measures for animals. The AWBI imparts education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opinion against the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures, books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions etc. The Animal Welfare Board of India has completed 47 years of dedicated service in the promotion of Animal Welfare.

Four Central Sector Schemes (CSS) are being implemented by the Animal Welfare Board of India and under the Scheme for Shelter House for looking after the animals, the organizations has to establish and maintain shelter houses for distressed animals in the country. Under CSS, the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) are given grants for construction of boundary walls, shelter, water tank, drains, in-house Dispensary, medical equipment, contingencies etc. for a maximum grant of Rs.22.50 lakhs excluding 10% of contribution from AWOs. During the year 2008-09, the Board had released a grant of Rs.107.92 lakhs to 121 AWOs under the Shelter House Scheme

The Scheme for Animal Birth Control (ABC) & Immunization of Stray Dogs is for controlling the population of stray dogs by sterilization and reducing incidences of rabies by immunization. Non-Governmental Organizations and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals working in collaboration with local bodies are eligible for this grant. Under this scheme financial assistance is given @Rs.370/- per dog for pre & post operative care, including medicines and Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV); and Rs.75/- per dog for catching and relocation of the dog. The grant-in-aid for ABC is to be released in two installments. Under the ABC scheme, grant of Rs.361.55 lakhs was released to 68 AWOs/Local Bodies.

Under the Scheme for Provision of Ambulance Services to Animals in Distress, the animal welfare organizations are given grants for purchase of suitable vehicles for transportation, rescue and also for providing emergency services to animals in distress. Non-Governmental Organizations are assisted to the extent of 90% of the cost of a suitable vehicle and equipment and fitting thereon.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, releases grants-in-aid to the Animal Welfare Board of India for the various schemes being implemented for the welfare of animals.The Board has granted recognition to 2660 Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) up to the year 2008-09.

The Board is providing free, on the spot veterinary treatment to sick and injured animals belonging to poor people through its Mobile Animal Clinic (MAC) programme operating from the Headquarters at Chennai. The Veterinary Surgeon of the Board visits the pre-determined localities in the city where the animal population is concentrated to treat the animals free of charge during forenoons as per a fixed schedule.

Under Rule 3 of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, the Board is the prescribed authority to issue registration certificates. During the year viz. 2008-09, 547 Films/Ad films were granted registration certificates and 773 have been granted pre-shoot permission for using animals in their films.

Cruelty towards animals has always been given priority by the Board and a total of 110 cruelty cases were reported last year. The Animal Welfare Board of India launched a training programme on ABC/AR technique for the technical workers of various Animal Welfare Organization at the National Institute of Animal Welfare. This programme was launched jointly by Vets Beyond Border, Australia and the Ministry of Environment and Forests/NIAW at Ballabgarh, Haryana in February, 2009.

The Animal Welfare Board of India has taken initiative for modernizing the gaushalas through in-house training of gaushalas personnel. The training programs focus on Bio-gas generation and production of Methane gas for fuel, electricity generation, vermin-compost (bio-fertilisers) and bio-pesticide production, generation of electricity from draught power, organic farming, water harvesting, plantation of medicinal herbs, and local breed improvement. Thus, to make the gaushalas self-sustaining, they were motivated by the efforts of AWBI, to make the best use of their huge biomass and also serve as nodal centers of training for farmers.

Besides, cow dung and cow urine can also be utilized for preparation of various medicines for treatment. Such an initiative, if implemented on a large scale can not only generate rural employment but also help the gaushalas to survive as self-sustaining animal welfare institutions.

This year, Shri Gaushala Association, Safidon, Mandi, Haryana is leading the campaign to create awareness and sensitize the public towards preventing cruelties to animals.The rally was flagged off from Delhi and will visit the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.