Animal Welfare Board of India – National Environmental Organisation

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Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

  • Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country and headquartered at Ballabhgarh in Haryana
  • It was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian with its Headquaters was at Chennai.
  • The first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world, was set up in 1962, under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960).
  • The law criminalizes cruelty to animals.
  • The statutory advisory body advising the Government of India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying).
  • The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.

Functions of Animal Welfare Board of India

  • To keep the law in force in India for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals under constant study and to advise the government on the amendments to be undertaken in any such law from time to time.
  • To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the Prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals, in terms of the provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
  • To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden on draught animals.
  • The construction of sheds, water troughs and the formation or establishment of Pinjarapoles, rescue homes, animals shelters, sanctuaries where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become old and useless or when they need protection.
  • To advise the Government or any local authority or other person in the design of slaughter houses or the maintenance of slaughter houses or in connection with slaughter of animals.
  • To take all such steps to ensure that unwanted animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever it is necessary to do so, either instantaneously or after being rendered insensible to pain or suffering.
  • To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention which may be provided in animal hospitals.
  • To give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board thinks it necessary to do so.
  • To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opinion.

Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs)

  • The Board grants recognition to the newly started Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs).
  • To provide grants and financial assistance to the recognised Animal Welfare Organizations under various schemes viz. Regular Grant, Cattle Rescue Grant, Provision of Shelter House for looking after the Animals, Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme, Provision of Ambulance for the animals in distress and Natural Calamity grant.
  • The Board has framed certain guidelines according to which the AWO has to submit the registration certificate under the Societies Registration Act or Trust Act.

 

 

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