Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Context: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) will host the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to honor individuals and organizations for exceptional contributions to animal welfare.
About Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI):
• What is AWBI?
• AWBI is a statutory body established to promote animal welfare and prevent cruelty to animals in India.
• It serves as an advisory body to the Central and State Governments on animal welfare laws and enforcement measures.
• Headquarters: Ballabhgarh, Haryana.
• Established in: 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• Administered by: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India.
• History & Evolution:
• Founded under the guidance of Rukmini Devi Arundale, a prominent animal rights activist.
• Has expanded its functions over the decades to include awareness programs, policy advisory roles, and financial aid for animal welfare organizations.
• Powers & Functions: Advisory Role: Recommends amendments to animal welfare laws and advises the Central & State Governments on cruelty prevention measures. Animal Welfare Programs: Monitors shelters, rescue homes, and sanctuaries, provides financial aid to Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs), and encourages Pinjarapoles for old and sick animals. Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, oversees District SPCAs, and supervises animal treatment in slaughterhouses and transport. Legal Enforcement: Assists in prosecuting offenders, coordinates with State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs), and prevents illegal animal trade and abuse. Man-Animal Conflict Resolution: Monitors human-wildlife conflicts and promotes humane solutions to protect both animals and local communities.
• Advisory Role: Recommends amendments to animal welfare laws and advises the Central & State Governments on cruelty prevention measures.
• Animal Welfare Programs: Monitors shelters, rescue homes, and sanctuaries, provides financial aid to Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs), and encourages Pinjarapoles for old and sick animals.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, oversees District SPCAs, and supervises animal treatment in slaughterhouses and transport.
• Legal Enforcement: Assists in prosecuting offenders, coordinates with State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs), and prevents illegal animal trade and abuse.
• Man-Animal Conflict Resolution: Monitors human-wildlife conflicts and promotes humane solutions to protect both animals and local communities.