Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI): Role, Functions & Responsibilities

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory advisory body on animal welfare laws and promotes animal welfare in the country. Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960), the Animal Welfare Board of India was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, with its headquarters at Chennai.

Role

Ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, providing grants to Animal Welfare Organizations, and advising the Government of India on animal welfare issues.

The Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 50 years. The Board consists of 28 members. The term of office for members is 3 years.

Functions

• 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 Central Government on the making of rules under the Act with a view to preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally, and more particularly when they are being transported from one place to another, when they are used as performing animals, or when they are kept in captivity or confinement.
• To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to reduce the burden on draught animals.
• To take all such steps as the Board may think fit for the amelioration of animals by encouraging or providing for the construction of sheds, water troughs, and the like, and by providing veterinary assistance to animals.
• To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on the design or maintenance of slaughterhouses, or in connection with the slaughter of animals, so that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is eliminated in the preslaughter stages as far as possible, and animals are killed, wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as possible.
• To take all such steps as the Board may think fit 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 encourage, by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, the formation or establishment of Pinjarapoles, rescue homes, animal shelters, sanctuaries, and the like, where animals and birds may find shelter when they have become old and useless or when they need protection.
• To cooperate with and coordinate the work of associations or bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals or for the protection of animals and birds.
• To give financial and other assistance to Animal Welfare Organizations functioning in any local area or to encourage the formation of Animal Welfare Organizations in any local area, which shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the Board.
• To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention that may be provided in animal hospitals, and to give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board thinks it is necessary to do so.
• To impart 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 on animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures, books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions, and the like.
• To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the prevention of the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.