ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA - GOVERNANCE
News: Animal
Welfare Board withdraws circular on ‘Cow Hug Day’
What's in the news?
● The
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has withdrawn its appeal urging people to
celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’.
Key takeaways:
● On
February 8, the AWBI had appealed to the public to celebrate February 14, a day which is observed as
Valentine’s Day in many parts of the world, as Cow Hug Day.
● The
appeal invited criticism from farmer's organizations and trade unions that such
a circular was against the promotion of scientific temper.
● Union
Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala had
supported such a move and said that the country has a tradition of worshipping
cows.
● However,
farmer's organizations and trade unions had questioned the logic of such an
appeal that claimed hugging cows will bring “emotional richness” and will
increase “individual and collective happiness.”
● Hence,
the AWBI has withdrawn its appeal to the
people.
Animal Welfare Board of India:
● It
was established in 1962.
● It
is a statutory body established
under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
● The
Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
Headquarters: Faridabad, Haryana.
Objectives:
● Conservation
and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife.
● Protection
of the environment.
● Ensuring
the welfare of animals.
Administrative Control:
● The
Animal Welfare Board of India works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Functions:
● The
Animal Welfare Board of India recognizes
and provides financial assistance to the recognized Animal Welfare Organizations
(AWOs).
● The
Board provides financial assistance to AWOs 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.
● It
frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere.