Under Article 246(3) of the Constitution of India, matters related to the preservation, protection and improvement of livestock, prevention of animal diseases and veterinary training fall under the State List, granting states exclusive legislative powers. Additionally, Article 243(W) entrusts local bodies with responsibilities such as managing cattle pounds and pinjrapoles. States may empower Panchayats to establish and manage Cattle Pounds (Kanji Houses) or Gaushala Shelters as community assets to house stray cattle. Many states have already established Gaushalas and shelter houses to feed and care for such animals.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission being implemented by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is promoting sex-sorted semen technology in artificial insemination, aiming to reduce the number of male cattle over time. Unproductive female animals also can be used as surrogate mothers through Embryo Transfer Technology to produce calves.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) also provides funding for shelter houses, ambulance services for animal rescue and treatment and assistance during natural disasters.

The management of stray animals is largely undertaken by Gaushalas, Panjra Poles, Kanji Houses, and NGOs. Funding for their maintenance is sourced from these organizations and some states supplement this with budgetary assistance or special taxes.

State governments, within their mandate, assist in establishing shelters for stray animals. AWBI also supports recognized Animal Welfare Organizations in setting up shelters. Furthermore, states and UTs were requested vides a letter dated 27.03.2023 to allocate land and facilities for infirmaries and shelters under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2001.

This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

 

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